Why are Catholics leaving the church to join evangelical movements?

Great article!

May I suggest the book "The Chruching of America?" It is a very well written and extremely well documented history of American church attendance from the Revolution to 1990 when it came out.

The sub title is "Winners and Losers in Our Religious Economy," and it gives some very interesting answers to the question of this article.

@ lensman67
Great article!

May I suggest the book "The Chruching of America?" It is a very well written and extremely well documented history of American church attendance from the Revolution to 1990 when it came out.

The sub title is "Winners and Losers in Our Religious Economy," and it gives some very interesting answers to the question of this article.

Thank-you Lensman.
That would be an interesting book.
Since I am not Catholic I don't know why so many are leaving.
A reason that I could think of is those that are leaving are tired or bored with the rituals of the services. With the Pentecostals and other charismatic churches there is much more emotion and freedom of worship.

@ Cynthia T. [Picasso]
Thank-you Lensman.
That would be an interesting book.
Since I am not Catholic I don't know why so many are leaving.
A reason that I could think of is those that are leaving are tired or bored with the rituals of the services. With the Pentecostals and other charismatic churches there is much more emotion and freedom of worship.

Actually it is the rituals of the services that they miss the most following Vatican II. That and the rather lax religious discipline that has crept in since those days. Many people want their religious experience to demand more of them.

Anyway the book is a good read but if you check it out of the library and do not want to do the whole thing the last couple of chapters can be skimmed with very good effect. The conclusions will also help your (or any other) church attract and keep parishioners.

@ lensman67
Actually it is the rituals of the services that they miss the most following Vatican II. That and the rather lax religious discipline that has crept in since those days. Many people want their religious experience to demand more of them.

Anyway the book is a good read but if you check it out of the library and do not want to do the whole thing the last couple of chapters can be skimmed with very good effect. The conclusions will also help your (or any other) church attract and keep parishioners.

I guess that I do not care for rituals but like more freedom. I do want demands put on me that way I feel it keeps me from becoming stagnant and complacient.

good and interesting post, picasso...i'm not very religious myself, but find religion and religious issues very interesting...

has anyone read The Stillborn God, by Mark Lilla? I've been meaning to pick that up...

Good post, they should find out the root causes and try to correct it.

It seems to me that there are a lot of people that go to church that do change where they worship and also change to another religion for various reasons.

The size of many churches can change due to many factors.

One is if the members become dissatisfied with the pastor and /or leadership of the church they will find another church to worship in. If they have many friends in that church they will all start attending the new found church. Which could have a significant change to the numbers of both churches which can lead to problems to both churches.

I was raised both in a Catholic and Protestant household, and I can't say why people are leaving the Catholic religion. Personally, I find that Catholic services are too dry and too boring...not that I want to hear a Hellfire and brimstone service. But I do know that the Protestant religion is not as strict or severe in it's beliefs or teachings...IMO.

As an Eastern Orthodox (Greek) member married to a Catholic and attending both church sermons, I can say that the charisma is what is lacking from the pastoral leaders in what would retain attendance in both churches. This is not the case at all the churches of both denominations. The pastor is what is able to capture attendees interest. There is too much out there on TV and the internet that grabs our attention. So, I think charisma does keep the people interested and full attendance. I have attended an evangelical wake, and I tell you, it was inclusive and hilarious to an extent. I can see how this would work.
Effective pastors don't read only from the bible but speak to everyday current events that relate to our lives and personal experiences, that keeps them coming. The strict part can be overlooked with charisma.

@ cirquo
As an Eastern Orthodox (Greek) member married to a Catholic and attending both church sermons, I can say that the charisma is what is lacking from the pastoral leaders in what would retain attendance in both churches. This is not the case at all the churches of both denominations. The pastor is what is able to capture attendees interest. There is too much out there on TV and the internet that grabs our attention. So, I think charisma does keep the people interested and full attendance. I have attended an evangelical wake, and I tell you, it was inclusive and hilarious to an extent. I can see how this would work.
Effective pastors don't read only from the bible but speak to everyday current events that relate to our lives and personal experiences, that keeps them coming. The strict part can be overlooked with charisma.

