Flock strays from U.S. churches

Washington Times ^ | October 18, 2002 | Mark A. Kellner

[Dr. Scarpetta]

The problem with Protestant churches is that they've been taken over by liberal Democrats. Every single thing the Democrat Party believes, they believe. Being pro-choice, having no problem with Partial Birth Abortion, and ignoring the Ten Commandments have turned off decent people. A lot of people are looking for churches that actually follow the Ten Commandments.

[tiki]

I've pointed this out to our new priest numerous times already, keep it spiritual, don't nag, keep it profoundly focused on the Trinity. Forget all the PR crap, love us in spite of our faults, become part of our community, and try really hard to like us.

I was one of those Protestants who just stopped going to church. I could find no need of it. It was just me and God...I thought. I could worship him wherever I was, I didn't have to be in church. For 15 yrs the only time I saw the inside of a church was when someone died or got married. But God thought otherwise .

My 3 yrs being Catechized by friends and then my year of RCIA really cemented my belief, my understanding and my commitment to God and to the Body of Christ on earth.

[Commander8]

A great deal of why churches are shrinking is beacuse many of them are performing Godectomies on themselves, throwing out sound doctrine and replacing the King James Version with "Modern" Versions. Another thing to take into account is how the media tends to paint all of Christianity with a broad brush every time a Jimmy Bakker or Jimmy Swaggert rears his head.

[RochesterFan]

A great deal of why churches are shrinking is beacuse many of them are performing Godectomies on themselves, throwing out sound doctrine and replacing the King James Version with "Modern" Versions.

This is non-sequitur

[KennyV]

<< The problem with Protestant churches is that they've been taken over by liberal Democrats. Every single thing the Democrat Party believes, they believe. Being pro-choice, having no problem with Partial Birth Abortion, and ignoring the Ten Commandments have turned off decent people. A lot of people are looking for churches that actually follow the Ten Commandments. >>

You are painting with a very broad brush. I can't speak for other Church's, but what you said is not even remotely close to true in my Church.

[Cleburne]

Protestant churches quite often- and I've been around Southern Baptist churches all my life, and seen them quite well, as my father is a pastor- seek to "win souls", but once these souls are won (by who, we should ask) the church fails to follow up on them. "Discipleship? Who wants to do something boring like that- we might scare 'em off if we start hitting them with hard theology and Gospel! Surely peopel don't want all this revolutionary stuff- we've got to make it popular, or no one will come!" Sadly, these sorts of attitudes are not at all rare. And then, even when the pastor wishes to reach out and do what is right, he's only as effective as the congregation is willing to assist him. But many laymen have the idea that the pastor is supposed to pick up the ministry and action delegated to all believers and carry it for them. Which is why, in a church with nearly three hundred people on Sundays, ten people show up for outreach and visitation.

I suppose I could rant on more, but I don't need to. The church knows what to do, I think- I know what I'm supposed to be doing, but I am afraid to do it, or down right lazy. We- I- am content with comfortable religion: but Christ did not promise comfort! He promised peace and joy, but He did not tell us to sit about it padded pews with the AC on! He told us to expect difficulty. But- but- He is ever with us, His presence goes with us, and the Holy Spirit guides us and dwells within us. But we too often are fine with our own ideas of things and how they should be, and relegate Jesus to the place of a mere figurehead.

[CubicleGuy]

Maybe they just misunderstood the doctrine of "once saved, always saved".

Or maybe they understood it too well.

[Dr. Scarpetta]

I can't speak for other [Protestant] Church's, but what you said is not even remotely close to true in my Church.

I'm talking about the Mainline Protestant churches, like the Presbyterian. The Presbyterian Church is not against Partial-Birth abortion.

[MudPuppy]

My 13 yr old daughter and I went to Confession last night - at her request. As always, there was a line but Father stayed until all had been heard.
Today I continue to feel light as a feather with a clean soul :)
Praise God!

[Dr. Scarpetta]

Presbyterian Church(USA) medical benefits plan coverage of abortion

No exclusions for any abortion, for any reason:

The PC(USA) medical benefits plan, which is mandatory for all installed pastors, lists thirty limitations and exclusions from coverage. Abortion is not among them.

Abortion for any reason, at any time during pregnancy, is a covered service of the denomination's plan.

