Under What Circumstances Would You Visit a Non-LDS Christian Church?

[Navidad]

The Elders Quorum meeting of our small ward probably averages about 25 men a Sunday. Some time ago, in the teaching session the teacher asked the men how many of them had visited a church service of another Christian group and what was their experience? There was a connection to his question in the general conference talk we were discussing. One man raised his hand and indicated that he had gone to a wedding of one of his employees. Of course they all looked at me and laughed, stating I was the expert on that question!  I was surprised that of the men, the youngest of whom was probably in his thirties, the oldest in his nineties, including an emeritus general authority, only one acknowledged having darkened the door of a non-LDS church. BTW, our resident general authority emeritus at 92 years of age has made my wife and I feel so welcome. What a Godly giant of a man! We love and appreciate him so. I might also add that I am unaware of any convert LDS men in that quorum, so that might make our situation unique. 

That brought to my mind a question that I will ask of you all. Under what circumstances and/or situation would you attend a service or event or perhaps allow your child to visit the same in a non-LDS church or private school? Under what circumstances would you not? 

Some examples that come to my mind:

Your neighbor's child is performing the lead to Aladdin in the auditorium of the local Catholic school which he attends. They invite you to come along to support their son. 

Your boss's daughter is getting married in the local Greek Orthodox church (chosen at random) and he invited you to attend.

You are a bishop and are invited to attend a community inter-faith service or meeting

Your employee's daughter has a quinceanera mass in a Catholic church.

Your non-LDS daughter invites you to attend a special concert of some type at her Community of Christ church.

I could go on and on, but these are just examples that came to my mind. What would go through your mind as you made a decision whether or not to attend? 

Is there any guidance or advice from the hierarchy on attending or participating in non-LDS services? Thanks for your participation in this thread. I am making no presuppositions about what your answers will be. I know our bishop and patriarch have gone to Mennonite gatherings in our broad area. So I am not assuming or looking for validation of anything. Thanks again

Edited March 14, 2020 by Navidad

[bluebell]

I’ve visited other churches before, sometimes just to understand their beliefs better and sometimes because I know someone who is doing something at that church and I’ve been invited to watch. 

[Tacenda]

I wish I would have taken my children to visit different faiths once in a while! I know that some LDS do that, and go to Palm Sunday and other holidays at other faiths. I think it is a wonderful idea for people to see others' beliefs, helps people be more open minded. I'll bet you get tons on here that have visited other faiths, especially returned missionaries. My husband even spoke at non LDS churches (mainly Baptist churches in Mississippi) on his mission. When I had my faith crisis, I visited a Baptist church, a Presbyterian, and a Evangelical Bible church. Now I really want to visit a Buddhist church. ETA: Forgot these, Catholic church, and the Community of Christ church. 

 

Edited March 14, 2020 by Tacenda

[webbles]

I've been to several other Christian church services.

Probably my most memorable experience was when my extended family once had a trip where we planned to go to a regular church meeting.  On Sunday, after dressing and heading towards the church building, we found out that it was closed (I don't remember the reason).  Since we already we dressed and had planned to go to church, we found a Catholic mass that had the same time so we went there instead.  All of us are active latter-day saints.

I've also attended Community of Christ meetings (when they were still RLDS), and various other Christian church services.

[InCognitus]

I've attended other churches when I've been invited by others.  I welcome more opportunities to do that.

I've even been invited by a friend to attended (and have attended) other church small group meetings that turned into large group meetings when they invited someone well-known from another ministry in to teach them about "Mormonism".  That was a real blast .

 

[Jane_Doe]

I used to regularly visit all sorts of random churches, just to see, learn, and better love the people there.  Nowadays logistics don't really permit me to do that in person, though I still participate in many on-line forums.  

"Your neighbor's child is performing the lead to Aladdin in the auditorium of the local Catholic school which he attends. They invite you to come along to support their son. "  -- I'm there 100%.  Note: I also would consider my daughter attending a private non-LDS school too, if that wee the schooling situation we were in.  

"Your boss's daughter is getting married in the local Greek Orthodox church (chosen at random) and he invited you to attend."  -- There 100%!  I've attended & participated in weddings in a huge variety of churches.  

"You are a bishop and are invited to attend a community inter-faith service or meeting" -- I've never been a bishop, but some of my favorite memories are from attending inter-faith services, particularly Christmas carol's singing.