You've hit that right on the head, cirquo! That's true...it's the charisma that keeps people coming and being able to teach about the Bible within the confines of our current day-to-day lives.

@ Debra Myers (skyangel)
I was raised both in a Catholic and Protestant household, and I can't say why people are leaving the Catholic religion. Personally, I find that Catholic services are too dry and too boring...not that I want to hear a Hellfire and brimstone service. But I do know that the Protestant religion is not as strict or severe in it's beliefs or teachings...IMO.

I do not care for the hellfire and brimstone preaching and someone yelling and trying to scare everyone.

I went to an Ash Wed. service once with one of my sisters.
I have also been to a couple of weddings at a Catholic church. They are a lot different from any Protestant service that I have ever been to.

@ Cynthia T. [Picasso]
I do not care for the hellfire and brimstone preaching and someone yelling and trying to scare everyone.

I went to an Ash Wed. service once with one of my sisters.
I have also been to a couple of weddings at a Catholic church. They are a lot different from any Protestant service that I have ever been to.

Yes, the services are very different between the two religions. The first time I ever stepped foot in a Baptist church, was down in NC when I was 17. That church was so awesome and the people were so kind and wanted to meet the "Yankee"!!! LOL!

@ cirquo
As an Eastern Orthodox (Greek) member married to a Catholic and attending both church sermons, I can say that the charisma is what is lacking from the pastoral leaders in what would retain attendance in both churches. This is not the case at all the churches of both denominations. The pastor is what is able to capture attendees interest. There is too much out there on TV and the internet that grabs our attention. So, I think charisma does keep the people interested and full attendance. I have attended an evangelical wake, and I tell you, it was inclusive and hilarious to an extent. I can see how this would work.
Effective pastors don't read only from the bible but speak to everyday current events that relate to our lives and personal experiences, that keeps them coming. The strict part can be overlooked with charisma.

Thank-you cirquo and welcome to DJ.

I also believe that sermons should relate to our everyday lives.

@ Debra Myers (skyangel)
Yes, the services are very different between the two religions. The first time I ever stepped foot in a Baptist church, was down in NC when I was 17. That church was so awesome and the people were so kind and wanted to meet the "Yankee"!!! LOL!

I have been in one or two Baptist churches that are not friendly. I would say though most are friendly.
The one that I am a member of new comers are greeted very warmly and made to feel welcome.

@ Cynthia T. [Picasso]
I have been in one or two Baptist churches that are not friendly. I would say though most are friendly.
The one that I am a member of new comers are greeted very warmly and made to feel welcome.

That's the way I think church should be...friendly and welcoming. To me, that's the essence of being a Christian.

Picasso - thank you for a very informative and insightful article. I know very little about the Catholic faith, but I appreciate knowing information like this as we can all learn from others.

@ Debra Myers (skyangel)
That's the way I think church should be...friendly and welcoming. To me, that's the essence of being a Christian.

I agree Sky and if a church wants to grow they must first show themselves as being friendly.

I am of the opinion that people are leaving the Catholic Church and moving over to the Pentecostal because of the cult like emotional hype that surrounds those kinds of churches.

@ Ed Boston
Picasso - thank you for a very informative and insightful article. I know very little about the Catholic faith, but I appreciate knowing information like this as we can all learn from others.

Thank-you Cyber Pastor.
I don't know a lot about the Catholic faith but thought this was interesting when I saw.

@ Samantha A. Torrence
I am of the opinion that people are leaving the Catholic Church and moving over to the Pentecostal because of the cult like emotional hype that surrounds those kinds of churches.

