Why do you go to the church that you do?

BrianCalgary

I am curious to find out what you find important in a church and what attracts you to the church you go to.

Also what might bug you about your church and what would you change if you were in charge?

Apple Gal

I would like if their was a mass in my parish specifically for teenagers. We do have a youth mass but now it has changed into a mass were young people sing old boring songs Because to be honest there are a lot of things that the priest says that me and all the teenagers at our mass don't really understand or care about. So we just sit there pretending to listen when really we haven't got a clue what he is on about!

I go to mass because afterwards I always feel happy that I went. And this week I was nearly not going but then I found out that the Candians from our school retreat from NET where there so we all kinda rushed down to mass and I was glad I did cos I always feel happy afterwards :rolleyes:

Wishbone Ash

BrianCalgary wrote:

what might bug you about your church and what would you change if you were in charge?

In my church, the first collection is taken just after the homily. This means that during the homily, many in the congregation are rooting around in the bottom of handbags for change instead of listening to the priest. I find it most distracting.

mountainyman

It is next to a basketball court.
I am completely out of sympathy with the people who go there (a bunch of stuck up rich see you next tuesdays) but they have a good programme for kids a sort of Sunday School; the main priest is a fawning little creep who ignores you till he finds out 'who you are' and then kisses your ass, but they have alot of isiting missionary priests who are great.

On the other hand they are very specific in the use of the collection we are raising money for 3 primary health centres in Kenya at the moment.

I would be less self congratulatory and more aggressive in reminding the congregation of their privilege and also remind them that your Christian duty doesn't end after mass.

Also I would have fewere hymns and I would NOT clap the singers; to sing for God is a privilege they sould need our approbation and this is irrelevant ext to God's.

MM

Barnabas

Rounds of applause bug me. Does God ever get a round of applause?
Applause usually mean someone has taken God's place in the liturgy!
"What have you that you have not received" St. Paul asks. So why should the choir or whoever is being applauded get the praise for using their God given talent which they are cuty bound to use for his greater glory - to praise him.

I think we need to be careful that worship doesn't become performance and entertainment. If I want to be entertained I will go to the Theatre. I go to Church to worship God.

Jesus never entertained the crowds - when they asked them for miracles he knew that they were only looking for the special effects, not to get to know the Father. He taught the crowds, admonished them, challenged them, taught them how to pray and most importantly he sought to bring them into a living relationship with the Father that would transform their lives. Seems like a good model for the liturgy or worship to follow.

Barnabas

I realise my last post was only focusing on what bugs me. I re-read Brian's initail question.

It is important that Jesus Christ is the centre of all that takes place. The priest, pastor or minister should realise that he is not the centre of people's worship.

There must be a sense of community that opens up beyond those who are gathered together on any given sunday. Our horizons need to be greater than just ourselves. We are part of a family that spans the whole earth and all times. That's an amazing thought - In Christ I am in communion with someone who lived long ago in a far away place. It's about roots. These are my roots and every time I go to Mass I know my family tree goes right back to Christ through his brothers and sisters, my brothers and sisters who have bourne witness to him through the centuries.

For me as a Catholic - I'd have to say there would have to be the sacraments - especially Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. The Holy Eucharist ensures that no matter what might be going on Jesus is the centre to which we gravitate.

Don't know how coherent this post has been. Sorry

Puck

I love my church because it is small and when I came to faith in Christ it was just what I needed. I'm naturally shy and would have found some way to hide myself away down at the back of a larger church and never get involved. As it is now I know everyone's name and have had a great time geting involved in things there; from laying down a driveway to helping out at the kids club.

Things I would change: some of the hymns for one. The old ones aren't that bad, it's the ones written in the 70s and 80s that bother me. They're just so... lame. I've recently discovered what it is that I don't like about modern worship music. If you ignore the lyrics in some of the songs they sound just like David Hasselhoff songs. That's not to say the lyrics are great either, lets not forget the "Jesus is my boyfriend" brand of worship music. Of course the worst is "Jesus is my boyfriend and I'm David Hasselhoff".

Also, the church is so small that we don't actually have our own minister, he is split between us and another church in the town where he lives. Without a minister of our own I think we lack sufficient pastoral care to grow and develop.

Mrs. MacGyver

I go to my chuch because there is a sence of coing home, of comradery and of support. They are like an extended family of sorts. They have interesting social events which we all help to organise and are great at promoting ecumenism. They have a woens saturday circle which proves a great release as well as a very helpful rector.

Asiaprod

bjj-fighter wrote:

I dont because Im an athiest and religion sucks

As a declared Atheist, I don't think this question applies to you, and comments like "religion sucks" are against the Charter and will only get you banned.
Take this as a friendly warning

Cantab.

