I am a Former Catholic. Should I Continue to go to Catholic Church so I can Reach People for Christ?
Introduction
As a former Catholic who has left the Catholic church, you may be wondering if you should continue attending Mass and other Catholic services in order to reach people for Christ. This is an important question that requires thoughtful and prayerful consideration. There are good reasons to continue participating in the Catholic church, but also issues to weigh regarding your own spiritual life and whether you can actually be effective in spreading the true Gospel while remaining in a church with which you have significant theological differences. This article will overview biblical principles related to this issue and provide guidance for those struggling with this decision.
The Call to Share the Gospel
As Christians, we are all called to spread the message of salvation through Jesus Christ. The Great Commission given by Jesus himself compels us to “go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19-20). Our mission as believers is to share the truth about who Jesus is and how His death and resurrection provides the only way to be reconciled to God. This call applies regardless of denomination or background.
For those who have left the Catholic church, the desire to share Christ with Catholics is understandable. After all, you probably have many friends and family members who are still part of the Catholic church. You care about them and want them to know the liberating truth of the Gospel. However, the best way to reach Catholics or any other group is rarely straightforward. There are pitfalls to avoid as well as wise methods to employ when sharing your faith across theological divides.
Concerns with Remaining in the Catholic Church
While the urge to stay engaged with Catholics is commendable, there are good reasons to be cautious about lingering in the Catholic church when you no longer identify as Catholic yourself:
1. You may be perceived as endorsing Catholic doctrine
Even if your intent is evangelistic in nature, by regularly attending Mass and participating in other Catholic activities, you may give credence to Catholic teaching in the eyes of your Catholic friends and family. Instead of seeing your objections to Catholic doctrine clearly, they may think you still accept it. This confusion could make your attempts to share the true Gospel less effective.
2. You may compromise your own beliefs
As a former Catholic, you likely have significant disagreements with major Catholic doctrines like the authority of the Magisterium, infant baptism, transubstantiation, praying to Mary and the saints, purgatory, salvation by works, etc. By continuing to participate in the Catholic system, you expose yourself to teachings and practices you now reject. This could lead to spiritual confusion and undermine your own commitment to God’s Word.
3. You may enable a false religious system
While individual Catholics may be sincere believers, the Catholic church as an institution teaches a flawed gospel and system of salvation (see Galatians 1:6-9). Remaining in this system lends credence to it and enables false teaching to continue. At some point, it may become necessary to take a stand on biblical truth by separating from organizations that distort the Gospel.
4. Your evangelistic opportunities may be limited
In most Catholic churches, there are limited opportunities for lay people to share the Gospel in any overt fashion. The priest usually controls both the formal liturgy and any teaching/preaching venue. Remaining in this restrictive environment may stifle your passion to reach lost people.
These warnings do not mean that you cannot have any contact at all with the Catholic church. But they highlight significant risks that you must weigh prayerfully. The priority should be protecting your own walk with God and finding the most fruitful platform for evangelism.
Biblical Principles on Relating to False Teachers
Scripture gives clear guidance on how believers should respond when confronted with false teaching in the church:
Do Not Partner with False Teachers
2 Corinthians 6:14-15 warns, “Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever?”
While individual Catholics may be fellow believers, the Catholic religious system teaches a false gospel. Remaining part of that would constitute an unequal partnership that compromises the truth.
Avoid Those Who Contradict Sound Doctrine
Romans 16:17-18 instructs, “I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.”
The Catholic church’s official positions reject core tenets of biblical Christianity. Its teachings cannot be reconciled with sound doctrine. While individual Catholics may be saved, the institutional church itself fits the description of those to be avoided.
Come Out and Be Separate
Regarding unbiblical religious systems, 2 Corinthians 6:17 declares, “‘Therefore come out from them and be separate,’ says the Lord.” Remaining entangled with organizations that distort the Gospel serves to legitimize their errors rather than refute them. There may come a time for a clean break.
Have Nothing to Do with Fruitless Deeds of Darkness
Ephesians 5:11 instructs, “Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.” Lingering in a church proclaiming a false gospel can appear to endorse it rather than expose it.
Do Not Lend Credibility to False Teachers
2 John 1:10-11 warns, “If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take them into your house or welcome them. Anyone who welcomes them shares in their wicked work.” Welcoming and remaining in fellowship with false teachers in any way lends credibility to their deceptive work.
This strong biblical language may seem harsh at first. But it underlines how serious God is about standing uncompromisingly for His truth. The Catholic church’s dogma is fundamentally incompatible with true biblical doctrine. Lingering within it is not likely to effectively reach Catholics for Christ.
Wise Approaches to Evangelizing Catholics
While remaining in the Catholic church contains significant pitfalls, sincere Catholics still need to hear the true Gospel. Here are some wise strategies for sharing God’s truth with your Catholic acquaintances:
Pray for Opportunities to Share Your Faith
Only God can open a heart to receive the Gospel. Pray for doors of opportunity and the wisdom to communicate the message sensitively but clearly when possible (Colossians 4:3-6). Ask Him to arrange “divine appointments.”
Study Catholic Doctrine
Be well-versed in actual Catholic teaching and history. Carefully understand why the official doctrines are unbiblical so you can give thoughtful responses when questioned (1 Peter 3:15).
Avoid Confrontational Debates
Debates over doctrine often breed more heat than light. Focus on sharing your personal testimony of salvation by God’s grace and the life-changing truths you have discovered in Scripture. Sow gospel seeds humbly rather than arguing.
Utilize Christian Literature and Media
Books, tracts, websites, videos, and other tools can help communicate biblical truth to Catholics who may be open to learning more. Utilize quality resources to supplement personal conversations.
Suggest Attending a Bible-Teaching Church
Gently encourage interested Catholics to visit church services where the Word of God is faithfully taught. Experiencing clear biblical preaching can be eye-opening. Offer to go with them.
Emphasize Relationship with Jesus
Remind Catholics that truly knowing Jesus personally transforms lives far more than religion. Share how He has guided and sustained you in your walk of faith.
Avoid Church Bashing
Criticizing aspects of Catholicism often backfires by putting people on the defensive. Focus on sharing God’s gracious truth rather than enumerating flaws in Catholicism. Let the light expose darkness.
Trust the Holy Spirit
Despite your best efforts, only the Holy Spirit can open blind eyes and change hardened hearts. Pray persistently for Him to draw your Catholic contacts to salvation and biblical truth (1 Thessalonians 1:4-5).
Leaving the Catholic church without harboring bitterness frees you to pursue unhindered relationship with Jesus Christ and share His Gospel of grace with wisdom and sensitivity. As the Lord leads, you can find creative ways to communicate biblical truth effectively without needing to remain in a spiritually unhealthy environment. Stay attuned to God’s leading and trust Him for the results.
Conclusion
For former Catholics, deciding whether to continue participating in the Catholic church poses spiritual challenges. Valid reasons exist to maintain contact with Catholics to reach them for Christ. But many concerns also warn against lingering in a church system teaching a false gospel, such as risking your own credibility and compromise, enabling a harmful institution, and limited opportunities to communicate freely. Biblical principles instruct believers to separate from false teachers rather than partner with them. Yet lost souls still need the Gospel, so we must approach them wisely and sensitively, relying on prayer and spiritual resources. As we walk closely with the Lord, He will open doors and empower our efforts to rescue precious Catholics from deception. Our job is to remain faithful to His truth, share it compassionately when possible, and trust the Holy Spirit to draw people to salvation in His perfect time and way.