Since you and I have had similar experiences with the charismatics I agree with you Am

Why are Catholics leaving the church to join evangelical movements?
This is happening only in the Roman Catholic Churches. The members of the Church have not been aware of the Bible for ages. The Roman Catholics used to only say the Rosary more often than anything else and their beliefs where only based more on St mary, and all the other saints. The Roman Catholic priests, or Fathers as they are usually called used to force each and every family to marry only into the Roman Catholic community, if ever they married out of the community they where forced to make sure that their children become Roman Catholics. Since recent year they have introduced the Bible in their Churches but that is a little different to the Bibles used by the Protestant congregation, and the Pentecostal congregation. The Protestant congregation are taught the Bible from day one when the child starts going to Sunday School. The Pentecostal Churches also follow the same tradition. Even now the Roman Catholics have Catechism classes but they concentrate more on "Mother Mary" rather that the main Saviour Jesus Christ.. If Jesus Christ did not come in to the world and die on the cross for our sins then just think about it. What a desolate future we would have living in sin all the days of our lives with out redemption.

@ Llewellyn Harris
Why are Catholics leaving the church to join evangelical movements?
This is happening only in the Roman Catholic Churches. The members of the Church have not been aware of the Bible for ages. The Roman Catholics used to only say the Rosary more often than anything else and their beliefs where only based more on St mary, and all the other saints. The Roman Catholic priests, or Fathers as they are usually called used to force each and every family to marry only into the Roman Catholic community, if ever they married out of the community they where forced to make sure that their children become Roman Catholics. Since recent year they have introduced the Bible in their Churches but that is a little different to the Bibles used by the Protestant congregation, and the Pentecostal congregation. The Protestant congregation are taught the Bible from day one when the child starts going to Sunday School. The Pentecostal Churches also follow the same tradition. Even now the Roman Catholics have Catechism classes but they concentrate more on "Mother Mary" rather that the main Saviour Jesus Christ.. If Jesus Christ did not come in to the world and die on the cross for our sins then just think about it. What a desolate future we would have living in sin all the days of our lives with out redemption.

Thank-you Llewellyn Harris for your comment. I do agree with you.

One of my sisters married a Catholic many years ago. She did have to agree that she would raise their children as Catholics.
My brother-in-law became discouraged with the Catholic church and stopped going many years ago.

@ Cynthia T. [Picasso]
Thank-you Llewellyn Harris for your comment. I do agree with you.

One of my sisters married a Catholic many years ago. She did have to agree that she would raise their children as Catholics.
My brother-in-law became discouraged with the Catholic church and stopped going many years ago.

As did my dad and his side of the family. All of them were Roman Catholics.

Romans soldiers are the ones that crucified Jesus Christ and hung him on a cross. The Roman High Priest gave the order to crucify Jesus Christ so where is Christianity in the Roman Catholic Church of today without Jesus Christ there is no Christianity. And they are still going on crucifying him with their practices and beliefs. It must have really pained him to see that even after He (Jesus Christ) paying such a high price they are not ready to accept him as their Lord and Savior. They adore Mother Mary instead and say their rosary more than ten to fifteen times a day and by the time they are ninety they know it by heart and just say it without even thinking has to what it means. They hardly ever read their Bible or say really meaning full prays. The Pope is the leader of the Roman Catholic church and he is equally responsible for crucifying Jesus Christ every day of his life. The reason being that the Bible says that we should not bow down to any graven images but we see many graven images in the Roman Catholic Church of today and Saint are given more adoration than Jesus Christ who paid the price for all our sins. When are these mistakes that are made going to be corrected? I think that if it is not done soon enough their will be no Roman Catholics in Heaven. Many people will Join God the Father and Jesus Christ in Heaven from other nations but we will find no Roman Catholics in Heaven. The confession is another issue that needs to be stopped . How can a Father of a Roman Catholic Church hear the confession of a layman is the Father of the Roman Catholic church a sinner also is he given God divine grace to Forgive sins on this earth? The Bible clearly states that only one and only one Person was given that authority and that was God son Jesus Christ and no other person. So why confess to a Father of a church who will unnecessary gossip to his friends about your sins and think himself to be righteous. A confession is made by a person to the father regarding a murder that he had committed do you think the father of the Roman catholic church will keep quiet about it, he will definately go to the police and inform them about the murder. Now tell me where is forgiveness. Otherwise the Father of the Church might keep it quiet and tell the Person who had confessed that he should say Three Hail Mary's and go on his way. A lot of things have to change in the Roman Catholic Church and they have to do it before it is to late otherwise they will have good lives on this earth, but whether they will get to Heaven is going to be a big question? Why are they bothered about the congregation moving from one denomination to another why can't they correct themselves first before pointing their fingures at any other denomination. People are beginning to see the truth and the truth is setting them free form the clutches of sin and they are accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour of their lives. Instead of worshiping graven images and Mother Mary and all the Saints.