I go to Mass cos it's the only place where I truly feel the presence of God. Also, I am obliged to keep the holy Sabbath (part of the reason I go to Mass). But without Mass on Sundays, I would feel rather lost and out of touch with my spiritual being, that is, being a Catholic.

Applause at Mass really annoys me. I was at my local parish with my family over Xmas, and it really was cringe-worthy to say the least. I much prefer the latin Mass, complete with educated priests who don't succumb to political-correctness. Mind you, the priests in my parish are very good in relation to those elsewhere, have absolute dedication to their vocations and are very learned. It's just I feel they have a huge burden on their shoulders and succumb to popularist demands (i.e. inclusive language, inclucsivity, ecumenicism, inoffensiveness, political-correctness etc.) at the expense of the Truth.

It's not easy being a priest in 2007, and the set guidelines and precedence that was in existence a generation ago, simply isn't there anymore. Priests are simply left to fend for themselves. Often innovation comes about, which is not rooted in theology, but in political and sociological pressures. Our priests must be supported and prayed for.

Cantab.

BrianCalgary wrote:

I am curious to find out what you find important in a church and what attracts you to the church you go to.

Also what might bug you about your church and what would you change if you were in charge?

Hi Brian.

Were I in charge, I would get rid of the folk groups and their modernist inclinations (as much as they mean well). To be quite honest, I'd say most of those in the folk group would live far from Catholic lives, and the only reason they turn up on Sundays is to satisfy their own needs, that is, that of celebrity and entertainment. Their music is less than mediocre and their ambitions are greater than their faith, so they should be told to go away and play in the local pub, not the local church (I somehow think they'd find it much more difficult to get a slot in the local pub).

Also, the influence of the lay-persons is becoming too great. I witnessed a collector placing the basket of money in front of the altar whilst the priest was giving the homily. He had (despite his good intentions) perfected a sort of half kneel/bow in front of the crucifix, which I found quite inadequate. There was no need for his interruption. The clergy need to maintain control and not allow a democratic disentegration to take place.

Cantab.

Mrs. MacGyver wrote:

I go to my chuch because there is a sence of coing home, of comradery and of support. They are like an extended family of sorts. They have interesting social events which we all help to organise and are great at promoting ecumenism. They have a woens saturday circle which proves a great release as well as a very helpful rector.

You're Church of Ireland then I take it?

BrianCalgary

Thank you to all. I have enjoyed reading all your responses. Some I wholeheartedly agree with on th ewhat bugs me side and also on the what is good side.

My church has a great system for discipling others and growing together in our faith. Our senior pastor is a wonderful preacher and teacher who allows the laity to use the gifts God has given them in order to serve Christ.

The music on the other hand is awful. The musicians, who I believe should be there to lead the singing, spend too much time performing and making things difficult for us the non musicals. It would be like me inviting them for a game of football and never letting them touch the ball because they were so bad at it.

Juza1973

The Church were I'm going to Mass is St. Mary at Sandyford, I go there because is the nearest church, so it is my Parish now. I go there because I know there is a requirement to attend and because believe in Jesus in the Eucaresty and I want to see the myracle repeating itself. The Church is fine, it is a little spartan for my Italian tastes (sometimes they simply cut the omely) but I like the atmosphere.

gosimeon

I go to my church for a whole bunch of reasons:

- it is youth orientated
- it is great fun
- messages are usually passionate and also challenging
- there is no "creed", it is a Christian community where faith in Jesus is all that counts, not doctrinal technicalities. This appeals to me.
- The facilities are excellent
- It is a great place to develop ones faith.

Nalz

I go to the church of life

where I help people and be the best person I can as apposed to asking for help to be the best person I can. Where I live life the best I can, and try to treat others as I would like to be treated.


My old Catholic church was great for the old sing song and the parish unity, but I soon realized that I could do alot better by focusing on bein a better person and stuff as apposed to asking for help and forgiveness, and channelling alot of energy which could have went to better use in the world.

There is alot that I would change about my church, but that is not down to me...or just me anyway.

panda100

Cantab. wrote:

I go to Mass cos it's the only place where I truly feel the presence of God.
.

