Christian Outreach Centre and St Stephen’s Catholic Church are two completely different Churches that are based on the same idea. Christianity is what brings these two vastly different churches together, however despite their common threads their opinions couldn’t be any more different. They both share similar core beliefs; however their views and opinions are widely different when it comes to Holy Communion, prayer, traditions and their history.
Christian Outreach Centre is a denomination within Protestantism. Protestantism first began back in the 1500’s when Martin Luther questioned the teachings of the Catholic Church. He questioned them because he felt no matter how carefully he followed the Church; he didn’t seem to be developing a closer relationship with God. Martin then wrote the 95 theses, which is considered the beginning of Protestantism. After going up against the Catholic Church for a number of years, Martin wrote the Augsburg Confession which was a document stating the Protestants beliefs. From here on, many different denominations started to develop some of these including Calvinism and the Reformed Church. One of the more recent denominations created was by Clark Taylor, whom in 1974 held a meeting in his Brisbane suburban home. Twenty-five people showed up, and this was considered the first movement by Christian Outreach Centre. This denomination of Protestantism has now spread over 31 countries with over 1000 churches. (Christian Outreach Centre Australia, 2008)
The history of both Churches plays a very big part in the creation of differences. This can be seen when attending the separate services. Christian Outreach Centre holds a service which doesn’t have a set liturgy and very minimal structure. In complete contrast to this, the Catholic Church has a strict liturgy called mass. Each mass follows a concrete structure that is never changed. This structure, has been built upon over millennium’s to form a traditional service now know as mass. During mass, Catholics can choose whether or not they would like to partake in Holy Communion. This is where some bread is eaten and some whine drunk to remember the sacrifice which Jesus did for us. During the Holy Communion Catholics believe that the bread and wine turn into the actual flesh and blood of Jesus Christ. On the other hand, Christian Outreach Centre performs Holy Communion very rarely. When it is partaken, the COC church believes that it stays as bread and wine and does not change into Jesus Christ. As well as this obvious difference between the two denominations and the partaking of Holy Communion, COC does not base its service on the Holy Communion, while the Catholic Church does.
Both churches share the common belief that Jesus Christ is second in the trinity and that he died on the cross to save humanity from their sins. Both also believe that the Bible is the word of God, and that by following it you become closer to him. COC believe that only Jesus can forgive you for the sins which you commit. In complete contrast to this, the Catholic Church believes that Priests can also grant forgiveness for sins. Another difference can be seen when discussing saints. COC believe that you can only pray to God and not traditional saints. As well as this it is said that anyone who follows Christ is in sainthood or already a saint (Christian Outreach Centre Australia, 2008). On the other hand, Priests and high up Clergymen in the Catholic Church determine whether or not someone can become a saint. It is advised to Church members by Priests to pray to saints for help and guidance through life (Catholic Australia, 1994).
Despite the many differences between St Stephen’s Catholic Church and Citipointe Christian Centre Christian Outreach College, both work in bringing people closer to God. Both of these Churches have their different opinions about tradition, beliefs and the Bible and this seems to be the only thing that will separate them.
Bibliography
Catholic Australia. (1994). Saints. Retrieved June 6, 2010, from CatholicAus: http://www.catholicaustralia.com.au/page.php?pg=prayer-saints
Christian Outreach Centre Australia. (2008). About Us. Retrieved June 6, 2010, from COC: http://www.coc.org.au/about/default.aspx
Christian Outreach Centre Australia. (2008). Statement of Faith. Retrieved June 6, 2010, from COC: http://www.coc.org.au/about/believe.aspx
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