Why are Catholics leaving the church to join evangelical movements?
This is a true story that had happened some year ago. The Father of the Roman Catholic church was conducting service and during the service some police officals entered the church and where creating disturbances. So the Father called them aside and ask them what is the problem and they told him that a thief had escaped and they had seen him entering the church. The Father told the police officals that he knows all his congregation members as they go to him for regular confession. The Father said that I will ask the new comer in the Church to stand up as I would like to invite him to take part in the service of the church, and then after to a confession, and the person who stands up the police can arrest him and take him to prison, and it so happened as the Father of the church had said. One Person stood up and the police officials arrested him and took him to the Police station and kept him in lockup for a couple of days. The truth of the matter is that the person who was lockup was really not the culprit as the police had investigated the fingerprints and found out that they had arrested an innocent person instead. Just think about it confession is confusion and see how easily the father of the church mislead the Police officals.
The Father is supposed to be a representative of God and our Lord Jesus Christ how could he be in a hurry and make such a big mistake.

@ Llewellyn Harris
Why are Catholics leaving the church to join evangelical movements?
This is a true story that had happened some year ago. The Father of the Roman Catholic church was conducting service and during the service some police officals entered the church and where creating disturbances. So the Father called them aside and ask them what is the problem and they told him that a thief had escaped and they had seen him entering the church. The Father told the police officals that he knows all his congregation members as they go to him for regular confession. The Father said that I will ask the new comer in the Church to stand up as I would like to invite him to take part in the service of the church, and then after to a confession, and the person who stands up the police can arrest him and take him to prison, and it so happened as the Father of the church had said. One Person stood up and the police officials arrested him and took him to the Police station and kept him in lockup for a couple of days. The truth of the matter is that the person who was lockup was really not the culprit as the police had investigated the fingerprints and found out that they had arrested an innocent person instead. Just think about it confession is confusion and see how easily the father of the church mislead the Police officials.
The Father is supposed to be a representative of God and our Lord Jesus Christ how could he be in a hurry and make such a big mistake.

Are you ready to accept Jesus Christ right now as your Lord and Saviour even though you may be a Roman Catholic do it right now and reply to me you will definitely see a change in the way you behave and the way you treat others