Really?I find mass in most of the churches In Ireland so unspiritual. Everyone there just seems to be going through the routine of repeating the same words, kneeling down ,standing up. People eyes are vacant when you make the sign of the peace with them and there fumbling in there pockets for change constantly.
My local parish is Rathkeale church. The priests there are lovely but there well over 60 and there sermons while well intentioned are completly out of touch with modern Ireland. When Im up in college I go to Donneybrook church cos its round the corner form where I live. To me its just an empty,vascous mass. I never feel God or feel close to God at mass.
As a feminist and someone who believes that women are still not equal to men I just find it really frustrating to listen to a man week in week out telling me how to live.
Id love to go to a church that has inspirational speakers saying the sermons and not some out of touch priest week in week out.

panda100

gosimeon wrote:

I go to my church for a whole bunch of reasons:

- it is youth orientated
- it is great fun
- messages are usually passionate and also challenging
- there is no "creed", it is a Christian community where faith in Jesus is all that counts, not doctrinal technicalities. This appeals to me.
- The facilities are excellent
- It is a great place to develop ones faith.

What church is it?I have been to a few christian meetings in town and I find the happy clappy and praising god stuff a bit ott. Id like a church that says the rc mass but people dont fidget constantly and the priest really inspires you for the week ahead!

gosimeon

Its Open Arms, in Newbridge. It is a bit "happy clappy" for the first ten minutes or so of the service, for the music worship, I'm not mad into that. After that though it's just borin' aul church

I'm not a fan of the RC mass. Not topical enough, and very repetitive in my own experience.

aligator_am

It's interesting to see all the different types of responses here, I'm a born again Christian, and find the whole church experience totally different to what i experienced as a Catholic child, I go to St.Marks in Dublin City Centre and find it to be a very wholesome experience, very personal, it's not about someone preaching at you, it strikes me more as someone (the pastor) who's enthusiastic trying to share that enthusiasm with the congregation. Also, the worship team (singers) are great and everyone talks to each other afterwards (and not in a "to be seen" sense) I believe that this is what church should be, a celebration of Chirst's life, works and word, not a reinforcement of the fact that we all sin. Surely our God is one of love, not a God of terror?

aligator_am

panda100 wrote:

Really?I find mass in most of the churches In Ireland so unspiritual. Everyone there just seems to be going through the routine of repeating the same words, kneeling down ,standing up. People eyes are vacant when you make the sign of the peace with them and there fumbling in there pockets for change constantly.
My local parish is Rathkeale church. The priests there are lovely but there well over 60 and there sermons while well intentioned are completly out of touch with modern Ireland. When Im up in college I go to Donneybrook church cos its round the corner form where I live. To me its just an empty,vascous mass. I never feel God or feel close to God at mass.
As a feminist and someone who believes that women are still not equal to men I just find it really frustrating to listen to a man week in week out telling me how to live.
Id love to go to a church that has inspirational speakers saying the sermons and not some out of touch priest week in week out.

Panda, you should drop into St.Marks some Sunday, services 9.30am, 11.30am and 6pm, I think you'd like it (the morning ones are better IMHO) and put it this way, if you go and don't like it then it's only what, maybe an hour or so out of your life? I was stunned when I went, people are interested in talking to you, and befriending you, not because who you are but because they're interested that you have faith in Jesus. I know I sound like an advert, and I'm sorry if I do, but I promise you, it's well worth your while to take a chance on that one hour.

gosimeon

I few people from my Church visit St Marks often and love it.

panda100

aligator_am wrote:

It's interesting to see all the different types of responses here, I'm a born again Christian, and find the whole church experience totally different to what i experienced as a Catholic child, I go to St.Marks in Dublin City Centre and find it to be a very wholesome experience, very personal, it's not about someone preaching at you, it strikes me more as someone (the pastor) who's enthusiastic trying to share that enthusiasm with the congregation. Also, the worship team (singers) are great and everyone talks to each other afterwards (and not in a "to be seen" sense) I believe that this is what church should be, a celebration of Chirst's life, works and word, not a reinforcement of the fact that we all sin. Surely our God is one of love, not a God of terror?

Excuse my complete ignorance but is a catholic allowed to go to these born again christian masses?I like praying to our lady but is she not mentioned in the other christian masses?

gosimeon

Yup.

By born again you mean evangelical/pentecostal I guess? Most evangelical churches are non-denominational, all you need is faith in Christ, there is no creed.

As for Mary, evangelical churches link everything back to the Bible. Mother Mary is traditionally worshiped/honoured by Catholics, but as far as I know the Catholic church is the only one that does so. Evangelican churches are all about Jesus.

Mrs. MacGyver

Cantab. wrote:

You're Church of Ireland then I take it?

Exactly! I think in any church there should be an outreach programme. People just shouldnt be Sunday Christians. It's great to keep in contact with your neighbours/congregation apart from Sundays. It's an awful pity that theres nothing out there for the youths to do, especially with reference to our local Catholic Church. A good committee is needed in any church to make things happen. I can't think of a whole lot that annoys me about my church just that there should be some sort of youth club in the area as there are relativly few children attending our church and when they get their confirmation they no longer attend so the congregation is top heavy with age which is unfortunate..