Thanks. And another question for Protestants and Catholics.?

Question

I wanted to say Thanks to all those who politely addressed my question concerning Catholic belief that Mary bore no children besides Christ Jesus. I learned some stuff.

My next question is: What are some PRACTICAL things that Catholics and members of good Bible-Believing Soul-Winning Protestant Churches can work together on in an Ecumenical Manner? I'm talking about the grass-roots level. I won't have anything to do with your new America-Hating Pope.

Answer 1

You might want to join one of the ongoing ecumenical dialogs.

"The Catholic Church embraces with hope the commitment to ecumenism as a duty of the Christian conscience enlightened by faith and guided by love…Jesus himself, at the hour of his Passion, prayed 'that they may all be one' (John 17:21)." -- Pope John Paul II, Ut Unum Sint, May 25, 1995.

The Catholic Church in the United States already has the following open dialogs with her sister Churches:

- The North American Orthodox-Catholic Theological Consultation
- The Joint Committee of Orthodox and Catholic Bishops
- The Oriental Orthodox-Roman Catholic Consultation
- The Polish National Catholic-Roman Catholic Dialogue
- The Anglican-Roman Catholic Consultation USA
- The Lutheran-Catholic Dialogue
- Roman Catholic-Reformed Consultation
- The United Methodist-Catholic Dialogue
- Southern Baptist Convention-Catholic Dialogue
- The Evangelical-Catholic Dialogue
- Faith and Order Commission, National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA
- Consultation with the National Council of Synagogues
- Consultation with the Orthodox Union and the Rabbinical Council of America
- Midwest Dialogue of Catholics and Muslims
- Mid-Atlantic Dialogue of Catholics and Muslims
- West Coast Dialogue of Catholics and Muslims

Here is the joint declaration of justification by Catholics (1999), Lutherans (1999), and Methodists (2006):

By grace alone, in faith in Christ's saving work and not because of any merit on our part, we are accepted by God and receive the Holy Spirit, who renews our hearts while equipping us and calling us to good works.

http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/chrstuni/documents/rc_pc_chrstuni_doc_31101999_cath-luth-joint-declaration_en.html

http://www.usccb.org/seia/officialdialogues.shtml

With love in Christ.

Answer 2

There is a lot of good that is already being done in the world as a group. If you do the research, you will learn that many protestant churches and organizations(such as ADRA) have been working hand in hand with Catholics, to help those in need. For example: in Africa, billions of dollars in aid were just given by the US to help fight Malaria. Mrs.Bush was just there, along with Church leaders and organizations, to implement the use of mosquito nets and medications. Along with the money given, the churches will work together in providing the much needed help and spiritual guidance that these impoverished countries need to survive.
Please read: Matthew 25:34-46 You will understand what The Lord expects from His Children.
God Bless

Answer 3

I think getting together and talking about our similarities and our differences w/o our egos in defense mode -- that would be a good start.

Another good start would be my admitting that I'm not crazy about this ex-Nazi pope either, but reminding myself that the pope is not the Church: Jesus in us, the people: that is the Church.

Answer 4

I have in our area seen ecumenical food shelves, clothes closets, joint community services performed.
What would be done should be determined by the needs you see in your area, your community.