@ Llewellyn Harris
Romans soldiers are the ones that crucified Jesus Christ and hung him on a cross. The Roman High Priest gave the order to crucify Jesus Christ so where is Christianity in the Roman Catholic Church of today without Jesus Christ there is no Christianity. And they are still going on crucifying him with their practices and beliefs. It must have really pained him to see that even after He (Jesus Christ) paying such a high price they are not ready to accept him as their Lord and Savior. They adore Mother Mary instead and say their rosary more than ten to fifteen times a day and by the time they are ninety they know it by heart and just say it without even thinking has to what it means. They hardly ever read their Bible or say really meaning full prays. The Pope is the leader of the Roman Catholic church and he is equally responsible for crucifying Jesus Christ every day of his life. The reason being that the Bible says that we should not bow down to any graven images but we see many graven images in the Roman Catholic Church of today and Saint are given more adoration than Jesus Christ who paid the price for all our sins. When are these mistakes that are made going to be corrected? I think that if it is not done soon enough their will be no Roman Catholics in Heaven. Many people will Join God the Father and Jesus Christ in Heaven from other nations but we will find no Roman Catholics in Heaven. The confession is another issue that needs to be stopped . How can a Father of a Roman Catholic Church hear the confession of a layman is the Father of the Roman Catholic church a sinner also is he given God divine grace to Forgive sins on this earth? The Bible clearly states that only one and only one Person was given that authority and that was God son Jesus Christ and no other person. So why confess to a Father of a church who will unnecessary gossip to his friends about your sins and think himself to be righteous. A confession is made by a person to the father regarding a murder that he had committed do you think the father of the Roman catholic church will keep quiet about it, he will definately go to the police and inform them about the murder. Now tell me where is forgiveness. Otherwise the Father of the Church might keep it quiet and tell the Person who had confessed that he should say Three Hail Mary's and go on his way. A lot of things have to change in the Roman Catholic Church and they have to do it before it is to late otherwise they will have good lives on this earth, but whether they will get to Heaven is going to be a big question? Why are they bothered about the congregation moving from one denomination to another why can't they correct themselves first before pointing their fingures at any other denomination. People are beginning to see the truth and the truth is setting them free form the clutches of sin and they are accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour of their lives. Instead of worshiping graven images and Mother Mary and all the Saints.

History note: There was no Roman High Priest.

History note: The Romans crucified Jesus only in response to Jewish demands that they do so since he was thought to be in violation of the Jewish religion not Roman. Since the Romans were the civil authorities in the area they were the only one with the power to carry out executions.

The Romans only did so with reluctance and indeed Ponchus Pilate tried to save him but when that proved impossible he carried out the sentence as the easiest way to keep the mob happy.

History note: The Catholic Church had not been invented at this time and had no connections with Roman civil authority. Christians would not have any connection with civil power until the Edict of Milan in 330 CE, issued by the Emperor Constantine, three hundred years after Jesus.

Please try to get your facts straight.

English suggestion: Discover the joy of paragraphs.

@ lensman67
History note: There was no Roman High Priest.

History note: The Romans crucified Jesus only in response to Jewish demands that they do so since he was thought to be in violation of the Jewish religion not Roman. Since the Romans were the civil authorities in the area they were the only one with the power to carry out executions.

The Romans only did so with reluctance and indeed Ponchus Pilate tried to save him but when that proved impossible he carried out the sentence as the easiest way to keep the mob happy.

History note: The Catholic Church had not been invented at this time and had no connections with Roman civil authority. Christians would not have any connection with civil power until the Edict of Milan in 330 CE, issued by the Emperor Constantine, three hundred years after Jesus.

Please try to get your facts straight.

English suggestion: Discover the joy of paragraphs.

You are right I do accept it but what about the rest of my paragraph

There are a lot of practices within the Roman Catholic religion that are not Biblical. With the internet and easy access to the Bible and other Protestant teachings Roman Catholics are finally waking up and smelling the coffee so to speak.

@ Sheba
There are a lot of practices within the Roman Catholic religion that are not Biblical. With the Internet and easy access to the Bible and other Protestant teachings Roman Catholics are finally waking up and smelling the coffee so to speak.

You are right on what you have said. And don't you think it is too late for them to wake up from their ignorance. They have only been concerned about their congregation, but are they more concerned that the congregation follow the right path that is to follow Biblical teachings that God the father and Jesus Christ lay down for all human beings to follow and not be only concerned on the number of members in their church.

@ Cynthia T. [Picasso]
I agree Sky and if a church wants to grow they must first show themselves as being friendly.

The Church is not just a building it is what makes up the Church the congregation that is called the body of Christ. should not show themselves as being friendly but they should honestly be friendly. and worthy to be trusted by all the members of the church.

@ Llewellyn Harris
The Church is not just a building it is what makes up the Church the congregation that is called the body of Christ. should not show themselves as being friendly but they should honestly be friendly. and worthy to be trusted by all the members of the church.

Unfortunately, most of the churches that I ever have stepped foot into, which was many years ago, were not friendly. In fact they people made me feel like I was intruding.

