July 20, 2009 6:01 PM
Considering Catholicism - seeking advice
I'm getting more and more emails like this from people who think they are alone.
The truth is that many evangelicals are turning to the Catholic Church, including some close to my own heart - Dr. and Martha Sears, who recently reverted after 37 years of evangelcalism.
My point is not judging anyone who doesn't feel led in this direction - though Lord knows I am accused of attacking evangelicals for simply posting stuff like this.
My point is that people feeling led to go to Mass, to study early church history, or to attend RCIA classes need to know they are not alone, although they may indeed feel they are walking a lonely path as they deal with misunderstanding and harsh judgment.
I am happy to correspond with and pray for anyone with questions:
Dear Barbara,
I feel a little strange writing to you like this. I know that you are very busy, and you must get lots of emails, but I felt led to contact you. For about 6 months now I have been feeling led to study more about Catholicism. I am a life-long United Methodist, descending from a whole line of Methodists (though we do not attend a Methodist church now because there are none where we live). I have loved and followed Jesus since I was a young child, and wanted to come to _______ as a missionary since my first year in college. I came here 15 years ago and have been here ever since, serving with my husband as tentmakers. [independent of any mission organization]
I don't know a single Catholic believer over here in person (I know one through blogging), but my best girlfriend, and several other close friends in the US are Catholic. In spite of being brought up to believe that Catholics are very much in error in a lot of areas, I have come to see many things differently through my dear friends who are always willing to answer my questions ever so patiently, and for years have not had anything against Catholics at all. I guess my attitude has been something like, "I know there are lots of sincere, faithful Christians in the Catholic church, they are just a little off on the Mary thing.. and maybe a few others". I know that Jesus is the Lord of the lives of my dear friends, and that's all I needed to know. It has been a really long time since I have had the chance to have any of those wonderful, enlightening conversations with my friends (we haven't been back to the US in years), yet I find myself inexplicably drawn to the Catholicism.
Of course, I have had exposure to different things through wonderful Catholic blog friends, but for the most part this feeling I have been having lately seems inexplicable and from out of nowhere. I have read through your series on Evangelical to Catholic [interested readers can find this by going to my Catholicism category, scrolling to the bottom and reading forward], and I keep thinking about it, and in spite of the fact that I know without doubt that I would face many of the same attitudes and protests you did from friends and family I still feel drawn. I still want to know more. I feel like so many things that I never understood before (like the Catholic beliefs regarding praying to the saints for intercession, and the Reformation vs. one true church issue, the Eucharist, sola scriptura, etc.) suddenly make so much more sense to me. I know that some of the reason is that I have had the chance to read some great explanations on some Catholic blogs and sites, but until now I think I can safely say that I would not really have been influenced by them. There is something different now, and I am trying to discern whether or not it is God's leading. In my heart, I feel that it probably is, but it feels a little scary, and I'm not sure how to proceed. I don't suppose one could really be a closet Catholic! A Catholic at heart? Oh, boy.
I just wanted to write and ask if you would pray for me, because I felt you would understand where I am right now. I have talked to my husband about it some, and he seems to agree with a lot of the things we have discussed, but I don't think he realizes how earnestly I am searching. It seems strange to say, but I think he would seriously, prayerfully consider studying along with me if I felt really clearly that God was leading me in that direction.He became a Christian as an adult and is the only Christian in his family, so he does not have the strong ties to a particular church that I have. I have been asking God to separately lead my husband to consider Catholicism if He is truly leading us in that direction, so I listened with great interest last night as he told me about the Catholic Christians in an Asian country who survived persecution when Christianity was outlawed by going underground. They managed to pass on their faith for seven generations with no significant change or error creeping in. When the government allowed the Catholic priests back in after those long years, they were absolutely shocked to find that they had not strayed from the teaching of Catholicism in any major way at all. It is on record in documents that were sent to the Vatican at that time. We both agreed that the fact that they were Catholic, and not converts from various Protestant churches probably had a lot to do with their faith not becoming corrupted. It's an amazing story.
