| Author | Post |
|---|
osurphm
Member
| Joined: | Sun Mar 30th, 2008 |
| Location: | |
| Posts: | 1 |
| First Name: | Marc | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Baptist, Methodist |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Posted: Sun Mar 30th, 2008 11:06 pm |
|
My name is Marc Wells. I am 34 yo, and am currently a student at Asbury Theological Seminary. I am a local licensed pastor at Decatur United Methodist Church. I grew up in a Baptist church, but then met my wife, Tracy, who is Methodist. Basically, I am currently feeling drawn to the Catholic Church. This has happened through a few different encounters and searches, but I am obviously struggling with the idea of converting to Catholicism. I am the only one in my family who is on this path, and I have been supported by many people in my home congregation in my pursuit of pastoral ministry in the Methodist Church. Obviously, this would probably be a shock to many of them. However, the more I seek God in my journey, the more the path leads my heart to the Catholic Church. I had the opportunity to attend a Mass at a local Catholic Church, and have watched the Mass on EWTN. I truly love the celebration of Mass and the Eucharist. My wife supports me in my journey, but I don't have a Catholic perspective on my situation. That is why I have joined this forum.
God bless, Marc Wells
|
|
|
beachmoss
Member
| Joined: | Mon Nov 13th, 2006 |
| Location: | Simpsonville, South Carolina USA |
| Posts: | 289 |
| First Name: | Beth | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Catholic (raised Baptist) |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Posted: Sun Mar 30th, 2008 11:38 pm |
|
Welcome, Marc! You have certainly come to the right place. There are many friendly people here willing to help you on your journey, and there are some who have trod a similar path as you are now on. Feel free to post any questions or comments you may have.
From what I understand from many here, you are very blessed to have your wife's support. I had my husband's full support on my journey, and although he hasn't crossed the Tiber yet he is very supportive of my raising the kids in the Church.
God bless you on your journey of faith!
Beth
|
|
|
CajunRick
Network Helper
| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Houma, Louisiana USA |
| Posts: | 5345 |
| First Name: | Rick (& Kermie) | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Lifetime Catholic, Latin Rite |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Posted: Mon Mar 31st, 2008 12:10 am |
|
We're glad to have you with us, Marc, and we promise to support you on your journey in any way we can. There are many here who are former Protestant clergy and who have already made the same journey as the one you face. I hope you'll find the support and encouragement you are looking for. We'll do our best to walk with you on your faith journey, wherever it might lead.
____________________
Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand. - Augustine
Rick Luquette
Luquette Lane
|
|
|
David W. Emery
Network Helper
| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Brownsville, Texas USA |
| Posts: | 2072 |
| First Name: | David | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Catholic |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Posted: Mon Mar 31st, 2008 12:22 am |
|
Marc, as a former Methodist myself (a long time ago — I just celebrated 45 years as a Catholic) I welcome you.
I know what it’s like to be the only one converting. I know what it’s like to see those around me insist that I have lost my marbles. But I also know from long experience that I made the right choice. If your wife is supportive, that is a huge load off your shoulders. A lot of people aren’t that fortunate.
Let us know what we can do for you.
David
|
|
|
Kim M.
Member
| Joined: | Mon Feb 11th, 2008 |
| Location: | Georgia USA |
| Posts: | 415 |
| First Name: | Kim | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Baptist, Assembly of God, Church of God, Assembly again, PCA, ... |
| Status: |
Online
|
|
Posted: Mon Mar 31st, 2008 01:12 am |
|
Welcome, Marc!  This is a great place to share your journey. I'm on the same path as you. On the one hand, I wake up in a cold sweat, scared to death at the thought of becoming a Catholic. On the other hand, I am feeling pulled in that direction and the subject has consumed my thoughts.
I understand Fr. Alvin Kimel's feelings when he says, "I did not fear becoming Orthodox. I did fear becoming Catholic. Finally I feared not becoming Catholic." (from his Road to Rome post - titled "IV")
One person you might like to get in contact with is Allen Hunt. He's a recent convert from the same denomination as you, and he was a pastor, as well.