@ Debra Myers (skyangel)
Unfortunately, most of the churches that I ever have stepped foot into, which was many years ago, were not friendly. In fact they people made me feel like I was intruding.

Skyangel, I would hope that you would consider giving another church a look, especially if it's been years. Not all churches are unfriendly, and then of course you have us Cyber Pastors.

@ Ed Boston
Skyangel, I would hope that you would consider giving another church a look, especially if it's been years. Not all churches are unfriendly, and then of course you have us Cyber Pastors.

In time perhaps. Religion has been a subject that has been something that I have side-stepped since I was a child. I grew up in a home divided...my mother was Baptist and my father was Catholic.

At about 6-8 years of age, I was learning both religions: Tuesday at a Baptist time-release church school, and then on Saturdays at the Catholic Church. There I went long enough to receive my first communion.

What my mother wanted to do was to school me well enough that as an adult I would decide which religion I wished to pursue.

But the worst thing was the hatred and animosity of my dad's family towards my mother for teaching me a second religion. I learned at an early age about hypocrisy. My dad's side of the family was 'supposedly' devout Catholics...but their actions were totally opposite Mon.-Sat.

Over the years, I've not been a practicing Christian as far as attending a church. To be honest...I am not sure what I believe, and here I will leave it for now.

Sky you know, I am sure from the things that I have written, that there are friendly and very good churches. From what others have written it seems like they are hard to find.

If there is ever any time that you would just want to talk and try to explore what I believe and tell me your thoughts you have my phone number and you are always more then welcome to call me. I promise that I would never be pushy.

@ Debra Myers (skyangel)
Unfortunately, most of the churches that I ever have stepped foot into, which was many years ago, were not friendly. In fact they people made me feel like I was intruding.

__________________________________________________________________________
skyangel,
I am so sorry for you had to undergo such treatment at these churches, but believe me. Greater is He that is in you than He that is in the world.. You don't have to find a church you just have to find God and do not expect to much from people or congregations in a Church.

God loves you and if you seek him with all your heart he will definitely make himself real and true to you. Call upon his name day and night and do not get tired of calling on his name and he will come to you and abide with you.

For it is written where ever two or three are gathered in my name my presents is there. So, why look for God in a Church. You and your family members pray together every day and night and read your bible and your home will turn into a Church.

@ Cynthia T. [Picasso]
Sky you know, I am sure from the things that I have written, that there are friendly and very good churches. From what others have written it seems like they are hard to find.

If there is ever any time that you would just want to talk and try to explore what I believe and tell me your thoughts you have my phone number and you are always more then welcome to call me. I promise that I would never be pushy.

Picasso, that was very kind of you to suggest to Sky to call you. I tell you that even the Bible states that where ever two or three are gathered in my name my presents is there, so why go looking for a Church whose congregation is friendly towards you.

How could you distinguish a Church that is friendly or not. Outwardly they might appear to be friendly but inwardly they are thinking other things how do you know what they are thinking about you? I would suggest that you should start family prays and make your home into a church and see how the love will grow within your family.

Then when you go out you will be able to understand the difference. Seek God with all your heart and don't worry about finding a Church. God will start the process of finding you and giving you all that you need.

For it is written Seek he first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall come upon thee and over take thee. What God is talking about here is all the heavenly blessings.

@ Ed Boston
Skyangel, I would hope that you would consider giving another church a look, especially if it's been years. Not all churches are unfriendly, and then of course you have us Cyber Pastors.

Please give Skyangel some instruction as to how to find a friendly Church. Do you think you could do that for skyangel?

My opinion differs you don't have to go running around looking for a friendly Church. You have to go around looking for a friendly God. Have you found God have you made him the center of your life and your very existence? Think about it.

@ Debra Myers (skyangel)
In time perhaps. Religion has been a subject that has been something that I have side-stepped since I was a child. I grew up in a home divided...my mother was Baptist and my father was Catholic.