"Your employee's daughter has a quinceanera mass in a Catholic church." -- sure.  Growing up, my good friend was Catholic.  I attended services for Confirmation, Good Friday, weddings, spring festivals, and just random visits.

"Your non-LDS daughter invites you to attend a special concert of some type at her Community of Christ church." - again, totally there.  

 

 

 

"What would go through your mind as you made a decision whether or not to attend?"  If I'm invited for a special event, then that's special and I'll make special accommodations for it.  If it's just random, right now I have logistical constraints so I don't just randomly visit anymore.  

"Is there any guidance or advice from the hierarchy on attending or participating in non-LDS services?"   Nothing particular.  I don't partake of Catholic Communion, because that would be inconsiderate of Catholic beliefs (just for example).  I don't really seek 'guidance' so to say there, but fellowshipping I'm all on board.  

[Bernard Gui]

12 hours ago, Navidad said:

That brought to my mind a question that I will ask of you all. Under what circumstances and/or situation would you attend a service or event or perhaps allow your child to visit the same in a non-LDS church or private school? Under what circumstances would you not? 

I would have no hesitation attending another church...Christian or otherwise. I can’t recall being invited to attend another service other than by someone tracting the neighborhood. Maybe by friends when I was a youth....

As a violinist, I have performed in many non-LDS wedding and worship services. I was a paid orchestra member in a local BIG box church’s production of Scrooge the Musical for 20 years. At least 14 sold-out performances every year. That’s a lot of altar calls and Christmas sermons. I try to attend midnight Christmas Mass at the Polish Catholic Church in Tacoma every year in memory of my grandfather who was choir director, organist, sexton, and teacher at Our Lady of Mt Carmel Church in Bayonne, NJ. I sang in the Mt Carmel Easter Mass choir once a few years ago. I attended a bitterly anti-Mormon seminar in a Lutheran Church in Illinois once. That was interesting.

Edited March 15, 2020 by Bernard Gui

[Rain]

2 hours ago, Navidad said:

The Elders Quorum meeting of our small ward probably averages about 25 men a Sunday. Some time ago, in the teaching session the teacher asked the men how many of them had visited a church service of another Christian group and what was their experience? There was a connection to his question in the general conference talk we were discussing. One man raised his hand and indicated that he had gone to a wedding of one of his employees. Of course they all looked at me and laughed, stating I was the expert on that question!  I was surprised that of the men, the youngest of whom was probably in his thirties, the oldest in his nineties, including an emeritus general authority, only one acknowledged having darkened the door of a non-LDS church. BTW, our resident general authority emeritus at 92 years of age has made my wife and I feel so welcome. What a Godly giant of a man! We love and appreciate him so. I might also add that I am unaware of any convert LDS men in that quorum, so that might make our situation unique. 

That brought to my mind a question that I will ask of you all. Under what circumstances and/or situation would you attend a service or event or perhaps allow your child to visit the same in a non-LDS church or private school? Under what circumstances would you not? 

Some examples that come to my mind:

 

2 hours ago, Navidad said:

Your neighbor's child is performing the lead to Aladdin in the auditorium of the local Catholic school which he attends. They invite you to come along to support their son. 

All these are assuming timing & distance are not an issue:

Would definitely go.

2 hours ago, Navidad said:

Your boss's daughter is getting married in the local Greek Orthodox church (chosen at random) and he invited you to attend.

I think I've done this.

2 hours ago, Navidad said:

You are a bishop and are invited to attend a community inter-faith service or meeting

Not a bishop, but I have done it including meetings with jews and muslims.

2 hours ago, Navidad said:

Your employee's daughter has a quinceanera mass in a Catholic church.

I went to one at the fairgrounds.  Does this count?

2 hours ago, Navidad said:

Your non-LDS daughter invites you to attend a special concert of some type at her Community of Christ church.

Done it.

2 hours ago, Navidad said:

I could go on and on, but these are just examples that came to my mind. What would go through your mind as you made a decision whether or not to attend? 

I've gone to a funeral in a non lds christian church. Prayers in a muslem mosque.  

When we were in Grenada we were on the north of the island with no car and it was expensive to get a driver. We went to services next to the property of our airbnb.  The owner told us that the music and singing had been so loud that he couldn't hold a conversation. So he talked with them and they were quieter now.  If what we experienced was quiet then I can't imagine loud!

