Catholic thinking of leaving the church for Four Square...?

Question

I've been Catholic for the past 10 years but after visiting a local protestant church I've felt welcomed and the presence of God. I love the church but have only one problem, communion. I miss taking the eucharist every Sunday and feel funny about it. I haven't joined the church yet but the Catholic churches up where I live are cold and unfriendly. I need to feel a part of a church but in the same vein I miss the communion. Has anyone had this experience? What did you do? Is it okay to miss communion? I feel undecided just on that idea. The church teaches the bible and really ministers to my heart. Give me your experiences without judgement and legalise. Thank you.

If you don't have an answer please don't put your judgmental comments. This is not helpful to me as it just shows a really poor spirit from Chrisitians or atheist. I want serious answers. I'm not shopping but a part of looking for Christ is looking at what each church has to offer. At least I'm trying. Do not daunt the spirit of hope. Christians answer only please all athiest will get a low mark.

Answer 1

I am going to a Foursquare church and I love it! See www.enewhope.org and learn more about mine. It is a very welcoming and (in our case) non-judgemental church with a lot of accountability among the leaders and virtually no cliques! Welcome to Foursquare--I hope your experience is as great as mine has been. God Bless.

To Scourge: You know nothing about Foursquare to make a comment like that. We are all freethinking in our church and at the same time we are Biblically-based. Your ignorance is showing!

To Homeland Security: Foursquare takes communion every month, so where did you get annually? Please check things out before you make incorrect statements.

Answer 2

You miss the Holy Eucharist because Four Square churches don't have the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. At a Four Square Church, you can commune with people all you want, but you can't commune with Jesus physically in the Eucharist. And we receive many graces from communing with Jesus in the Eucharist. No wonder you miss that!

There's no reason you can't go to the Catholic Church for worship and the Eucharist and go to Bible Study at the Four Square church (though be careful, as they have some rather interesting interpretations of certain Scriptures that are rather short-sighted compared to the rest of the Bible.)

Also, you should look into ways that you can get involved in your Catholic community more deeply. If your parish is "cold and unfriendly" on Sunday mornings, consider what it is like to join the choir, the St. Vincent de Paul Society (never a cold or unfriendly member of that group -- they're all about reaching out and helping the poor), or some other Catholic organization. Sunday Mass simply isn't the best time for socializing with Catholics, as we are supposed to have all our thoughts trained on Jesus. We're a lot more social during the rest of the week.

Answer 3

Missing communion is simply Jesus' way of showing you who and what you will leave behind if you abandon your Catholic faith.

The Catholic church has within it everything God knew you would ever need for your salvation.

Odds are, the answer to the problem is more self giving on your part ... not necessarily financially ... in order to open up the wellspring and find the love that is truly present there.

The only way anyone can typically ever hope to discover their true destiny in Christ is through a lifetime of full and active participation in all of the work, worship, sacraments, and devotions of the Catholic church.

I suggest you redouble your efforts in this regard, before you go shopping for another church ... no matter how attractive it may appear.

Remember ... the real presence of Jesus Christ is a treasure worth more than anything. To give up that great and majestic sacrament merely to better fellowship with men would probably constitute the worst "bargain" since Eden.

There are other ways to resolve your issues with the church, short of leaving.

Pray about it. Then you'll know what to do.

Answer 4

I must admit I am not Roman Catholic, but I am a Christian who has worshipped in a church of almost every denomination that exists, including Catholic and I refuse to put tags on people. It does not matter where you worship, as long as You are sincere in your relationship with God, and are faithful to his leading as to where he wants you to be. I was brought up in a very one-eyed Protestant family, and almost taught to hold every Catholic in deep suspicion. It wasnt till I experienced a personal relationship with Jesus, and cast off the "religious" crap that I had been taught as a child that I discovered many many beautiful, sincere, God Fearing people within the Catholic Church, many of whom I consider to be my very close friends. And I have met many catholics who have had a similar revelation about the protestants, as it sounds like you are experiencing. there is absolutely no reason why you cannot worship at both denominations, although it is better if you can commit yourself to a particular Church family for obvious reasons. I know how you feel, I miss communion sometimes too, because I currently worship at a Salvation Army Church which do not celebrate communion, but eagerly participate when visiting other denominations which I do regularly (sometimes as a guest speaker) There is also nothing wrong with going along to a communion mass occasionally if you feel the need. The most important thing to remember is that the basis of our Christian walk is our personal relationship with God, through his Son Jesus, which exists in part, within the framework of , but totally seperate from, organised religion. I hope this helps.

Answer 5

sister,,,if the church you are attending is teaching the word of God ,,than it is a good church,,you said you felt the presence of God so i assume they are telling the truth,, the matter of Communion,, some churches have Communion often and some not so often, but the bible tells allot about Communion,, not being critical but if i might tell ya the truth,, most catholic churches don't have Communion as it has been explained in the Bible to do,, they use it for eating or to drink a little or just repetition, passed down by tradition,, but the bible says whosoever takes the Communion of our Lord unworthy shall have damnation on them self not discerning it is an example of the lords body that was broken for us and his blood that he shed for us,, but sister you do not have to be in church to have Communion with Jesus,, ever day we serve him we have Communion. but i know what your asking and it is good to have Communion , but read your bible, king James version only,,, not the perverted other ones,,, praying always and may God give you understanding and wisdom in serving him ,,,, God Bless

Answer 6

Don't leave Jesus, you need the Eucharist. Try to find another Catholic parish where you feel more at home. Or try to get to know some of the others there they might feel the same you do.

Answer 7

I have known people become addicted to communion, taking it daily on the false belief that it is it essential to daily living. Others become addicted to a communion that is done in a certain way and cannot tolerate it being done in another way. This is another subtle delusion.
Communion is exactly as said in scripture - a simple matter of remembrance when you care to do this: ' ... and when he had taken some bread and given thanks, He broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me' (Luke 22:19). Man's tradition has changed this into something complex and onerous.

Answer 8

You'd be better off if you could find a Calvary Chapel. They are the best at Bible teaching.They are still into the "gifts" but they don't use them in their services like 4 Sq. and Assembly of God do.(That kind of freaks me out) From a former Catholic,God Bless on your journey.

Answer 9

Out of the frying pan and into the fire.

There is such a strong mind-control aspect to denominations like that, that once in, you may find it difficult to escape mentally, even if it starts making you sick. Beware!

Answer 10

If you think religion is like a shopping trip and you can change labels on a whim, feel free. You're the one who has to live with any consequences.