At about 6-8 years of age, I was learning both religions: Tuesday at a Baptist time-release church school, and then on Saturdays at the Catholic Church. There I went long enough to receive my first communion.

What my mother wanted to do was to school me well enough that as an adult I would decide which religion I wished to pursue.

But the worst thing was the hatred and animosity of my dad's family towards my mother for teaching me a second religion. I learned at an early age about hypocrisy. My dad's side of the family was 'supposedly' devout Catholics...but their actions were totally opposite Mon.-Sat.

Over the years, I've not been a practicing Christian as far as attending a church. To be honest...I am not sure what I believe, and here I will leave it for now.

That is very good to hear that you have been to two different Christian denominations What is your opinion about it? Where you able to find friendly people? It takes more than finding a friendly Church you are in trouble if you don't find a friendly God who listens to you, and speaks to you.

I would suggest that you put off looking for a friendly Church and start looking for Jesus Christ ,and reading your Bible daily. take it and read it slowly and let every word sink in to your brains and understand every word. The Holy spirit will start speaking to you from deep within your heart and you will be able to see things in a different light. We are your friends but the best friend to have is Jesus Christ and nobody else can take his place.

@ Cynthia T. [Picasso]
Thank-you Llewellyn Harris for your comment. I do agree with you.

One of my sisters married a Catholic many years ago. She did have to agree that she would raise their children as Catholics.
My brother-in-law became discouraged with the Catholic church and stopped going many years ago.

Picasso,
These things where forced due to the Fathers wanting to get their churches full with a big congregation, without any foundation.

The Bible speaks about this " The foolish man built his house upon the sand. The wise man built his house upon the rock and the rain came tumbling down the rains came down and the floods went up and the house upon the sand fell down. The wise man built his house upon the rock and the house stood firm. The rock of our faith is Jesus Christ and if we try to build our house leaving Jesus Christ out we are like the foolish man.

@ Llewellyn Harris
For it is written where ever two or three are gathered in my name my presents is there. So, why look for God in a Church. You and your family members pray together every day and night and read your bible and your home will turn into a Church.

To be honest with you, that is something that my mother taught me, was that I didn't need to be in a church for God to hear me, and that's one of the reasons that I have chose to stay away from churches, besides what I said above.

@ Llewellyn Harris
Please give Skyangel some instruction as to how to find a friendly Church. Do you think you could do that for skyangel?

cyberpastor and I have already had contact, but thank you for the suggestion!

@ Llewellyn Harris
That is very good to hear that you have been to two different Christian denominations What is your opinion about it? Where you able to find friendly people?

Having been brought up between to religions, was useful but at the same time taught me to question all religions, and question my own beliefs. I don't wish to go into all of it here, but I do appreciate your time and effort of saying these things to me!

@ Llewellyn Harris
Please give Skyangel some instruction as to how to find a friendly Church. Do you think you could do that for skyangel?

My opinion differs you don't have to go running around looking for a friendly Church. You have to go around looking for a friendly God. Have you found God have you made him the center of your life and your very existence? Think about it.

Actually I don't think our opinions differ at all. I know that no church is going to bring the Love of God into one's heart, but she was talking about a bad experience with a church.

I was trying to reassure her that all churches are not bad or unfriendly. I yes I believe that it's important to find a good Bible believing church to be a part of as well, which the scripture will back up.

I made personal contact with skyangel away form this thread as to not put her on the spot in front of the entire world.

So the bottom line is I think we are both on the same page or I don't know something that I should about the way you believe.

God Bless,

Pastor Ed

Llewellyn Harris what new people on DJ do not realize is for some who spend a lot of their time here that some of us have built up a "relationship" over the past many months. Many of us because we read what some say and go to their articles we have gotten to know quite a lot about each other.

I believe it is like any good relationship they have been built slowly over time. For some we have learned to trust each other. Many of us have each other's personal emails and correspond that way.
Just in the last month or so some have started exchanging telephone numbers. The first person who I asked for his phone number I was very nervous about doing so. But due to things that have taken place over the last many months I felt that I needed to talk to him and to explain something to him.

