I see that St. Josaphat is holding an "All You Can Eat" style pancake breakfast after their Divine Liturgies on Sunday, Feb. 3rd, which I would think, if it's well advertised, will hopefully get people to attend the Sunday DLs (whether Ukrainian or English Language), and then reward themselves to breakfast afterwards. I'm sure this might be a pretty good idea. I know there are plenty of RC parishes doing this, but we should get more Byzantine Rite parishes holding breakfasts once a month at least, not just coffee socials.
What would be wrong with doing what the cults do, including the Evangelicalst? Go out door to door, 2 x 2, and meet people where they are at. Not everyone will be open and responsive, but I bet there will be opportunities for discussion and for performing works of charity.
The great problems that we face are:
A. Catholics do not know their faith. That is, they do not know how to defend it from Evangelical theological silliness. When you talk with an Evangelical, you MUST play on their playing field, which is the Scriptures. They are unimpressed with any answer that you cannot bring back to a Bible verse.
B. Eastern Catholic parishes are ethnic conclaves. More often than not, "boat people" (what I overheard a parishoner say about us converts) are not warmly welcome because they are not some form of Eastern European. That should not be the case.
In the same vein, Americans should somehow be encouraged to view the Byzantine Catholic Church in America as simply a form of Catholicism rather than an ethnic conclave. Certainly the Orthodox have done this by creating an American version of Orthodoxy.
C. Do we really believe that people are going to an eternal torment without Christ? Would we have the same lackadaisical attitude if we passed a burning building and heard cries for help coming within? We all (ME TOO!!) need to hear the heartbeat of Christ for the lost and those who are away from the Church and bring them in. The reason that Evangelicals grow so much is that they take the salvation message seriously and believe in a hot hell for sinners. I wonder sometimes if we really do???
Here's a video that explains why the Church isn't thriving today. Some of you may have watched it already, if you've been cruising around Youtube, but for those that haven't this offers a pretty darn good explanation:
This was recorded from a Church Tour of St. Vladimir UOC Cathedral in Parma, Ohio, possibly during their Ukrainian Festival.
What would be wrong with doing what the cults do, including the Evangelicalst? Go out door to door, 2 x 2, and meet people where they are at. Not everyone will be open and responsive, but I bet there will be opportunities for discussion and for performing works of charity.
The great problems that we face are:
A. Catholics do not know their faith. That is, they do not know how to defend it from Evangelical theological silliness. When you talk with an Evangelical, you MUST play on their playing field, which is the Scriptures. They are unimpressed with any answer that you cannot bring back to a Bible verse.
This!
... and love bombing, like we used to do back in the good ol' days.
how would YOU explain your faith? start with the basics
why would they want to worship your way? answer as if I were a new member walking into your church for the first time and I was attractive to you in some way (a problem for many do we only want rich? young? no one with a )
Well ... the reason I asked the questions - and curious about others ideas or ways to explain
I was presented with the question about 2 weeks ago.
How would you explain (your religion) to someone in a way that would convince them it was the one True Faith.
I've studied - I pretty much know the major concepts ... but I was unable to answer this satisfactorily - unable to explain in a totally positive way without polemics without comparisons that denigrate the other side etc. ... I was speechless (which actually may show some great spiritual growth).
Anyway - I'd like to see how it's done - especially after they've come to see - and now want explanations.
What would be wrong with doing what the cults do, including the Evangelicalst? Go out door to door, 2 x 2, and meet people where they are at. Not everyone will be open and responsive, but I bet there will be opportunities for discussion and for performing works of charity.
The great problems that we face are:
A. Catholics do not know their faith. That is, they do not know how to defend it from Evangelical theological silliness. When you talk with an Evangelical, you MUST play on their playing field, which is the Scriptures. They are unimpressed with any answer that you cannot bring back to a Bible verse.
This!
... and love bombing, like we used to do back in the good ol' days.
Was this an answer? Was it directed to me? What exactly do you mean by "this"?
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