Why did you switch?

[katesmom]

A little about myself:
I call myself non-denominational, but I am technically a Catholic. Well, I was baptized in the Catholic church when I was 5 mo old, so I guess that considers me a Catholic. I have 2 of the 7 Catholic sacraments. I married in the Catholic Church two years ago. We baptized our daughter in the Catholic Church too.

I never really attended the Catholic church except for weddings, funerals, and ocassionaly at Christmas & Easter. When we were children, we werent expected to go to Church, except when we went to my dads every other weekend. He church-hopped so Ive been to Pentecostal, Baptist, Protestant, etc...My father is now non-denominational.

I am curious why some of you chose to attend or switch to non-denominational churches, because I am definetly leaning towards that direction

My biggest reason for wanting to switch is all the sacraments required of me in the Catholic Church. I understand that the sacraments are special occasions for experiencing God's saving presence. I also understand that tradition tells us that all of the sacraments were instituted by Christ. Each has a real foundation in the life and ministry of Jesus.

The seven sacraments of the Catholic religion include

1.) Baptism --For Catholics, the Sacrament of Baptism is the first step in a lifelong journey of commitment and discipleship. Whether we are baptized as infants or adults, Baptism is the Church's way of celebrating and enacting the embrace of God.

2.) Eucharist - Catholics believe the Eucharist, or Communion, is both a sacrifice and a meal. We believe in the real presence of Jesus, who died for our sins. As we receive Christ's Body and Blood, we also are nourished spiritually and brought closer to God.

3.) Reconciliation --the Catholic Sacrament of Reconciliation (also known as the Sacrament of Penance, or Penance and Reconciliation) has three elements: conversion, confession and celebration. In it we find God's unconditional forgiveness, and as a result we are called to forgive others.

4.) Confirmation--Confirmation is a Catholic sacrament of mature Christian commitment and a deepening of baptismal gifts. Like Baptism and Eucharist, it is a Sacrament of Initiation for Catholics and a Sacrament of faith in God's fidelity to us.

5.) Marriage--For Catholics, the Sacrament of Marriage, or Holy Matrimony, is a public sign that one gives oneself totally to this other person. It is also a public statement about God: the loving union of husband and wife speaks of family values and also God's values.

6.) Holy Orders --In the Sacrament of Holy Orders, or Ordination, the priest being ordained vows to lead other Catholics by bringing them the sacraments (especially the Eucharist), by proclaiming the Gospel, and by providing other means to holiness.

7.) Annointing the Sick--The Catholic sacrament of Anointing of the Sick, formerly known as Last Rites or Extreme Unction, is a ritual of healing appropriate not only for physical but also for mental and spiritual sickness.


Im eager to hear your answers. Thanks

[vinki]

I guess I am Catholic too on my fathers side yet other than childhood confirmation we attended church occasionaly only. We always dreaded Christmas Mass cause dad would show up late, guaranteed to be **** faced and make a spectacle out of himself and our family. So our lives had very little in the way of religion or spiritual experience. Along the road of life I decided to go to the one who made the stars, not the ones who read the stars. I decided if there was a God he did mot need middlemen to explain Him to me. That led me to the foot of the cross where I met my savior. Now although others may feel a need for the religion, my walk with God is based on what Christ did for me. That breaks down every wall of religion. I don't know that I am even non-denominational, I say that because I do not claim any one religion. I am glad for this site which is a means of fellowship for me.I have a good friend who is also Catholic and have been encouraging her to come on line. She has alot of questions about the inclusion of Catholic brothers and sisters as she often feels outside of the circle because of the intolerance of others (non-catholics). We may have our differences but He is our peace, He has broken down everey wall! God bless you.

[PJSmile]

Hi,

I originally grew up in the Lutheran faith and had a fairly active church life growing up. Through Jr. & Sr. High, I was very active in youth group and became a peer leader.

In college, I floundered for a while but did become active in several outreach programs which helped me stay closer to my faith.

After College, I really floundered, became depressed and missed all my friends. The church I grew up in had a small group of 20 & 30 somethings but nobody was really close. I was also seeing a lot of hipocracy within the Lutheran church that didn't ring true to the word of God.

While I was taking Karate lessons, I met a couple that reached out and invited me to their church. Originally, I started going to the non-denominational church because it had a huge singles ministry. But I guickly became involved, became a member and started to really understand what they were saying about having a personal relationship with Christ. I also loved the contemporary, upbeat and relevant messages that they were sharing. The services had much more meaning for me and really spoke to me.

If you're spiritual needs are not being met in the Catholic faith, you really should consider looking outside your faith at another Christian organization. I love the non-denominational because it doesn't really look at your background but encourages you to develop a personal relationship with Christ.

On that note, I will mention that probably 2/3rds of those attending my church are either from a Catholic or Lutheran background.

Pam

[JesusFreak877]

**

[Highland Watchman]

:wave:

For me, I was not raised in the church, so I really didn't have any denominational loyalty from childhood to bring forward into my adulthood, when I became a Christian (getting close to the 6 1/2 year mark...)

Actually, I think that one of the reasons why I did stay away for as long as I did, and why my family still wants nothing to do with the Church, is the division that is caused by hyper-loyalty to a specific denomination.

Before I went to Bible College, I was part of, and baptized in as Baptist church, though I had a lot of friends in the local Pentecostal church, which there were some in both camps who did not trust me because of my "hopping"... I guess I already was non-denominational even then, for when anyone asks what I am, I always tell them I'm Christian, through and through. Like what Paul illustrates in 1 Corinthians 1... It is neither Paul, nor Apollos, nor Peter whom I follow. I respect each of them, just as I respect the history and teaching of various legitimate denominations... but when it all comes down to it, it is Christ whom I follow.

[New_Wineskin]

I am curious why some of you chose to attend or switch to non-denominational churches, because I am definetly leaning towards that direction


The Lord led me away from the Catholic organization .

[Entertaining_Angels]

I grew up in both a catholic and 'word of faith' household. Like New_Wineskin, the Lord led me away from the catholic church almost a decade ago. During the last few years, He has been working on my 'word of faith' background and has COMPLETELY led me away from those teachings. By far, dealing with the wof stuff was much more difficult than dealing with my former teachings in the catholic church. But, as time goes on, He shows me a little more and then a little more.

God is good. Trust Him!

[NacDan]

My main reason was to get away from the legalism of most denominations....

[kingzjewel]

i hate religion and binding traditions. i hate when God is stuffed in the box and not allowed to flow.

[GW_in_04]

denomination get too political and tie God into one way of thinking....doctrine is good but when you bascially limit God you place Him and Christians into a box...I grew up in the Free methodist church, went to a baptist grade school, and went to Assemblies of God High School and College....all believe "their way" was the right way....biggest thing I like about non denom is there is far less politics involved where I am now....and the pastors as a whole are very open to change and dont have to "ask permission" from a conference or regional leader to do so. Denominations divide the Christian faith too much if you ask me...and that is clearly was Paul was soo angry at in many of his letters to early churches.