Anyway, that's where I am. I hope that I made some sense, and I'm sorry that was so long. I am going to push "send" now before I chicken out! If you have any suggestions or advice I would love to hear from you, but would you please at least say a prayer for me?! Thank you.
Sincerely,
Dear _______,
I am getting more and more phone calls and emails like this these days! I have felt very strongly since reverting to Catholicism almost two years ago - and meeting many evangelical converts and reverts at church - that God is creating this movement. With most of us, this call happens in spite of our own prejudice and misconceptions. And in different ways. I simply heard God tell me to go to Mass and I obeyed. We sorted things out as I sat in Mass and came to grips with misinformation and my own false assumptions.
My husband was more academic. He was so taken aback by the unexpectedly angry reaction of our evangelical friends and readers at my blog that he decided he had to find out the truth for himself. Through reading the early church fathers, he became convinced that this was indeed the true church handed down from Jesus through Peter to us.
Since I was baptized Catholic as an infant, I am considered a revert. Tripp became a convert at the Easter Vigil 2008. What a gift! And with my born-again experience 20some years ago, I must say the newness and gratitude do not leave me. I am so grateful for the church.
I think God is calling us back because the Catholic Church is where the real battle lines are drawn - as witness Obama's trying so hard to co-opt and manipulate the church - which in America is indeed filled with confused and wayward believers. But as I at first saw that with shame and disgust, Tripp had a different reaction, seeing how beautiful that the grace of the sacraments continued to draw people to church each week, putting them in touch with God through His word (I hear more Bible each week in Mass than I ever heard in an evangelical church, which usually dissected a few verses for a 45 minute sermon/opinion) and through receiving the Eucharist.
Anyway, do go to Mass. It will change you. God will speak to your heart and answer your questions (he answered my accusations and judgments too). Mass is universal. That is one of the things I loved - knowing that all over the world the church was united in hearing and contemplating the same scriptures each week.
I really appreciate your sharing the story of the persecuted church. How much more real the faith of those who have been tested. And I have such enormous respect for the priesthood now - knowing why they must take vows and be completely obedient to God - with no earthly encumbrances or distractions. Our priest died in a freak accident on New Years Eve - hit by a falling tree while trying to clear the road of another - very symbolic. Our new priest is from the Philippines and a very different personality but so worthy of our love and respect.
I have not found the rituals and reminders a distraction from my love for Christ, but the same as the rituals and reminders we have in our family - something that enriches my experience and draws me closer.
I'm assuming you have found the places for people who are questioning. Have you read Rome Sweet Home: Our Journey to Catholicism">? I guess that's the classic. There are a lot of books listed in Barbara's Picks: Catholicism in Perspective. As an evangelical, I was especially intrigued by the Surprised by Truth series. And do you visit Conversion Diary?
With your permission, I will post this for encouragement from others - especially Evangelical-to-Catholic converts.
Posted in Catholicism | Permalink
Comments
How do you know about the Sears' church status? Do they have a blog? I looked briefly online for information, but there isn't any easily found.
Sue in TX
[I am friends with Martha.]
Posted by: Sue | July 20, 2009 7:48 PM
Prayers for your reader (and what excellent news about the Sears!)
Posted by: Peony Moss | July 21, 2009 7:14 AM
Barbara, I'm sending loving prayers for your correspondent. Jesus is so obviously the center of her life, and He is calling her to know Him and experience Him even more deeply. And she will!!!!
This is a beautiful ministry for you, Barbara. You and Tripp can "speak the language". I often find that Protestant friends are saying the same thing I am as a Catholic but with different words.
You are so blessed to be friends with the Sears'! They have made such a profound contribution to my parenting for a long time (I have children who range in age from 8 to 28). I heard their story of God calling them to the Church on Greg and Lisa Popcak's radio show and just cried with happiness for them. Tell them they have a fan in Kansas who has prayed for their deepening faith and joy.