It was great!  It happened to be father's day.  They had my husband stand at the front (twice) with other fathers while they sang and sang. He finally had to sit down on the second song as he was getting dizzy after being there so long.  Two little boys did some kind dance.  

Luckily we were told you could come and go as you wanted because the music went on a good long time and we continued to hear it at our room a long time after we left.

What would go through my mind if I was invited?  Timing and convenience. Otherwise I would go if invited.

2 hours ago, Navidad said:

Is there any guidance or advice from the hierarchy on attending or participating in non-LDS services? Thanks for your participation in this thread. I am making no presuppositions about what your answers will be. I know our bishop and patriarch have gone to Mennonite gatherings in our broad area. So I am not assuming or looking for validation of anything. Thanks again

 

[Kenngo1969]

There would be nothing preventing me from celebrating the devotion of my Christian friends by attending services with them, except that many of my Sundays are quite full already.  I don't know that I would feel any more uncomfortable there than I would feel if I were to go somewhere else where I'm not sure what to expect, such as to a meeting of the local Elks Lodge.  Such a prospect is not, however, so far out of my comfort zone that I would reject it out-of-hand.  I think that Midnight Mass, for example, would be quite interesting.

[mfbukowski]

3 hours ago, Navidad said:

The Elders Quorum meeting of our small ward probably averages about 25 men a Sunday. Some time ago, in the teaching session the teacher asked the men how many of them had visited a church service of another Christian group and what was their experience? There was a connection to his question in the general conference talk we were discussing. One man raised his hand and indicated that he had gone to a wedding of one of his employees. Of course they all looked at me and laughed, stating I was the expert on that question!  I was surprised that of the men, the youngest of whom was probably in his thirties, the oldest in his nineties, including an emeritus general authority, only one acknowledged having darkened the door of a non-LDS church. BTW, our resident general authority emeritus at 92 years of age has made my wife and I feel so welcome. What a Godly giant of a man! We love and appreciate him so. I might also add that I am unaware of any convert LDS men in that quorum, so that might make our situation unique. 

That brought to my mind a question that I will ask of you all. Under what circumstances and/or situation would you attend a service or event or perhaps allow your child to visit the same in a non-LDS church or private school? Under what circumstances would you not? 

Some examples that come to my mind:

Your neighbor's child is performing the lead to Aladdin in the auditorium of the local Catholic school which he attends. They invite you to come along to support their son. 

Your boss's daughter is getting married in the local Greek Orthodox church (chosen at random) and he invited you to attend.

You are a bishop and are invited to attend a community inter-faith service or meeting

Your employee's daughter has a quinceanera mass in a Catholic church.

Your non-LDS daughter invites you to attend a special concert of some type at her Community of Christ church.

I could go on and on, but these are just examples that came to my mind. What would go through your mind as you made a decision whether or not to attend? 

Is there any guidance or advice from the hierarchy on attending or participating in non-LDS services? Thanks for your participation in this thread. I am making no presuppositions about what your answers will be. I know our bishop and patriarch have gone to Mennonite gatherings in our broad area. So I am not assuming or looking for validation of anything. Thanks again

I do it fairly regularly.

My whole family is Catholic.  There are no converts in your whole Ward? No wonder it is a little different.

We have had Outreach programs with a number of black churches in our area. I love The Rockin and Rollin and singing and clapping.

I have been to several funerals in non-denominational Christian churches and everyone was crying like crazy, weeping and wailing.

Our funerals are extremely tame compared to pretty much all others that I have attended from other churches, had tell him to be more celebrations of life than anything else.

No, there are no prohibitions against such visiting. But Utah is a nation as to itself so who knows what they do in Utah.  

You need to visit a real-life mixed American Ward, full of diversity.

If you ever get to L A let me know. You will see every nationality.

We actually have to do our stake conferences in three different languages.

[Duncan]

I'd go if I was travelling or invited out by someone, food, food is always a draw. We have a Ukrainian Church down the street and every year it's perogy night , packed, I say packed. My parents go to churches for fall suppers all the time, they have a brief message and time to eat!

[mfbukowski]

19 minutes ago, Kenngo1969 said:

I think that Midnight Mass, for example, would be quite interesting.