The coverage includes partial birth abortion; it includes abortion by means of chemicals, such as RU-486; it includes abortions for minor dependent daughters with no requirement for parental notification; it includes no requirement for medical necessity.

General Assembly Council Executive Director John Detterick, when he was President of the Board of Pensions--the PC(USA) entity that designs and administers the plan--said, "The simple fact is that the medical plan pays for elective abortions as ordinary medical payment."

Link to Presbyterians Pro-Life

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

Many are felled by a crisis of faith that sends people into agnosticism or antagonism. Others say their faith is irrelevant to their daily lives.

IMO :) the people who leave their church after being members even for yrs., especially if they leave after some crisis in their life, leave because their whole religion, belief system, faith (call it what you will) was based on their feelings, emotionalism, rather then on the actual Word of God. God never promised that the christian life would be easy. In fact quite the opposite.

Becky

[anncoulteriscool]

*****You are painting with a very broad brush. I can't speak for other Church's, but what you said is not even remotely close to true in my Church.*****

It seems like when I hear the issue of people leaving the church talked about on christian radio shows there is someone who says in response: "are you kidding me we have 3 services the parking lot is full and if ya wanna parking spot you gotta go to be there by 9:30 etc". But alot of people are leaving and i have to believe that part of it is because people are just gonna feel left out in the mega-church structure. If a person has no real close friendships in the church eventually they will probably just fall away and one day kinda find it hard to come up with a reason to get all dressed up on sunday and go to church and act the way your suppossed to act when one goes to church. Just a thot!

[computerjunkie]

Dr. Scarpetta: "The problem with Protestant churches is that they've been taken over by liberal Democrats. Every single thing the Democrat Party believes, they believe. Being pro-choice, having no problem with Partial Birth Abortion, and ignoring the Ten Commandments have turned off decent people. A lot of people are looking for churches that actually follow the Ten Commandments.

KennyV: "You are painting with a very broad brush. I can't speak for other Church's, but what you said is not even remotely close to true in my Church.

CJ: Dr. Scarpetta, maybe you shouldn't say "the problem with Protestant churches". I am a member of a Protestant church and what we are taught is also "not even remotely close" to what you say of "Protestant" churches. Maybe you should say "The problem with Presbyterian churches" is that....

[Dr. Scarpetta]

You're right. Please read my post #30. I'm talking about the Mainline Protestant Churches, like Presbyterian or United Church of Christ, which is even more liberal.

I shouldn't have left out the word MAINLINE. All the Mainline churches are facing a drastic loss of members, mainly because of the pro-choice issue, gay weddings, gay pastors, a general attitude of non-judgementalism, and political correctness.

[computerjunkie]

Thanks for the clarification! I am Protestant, but I guess it's not considered MAINLINE, because my church is DEFINITELY not liberal!

[Salvation]

win back those who have left.

We are just now starting our second series of "Catholics Can Come Home Again". The first series we had 15 people attend and nine came back to the church.

Two weeks ago when we started this one we had nine people come and it looks like they will all stay. Might have one leave.

Anyone who is interested can FReepmail me for the details about the curricula.

[Salvation]

I've pointed this out to our new priest numerous times already, keep it spiritual, don't nag, keep it profoundly focused on the Trinity. Forget all the PR crap, love us in spite of our faults, become part of our community, and try really hard to like us.

Good for you for pointing this out to your priest. Definitely concentrate on the teaching about the Holy Eucharist. We are also doing a video series every Wednesday evening (Fr. Corapi) on the Teachings of Jesus Christ -- The Catechism of the Catholic Church. Fabulous series!

[tiki]

That sounds like a good Idea. Do you know where to order the series if our diocese doesn't have it in their library?

[KennyV]

<<< . If a person has no real close friendships in the church eventually they will probably just fall away and one day kinda find it hard to come up with a reason to get all dressed up on sunday and go to church and act the way your suppossed to act when one goes to church. >>>

I'm sure that is true for many people. For many what helps this is Bible Studies, Discipleship classes, Community groups, encouraging participation in retreats, and encouraging everyone to get involved and participate.

In short, good teaching from the pulpit, with good Christian fellowship encouraged for all.

As for me, it seems this would be very difficult in a mega-church structure. I enjoy knowing most peoples names.