Posted by: Mary Alice | July 21, 2009 8:44 AM
Barbara, what a sweet and encouraging response to those considering Catholicism! Don't worry about attacks from ignorant evangelicals. Your heart for God and others who seek Him is readily apparent.
I am evangelical myself (and in the interest of disclosure, have never felt called to catholicism or interest in switching churches - I am very fulfilled in my faith). That said, I don't understand the vitriol lobbed at those who are merely following their Savior where they feel He is leading them.
It all comes down to Christ and Him crucified, and obedience to Him wherever He calls us. If people from either side can't find that common ground, they are only causing more unnecessary division and hurting the very Body they claim to be protecting.
Keep up the good work, Barbara! You're a blessing and inspiration to us all, whether Catholic or Protestant. :)
Posted by: Rachel | July 21, 2009 12:52 PM
Our family is also making the journey from non-denominational/charismatic to the Catholic church. This journey has been a few years in the making. Both my husband and I started to feel the desire to attend Mass two years ago. We even started RCIA. However, we stopped the process due to some unease with theology; mainly confession, asking for prayers of the saints & Mary. We went back to our old denom. church but just couldn't let go of this nagging feeling that the Catholic church was the place we were suppose to be. Slowly, but surely God placed circumstances in our lives to gently guide us in matters of theology. I may not have all the answers yet, but due to the circumstances of the past two years I'm willing to accept the rest on faith.
If someone as little as three years ago would have told me that I would be converting to the Catholic faith in the near future I would have laughed at the good joke. I find it amazing the direction that God has led our family. The whole thing just seems a little surreal at times. I look forward to Mass every week and I long for the time when our family can join the others for the Eucharist. In many, many ways I feel as though I have finally come home.
Lest, I sound like this process is or will be a bed of roses, I would just like to state that my extended family will NOT be thrilled with our conversion AT ALL. This transition is also a little rough due to our children being older (10 & 14). We would really appreciate any prayers to help us guide our kids through this time with grace and wisdom.
It feels so good to say I'm becoming Catholic. Wow...I'm becoming Catholic!
:-)Maggie
Posted by: Maggie Dee | July 21, 2009 1:40 PM
I was Methodist and became Roman Catholic almost 8 years ago. It basically took me 10 years to become convinced. The best thing I ever did. Wasn't easy. My family was surprisingly good about it. We don't talk about it too much because we disagree on things like confession, Mary, etc etc etc but no one gives me a hard time about it.
You really have to listen to God with an open mind and ask him to clarify things for you. I wish everyone who is making the journey (or considering it) all of God's blessings. And hold on tight...it can be a bumpy road. smile
Posted by: Sue from Buffalo | July 21, 2009 10:32 PM
Barbara
The timing of your return to the catholic church is very close to my own.
I gasped when I read the first post hinting that you were moving in that direction.
I hoped it wasn't true. At the time lots of difficult questions were cropping up for me that made me very uncomfortable and I just wanted to ignore them for a bit.
When I read suggestions that you were warming up to the catholic church I just felt "gahhh, I can't get away from this!"
Your move in that direction felt like another blow to my confident assurance that I would never 'go back' there.
All that seems so funny now, and in fact I haven't really 'gone back there' because my experience of being a catholic now is an altogether different and more vibrant one.
I still love our old church very much. In fact, we were there last night for the first of a series of evenings aimed at engaging with politics and the culture.
The guest, who was not disclosed to us until 24 hours beforehand, because of security considerations, turned out to be Tony Blair.
They (the leadership)are a particuarly non sectarian church and I was always grateful for that. However, I found that the same was not true of the congregation, my home group prticularly.
Sadly, when I scratched the surface,in some places, I found the most vitriolic, virulent, foaming at the mouth kind of hatred for catholicism.
This from the gentlest sweetest christians I had met.
I think I'm still processing the shock of all that.
On another note, I'm really curious to know more about the story your commenter refers to ( the one about the people who faithfully preserved the faith)
Posted by: Clare | July 22, 2009 4:43 AM