I try to go every year. But at least I watch it on TV

I love the Latin mass, if you can find one.  Gregorian chant is the best!

[mfbukowski]

5 minutes ago, Duncan said:

I'd go if I was travelling or invited out by someone, food, food is always a draw. We have a Ukrainian Church down the street and every year it's perogy night , packed, I say packed. My parents go to churches for fall suppers all the time, they have a brief message and time to eat!

We always have a traditional Polish Easter breakfast on Easter, after church.

It's a big deal!

https://culture.pl/en/article/polish-easter-traditions

 

Edited March 14, 2020 by mfbukowski

[Navidad]

32 minutes ago, mfbukowski said:

I do it fairly regularly.

My whole family is Catholic.  There are no converts in your whole Ward? No wonder it is a little different.

We have had Outreach programs with a number of black churches in our area. I love The Rockin and Rollin and singing and clapping.

I have been to several funerals in non-denominational Christian churches and everyone was crying like crazy, weeping and wailing.

Our funerals are extremely tame compared to pretty much all others that I have attended from other churches, had tell him to be more celebrations of life than anything else.

No, there are no prohibitions against such visiting. But Utah is a nation as to itself so who knows what they do in Utah.  

You need to visit a real-life mixed American Ward, full of diversity.

If you ever get to L A let me know. You will see every nationality.

We actually have to do our stake conferences in three different languages.

Hi Amigo - Just to clarify. I was indicating that I don't know of any converts in our Elders Quorum. I wasn't referring to the entire ward. Sorry for the confusion. In Elders Quorum everyone pretty much sits in the same seats every other week. As I go down the rows in my mind all I see are Turleys, Johnsons, Romneys, Calls, Hawkins, Romneys, did I mention Romneys, Taylors, Farnsworths, Forsgrens, Whettens, and more Whettens. Needless to say they are all many generation LDS! It is a homegrown bunch! 

[Navidad]

41 minutes ago, Duncan said:

I'd go if I was travelling or invited out by someone, food, food is always a draw. We have a Ukrainian Church down the street and every year it's perogy night , packed, I say packed. My parents go to churches for fall suppers all the time, they have a brief message and time to eat!

If you are in Canada, look up your local Mennonite Church! One thing for sure, wherever there are Mennonites there is lots of food! BTW, it is entirely posible that the one greatest commonality between Mennonites and Mormons (at least Anglo Mennonite Mexicans and Anglo Mormon Mexicans) is a passion for snickerdoodles. There is never a pot luck or fireside without them! 

[MustardSeed]

I went to Seattle a few times to St Marks Cathedral just to hear the men in robes sing the Sunday night complain service at 9:30.  I highly highly recommend it.

[Vanguard]

5 hours ago, Navidad said:

The Elders Quorum meeting of our small ward probably averages about 25 men a Sunday. Some time ago, in the teaching session the teacher asked the men how many of them had visited a church service of another Christian group and what was their experience? There was a connection to his question in the general conference talk we were discussing. One man raised his hand and indicated that he had gone to a wedding of one of his employees. Of course they all looked at me and laughed, stating I was the expert on that question!  I was surprised that of the men, the youngest of whom was probably in his thirties, the oldest in his nineties, including an emeritus general authority, only one acknowledged having darkened the door of a non-LDS church. BTW, our resident general authority emeritus at 92 years of age has made my wife and I feel so welcome. What a Godly giant of a man! We love and appreciate him so. I might also add that I am unaware of any convert LDS men in that quorum, so that might make our situation unique. 

That brought to my mind a question that I will ask of you all. Under what circumstances and/or situation would you attend a service or event or perhaps allow your child to visit the same in a non-LDS church or private school? Under what circumstances would you not? 

Some examples that come to my mind:

Your neighbor's child is performing the lead to Aladdin in the auditorium of the local Catholic school which he attends. They invite you to come along to support their son. 

Your boss's daughter is getting married in the local Greek Orthodox church (chosen at random) and he invited you to attend.

You are a bishop and are invited to attend a community inter-faith service or meeting

Your employee's daughter has a quinceanera mass in a Catholic church.

Your non-LDS daughter invites you to attend a special concert of some type at her Community of Christ church.

I could go on and on, but these are just examples that came to my mind. What would go through your mind as you made a decision whether or not to attend? 

