Grow Garden Grow

There is a Presbyterian (wow it took me 3 tries to spell that) Church down the street from my parish called something like 'The Living Vine Church'. Earlier this week, I noticed a sign out front that said "Living Vine Church: Growing faithful Christians" (also of note is the fact that their advertised 'Contemporary Service' is held at 11:11 am, which should tell you something).

I instantly envisioned the inside of this Church: in the place of pews, rows of soil, with little Christians of all shapes and sizes poking their heads up. The pastor, wearing a robe and rubber gardening gloves, walking slowly among his parish. Watering their eager little heads, he gently speaks agricultural words of Scripture: "I am the Vine and you are the branches", "the harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few" "The kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed..." (I could go on and on here).

I poke fun, but obviously The Living Vine is aiming for something, and they're probably hitting the mark. Most Evangelical Protestant Churches work really hard to draw in people enmeshed in modern culture by playing to their emotions, welcoming them, "loving on them" (as we say in YoungLife), and I respect them for that. The Catholic Church, in contrast, is typically viewed by non-Christians and Protestants alike, as being inhospitable, unapproachable, and self-contained. To which I say: they're right.

However, that statement must be qualified with the following points, each of which deserves (and will likely get, at a later date) its own post:

1. The Catholic Church is explicit in its mission: evangelize (ie save souls).

2. Though Catholics may "fail" in this area, it is NOT a reflection on the Church's doctrine. It is a reflection on human nature.

3. Though Catholics may not be known for their potluck Sundays and hugs after Church, exceptions exist. There are some kick-ass Catholics out there evangelizing like Baptists wouldn't believe.

To come on this: What the Bible (and Catechism) has to say about evangelizing, why Catholics suck at it, and the people trying to give them a good name (hint: there is a rapping Priest involved).