I have now talked to two different people. So I do not consider myself necessarily being "nice" to Sky I consider Sky a dear friend. I wanted her to know that I would always be willing to talk to her. She also knows quite a lot about who I am, what I do and what I believe.

If she would want to talk with Cyber Pastor of course that is her choice and I am glad to see that he has contacted her and been a help to her.

Llewellyn Harris I do thank you for your concern and may God Bless you.

Pastor Ed we got off to a bad start for which I apologize.

May God richly Bless you and your service to Him.

Cynthia

@ Cynthia T. [Picasso]
Llewellyn Harris what new people on DJ do not realize is for some who spend a lot of their time here that some of us have built up a "relationship" over the past many months. Many of us because we read what some say and go to their articles we have gotten to know quite a lot about each other.

Pastor Ed we got off to a bad start for which I apologize.

May God richly Bless you and your service to Him.

Cynthia

Cynthia, I am new to DJ, but the group of us who have recently begin posting here have the same "type of relationship" that you mention about the DJ people.

I consider some of them and some that haven't been here yet as some of my best friends in the world, and the only one of the group that I have ever personally met is Snooper.

One lady who hasn't posted here and I consider each other brother and sister and we are that tight!

I consider blogging and online work as a hugh extension of my own personal ministry. I have developed friendships with Catholics, Jews, atheists, and people from other denominations.

I was given the nic Cyber Pastor by one of my close online friends. I am not pushy, I don't try to push my personal beliefs down people's throats, but while blogging I'm not afraid to proclaim what my beliefs are - but I consider that different than Pastoring.

I'm always available, but I don't want anyone to ever feel obligated to talk with me. Email is hopecyberpastor@gmail.com .

As far as our rocky start, I thought that was all behind us, but I'm cool with everything as you say you are!

God Bless you all.

Cyber Pastor I felt that I would offer an apology as I did contact you at one time and you never did respond to the contact.
So I assumed from that you were not OK with it.

@ Cynthia T. [Picasso]
Cyber Pastor I felt that I would offer an apology as I did contact you at one time and you never did respond to the contact.
So I assumed from that you were not OK with it.

My apology - I don't hold grudges, and really am pretty easy to get along with. I forgot that I didn't respond to you, but again all is well with me!

@ Ed Boston
Actually I don't think our opinions differ at all. I know that no church is going to bring the Love of God into one's heart, but she was talking about a bad experience with a church.

I was trying to reassure her that all churches are not bad or unfriendly. I yes I believe that it's important to find a good Bible believing church to be a part of as well, which the scripture will back up.

I made personal contact with skyangel away form this thread as to not put her on the spot in front of the entire world.

So the bottom line is I think we are both on the same page or I don't know something that I should about the way you believe.

God Bless,

Pastor Ed

Picasso,
I do believe the same way you believe their is no difference with Jesus Christ. What do you really want to know ?

We are all friends here with different view points on this subject that is all, but still we are friends. I believe that Jesus Christ lives within me and I do not have to go and search for a friendly church because most of the time you will not be able to find one and this will make you a dissatisfied and unhappy Christian.

When Jesus wants to be my friend why not I accept him to be my friend and not waste time in getting acquainted with him before it is too late. And not waste my time looking for a friendly Church with friendly people. Do plese feel free to call me I am now residing in India my email address is alister 1967@yahoo.com

If your question is indeed addressed to me and not someone else there is nothing that I want to know.

I do go to church. I am in a very friendly church that preaches the gospel.

I have taught ladies Bible classes and at the present teach a Discipleship class among other things at my church.

I am also one of those Sunday morning, Sunday night and Wed. night church attenders.

Thank you for adding your email address. I am not sure if for your sake it should have been put here. I hope that you will not have any problems because of doing so.

I have exchanged emails here with quite a few but only when I got to know them, as much as you can in a forum like this, and haven't had any problems.