Is there any guidance or advice from the hierarchy on attending or participating in non-LDS services? Thanks for your participation in this thread. I am making no presuppositions about what your answers will be. I know our bishop and patriarch have gone to Mennonite gatherings in our broad area. So I am not assuming or looking for validation of anything. Thanks again

Those are great questions. I have thought about the very thing often and especially as it relates to my two minor children. Would I let them go to a worship service just because one of their girlfriends invited them? Let me tell you - it smacks as a double standard for sure. I'll advocate for bringing those same girls to our services with the reasoning that "come on, it's not like we're going to try and convert them!" But when the shoe is on the other foot...well, you know... ; )

[mfbukowski]

1 hour ago, Navidad said:

Hi Amigo - Just to clarify. I was indicating that I don't know of any converts in our Elders Quorum. I wasn't referring to the entire ward. Sorry for the confusion. In Elders Quorum everyone pretty much sits in the same seats every other week. As I go down the rows in my mind all I see are Turleys, Johnsons, Romneys, Calls, Hawkins, Romneys, did I mention Romneys, Taylors, Farnsworths, Forsgrens, Whettens, and more Whettens. Needless to say they are all many generation LDS! It is a homegrown bunch! 

Just kidding, but I have to say it.

Inbreeding.  😜

I can say that because my grandchildren's mother is from one of those families.

Of course it's okay for the gene pool because I am 100% Polish.  The rest of my family didn't know what a Mormon was, and neither did I until about a month before I was baptized.

When God hits you upside the head with a two-by-four yo Surrender.

Like Joseph, I knew and I knew that He knew that I knew. 😲

Edited March 15, 2020 by mfbukowski

[mfbukowski]

1 hour ago, MustardSeed said:

I went to Seattle a few times to St Marks Cathedral just to hear the men in robes sing the Sunday night complain service at 9:30.  I highly highly recommend it.

"Complain service"?

[The Nehor]

6 hours ago, Navidad said:

Your neighbor's child is performing the lead to Aladdin in the auditorium of the local Catholic school which he attends. They invite you to come along to support their son. 

Your boss's daughter is getting married in the local Greek Orthodox church (chosen at random) and he invited you to attend.

You are a bishop and are invited to attend a community inter-faith service or meeting

Your employee's daughter has a quinceanera mass in a Catholic church.

Your non-LDS daughter invites you to attend a special concert of some type at her Community of Christ church.

I could go on and on, but these are just examples that came to my mind. What would go through your mind as you made a decision whether or not to attend? 

No, maybe if I had a good relationship with the child or a child who was friends with him.

Nah, unless I knew her well. Weddings are for people who know the bride and groom well in my opinion. I generally do not go to events for work colleagues in general unless they are also friends. I certainly do not want to go to stuff for their children.

Same as last one.

Maybe. If she is performing definitely. Otherwise would depend on if I thought I would enjoy it. I might go with that one just to enjoy time with daughter as well.

 

[Anakin7]

 Have been to Roman Catholic Orthodox, Coptic Egyptian Catholic Orthodox, Greek Catholic Orthodox, Methodist, Baptist [Southern + Fundamentalist Independent] , Calvary Chapel, Church of Christ, Non Denominational, Reorganized LDS,, Jehovah Witness, Thats about it.

The Atonement It Is The Central Doctrine

Washing My Garment In His Blood

In His Eternal Debt/Grace

He Died To Make Man Holy

Anakin7.

[Calm]

If I would go to something outside a church, I would definitely go to it in a church....and have. 

If someone invited me to go to a service, I probably would.

I have visited several churches on my own (Catholic and Orthodox) as well, a few during services. I feel awkward doing it in Utah because it feels like sightseeing here. 

[MustardSeed]

1 hour ago, mfbukowski said:

"Complain service"?

Whoops... compline ! Lol

[mfbukowski]

1 hour ago, MustardSeed said:

Whoops... compline ! Lol

Aha! Episcopal!

They are now more Catholic than the Catholics !

https://www.complinechoir.org/

Part of the Brieviary- I get it now.  Rarely heard outside of monasteries.

[jcake]

I have attended Presbyterian, Catholic, Baptist, Lutheran and a so called non-denominational church, and enjoyed them all on several levels.  How can I expect friends to attend my church and not be willing to attend theirs?