Here's his blog. And here's his testimony.
Again, welcome!
____________________
"A joyful heart is the health of the body, but a depressed spirit dries up the bones." Proverbs 17:22
|
|
|
Intercessor
Member
| Joined: | Tue Sep 25th, 2007 |
| Location: | Southcentral, Kentucky USA |
| Posts: | 1223 |
| First Name: | Becky | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Southern Baptist, Catholic |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Posted: Mon Mar 31st, 2008 01:28 am |
|
Marc, I've enjoyed about all the happiness I can bear.
If one more person comes into the Catholic Church, I may burst with joy! 
Those of us on this forum are in such a special position to observe God's work in other lives.
I was a Baptist Sunday School teacher and the last person anyone would have expected to embrace Catholicism.
Marc, you are now on my prayer list.
Welcome to the forum.
Becky
____________________
"The perfection of a soul may be measured by the degree to which it does the will of God, and finds its happiness in doing it.... O my God,...the only thing necessary is Your holy will," Divine Intimacy, pp. 15-16 Father Gabriel, O.C.D.
|
|
|
Dave Armstrong
Network Apologist
| Joined: | Fri Nov 2nd, 2007 |
| Location: | Melvindale, Michigan USA |
| Posts: | 1627 |
| First Name: | Dave | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Evangelical (1977): Diverse Protestant Influences / Catholic in 1990 |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Posted: Mon Mar 31st, 2008 07:32 pm |
|
Hi Marc,
A warm welcome to you. I'm sure you'll be a worthy adition to our little friendly community.
____________________
I'm happy to offer whatever theological & personal assistance I can. My blog, Biblical Evidence for Catholicism, contains 2000+ papers & web pages (absolutely free) & 16 apologetic books (for sale):
http://www.biblicalcatholic.com/
|
|
|
EMarshallBuckles
Member
| Joined: | Mon Nov 19th, 2007 |
| Location: | Rockville (Near Richmond), Virginia USA |
| Posts: | 618 |
| First Name: | Marshall | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Christian Church,Episcopal Church,Baptist denomination,learning about RCC |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Posted: Tue Apr 1st, 2008 02:32 am |
|
 Marshall gives a toot of welcome from his Baptist barge, floating on the Tiber, sipping his Diet Coke, raising his can in salute of welcome!  Attachment: BoatingonTiber.jpg (Downloaded 29 times)
|
|
|
CajunRick
Network Helper
| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Houma, Louisiana USA |
| Posts: | 5345 |
| First Name: | Rick (& Kermie) | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Lifetime Catholic, Latin Rite |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Posted: Tue Apr 1st, 2008 04:34 am |
|
EMarshallBuckles wrote: Marshall gives a toot of welcome from his Baptist barge, floating on the Tiber, sipping his Diet Coke, raising his can in salute of welcome!
…while dragging his toes in the water, looking longingly at the fuzzy, warm, purely white robe waiting for him on the opposite bank, being held invitingly by the CHNI Forum crew … 
____________________
Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand. - Augustine
Rick Luquette
Luquette Lane
|
|
|
BD
Member
| Joined: | Wed Mar 26th, 2008 |
| Location: | |
| Posts: | 46 |
| First Name: | Brett | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Non-denominational evangelical, Mennonite (Anabaptist), now Evangelical-Anabapti-catholic |
| Status: |
Offline
|
|
Posted: Tue Apr 1st, 2008 05:11 am |
|
Welcome, Marc. I just joined the forum days ago and can testify to the ways people here can share joy and suffering with you on this path to faithfulness that we are all walking. I hope you stick around. You've made it on Becky's prayer list, so watch out! I'll be praying for you too.
Interestingly enough, I just learned another friend of mine named Marc (spelled the same) entered into full communion just this Easter!
I am a 34 y.o. professor of theology in the Mennonite Church and am considering this same move into the Catholic faith...have been considering for four years or so. So we find ourselves in similar places.
BD
Last edited on Tue Apr 1st, 2008 05:15 am by BD
____________________
Non abbiate paura!
|
|
|
Current time is 08:50 pm | |
|
|
