I was adopted at 14 days old, baptised as an infant and raised by Mother and Father who are practicing Catholics: I came to regard the Roman Catholic Church as the only legitimate universal church. First established in Rome with Peter as the Rock (Mt 16). I saw the Papacy as a direct descendant of Peter holding the keys to the kingdom of heaven on earth.
I was taught primarily from gospel parables at mass and through catholic elementary school. I was never encouraged to read a Bible. When I say one it was one based on the Vulgate translation included the added Apocryphal books, which I would come to learn as being uninspired
I was taught through these books that I could atone for my sins after death in Purgatory and perform earthly penance to atone for them now. There seemed to be a strange distinction between serious Mortal and less serious. Venial sins. All sin seemed to be an offense, and I could not understand the distinction. I was encouraged to pray for the Dead and of the intercession of Mary and the Saints.
As a child I possessed no assurance of salvation. I never actually really recall hearing the word and I was taught that I could only have security as I obey the Roman Catholic Church.
From the little teaching that I had, I could clearly see myself as a sinner, needing forgiveness. I was told that through the observance of the mass and works that I may safely rely. Through ritualism such as the Stations of the Cross, the Rosary and other actions I tried to please God.
I looked for ways to please God. I persisted at an early age to become an alter Boy. I recall meeting with a priest and beginning the process. I delighted in having a more active participation in the mass. During periods such a lent, I recall going every day to mass. Regardless of how often we celebrated the mass however, elements like the cup was withheld and I was told of the mystery of transubstantion where the Eucharist wafer and wine become the actual body and blood of Christ.
I admired the priests. One priest in particular, Father Chris, seemed like such a kind and loving person. He would answer my questions. One day I went to him and said that I would like to become a priest and would like to meet with him and his wife to talk about it. He informed me of the Celibacy of the priesthood, and as a young hormonal boy, I then dismissed the priesthood.
Marriage itself seemed strange, for I head of the ability through Annulment to just declare that a marriage did not really occur.
I went though the second sacrament of Confirmation at about 12. Through high school I continued attending the Church and eventually had the opportunity to become a brother in the Knights of Columbus, the catholic fraternal organization. I went through the degrees and eventually attained the highest order of the fourth degree. I was by far the youngest to go though this and it seemed like quite an honor.
I enjoyed attending religious retreats at the Augustinian monastery: Mary lake at King city. I met some seminarians and before I could serious reconsider the priesthood again, hormones took over and won the fight.
As most young men find out, moving out of the house puts everything to the test. When I left home to go to the University of Guelph, my spiritual direction was truly up to me. I went to the on campus mass and when I needed to talk to a priest, I could find him in the campus bar. When I moved off campus, one of my roommates was catholic and we went to mass off campus.
I enjoyed singing in the choir and playing trumpet in the Guelph cathedral: Church of Our Lady. The beauty was awesome. I awe only lasted for a season, just like the pictures of the saints around the cathedral we actually the faces of local people, the answers to the big questions were just a charade of tradition and blind faith.
The watershed moment of my inadequacy came when I sat in the campus cafeteria, and a worker from Campus crusade for Christ talked with me. He showed me how my sin separated me from a Holy God and only Christ could bridge the gap. For the first time everything came together. I realized that all my works would not enable me to reach God and only knowing, loving and trusting Christ alone would.
I left the discussion determined to find answers. I met with a priest and asked him specific theological questions. I asked him all the elements about what I was taught. Eventually exasperated with me he said: “son let me help you understand: That book you are holding is the small book, life is the big book”. That’s it. That is where the buck stops. Instead of the word of God it was experience through me and other church leaders. I did not agree with him but like a light coming on, the different perspectives were finally clear.
From that point onward I knew that Roman Catholicism was biblically bankrupt and relying on the teachings of men. When I left the Roman Catholic Church I was declared to be anathema or accursed. But I saw in Scripture (Gal 1:9) that anyone who preaches any other Gospel is accursed. I saw that there is only one mediator between God and man (1 Tim 2:5). Neither Mary nor any other saint may intercede between God and man. My faith is built on the Rock (Mt 16) Perra Christ not the Petros who is Peter. As a Hierarchy, I saw from 1 Cor 2: The natural man receiveth not the things of God. I saw from Jn 17: That we need to be Sanctified (separate unto holiness). The Wheat and the tears will remain together until the end of the age, but like in Jn 17, there will be those who are like Judas and the Pharisees, thinking they are close to Jesus but lost. He will one day say those terrible words, Depart from me ye workers of iniquity, I never know you. I say that we could not be unequally yoked (2 Cor 6:14) claiming to worship with those who are fundamentally different in belief from ourselves. I saw the scriptures teaching (Jn 14: 23) that for someone to claim that they love Jesus, they must keep his commands.
That obedience came to development when I met Lisa. Every date we had resulted in a barrage of theological questions directed at me. Lisa always went away confused for I answered from an orthodox Biblical perspective and not a Catholic one.
Maranatha Baptist Church in Paris was the first place I received any systematic theological training. I made the public declaration of my belief on July 18, 1993 through baptism by immersion. When I went into the workforce after university, a workplace co liege suggested that I consider the Pastorate. I dismissed the notion considering my relative recent theological training and I regarded myself as having a poor memory. But the Holy Spirit continued to work on me and used that encouragement to continue in prayer and discussion of the matter. I entered Heritage theological Seminary and began as the student pastor here.
I enjoyed teaching classes here and after seminary accepted a position to a reformed congregation in Hamilton. I examined the statement of faith and falsely assumed the congregation believed their own written statement of faith. I soon found that the leadership of the congregation did not hold the Bible as their final authority and I was told not to use it so much in ministry. I was told what passage to preach from, how long to preach, what to teach through the week, how to worship and how to officiate the table and refrain from any church discipline. Showing the true authority, one woman held up a prayer book and said that “this is our bible”. Even with such restriction put late in the game I remained faithful to the word of God and even though I was told what to preach, I used those text to preach the doctrine contained there in. I became so offensive that one day I received a letter in the mail not to return. No hearing, no face-to-face accusation and no charges.
Seeing the importance of the need for Scripture to regarded and used as the final authority to test all thing of faith and practice, I accepted a call to be a resource consultant for Sola Scriptura in Guelph. Now I answer theological questions, develop Internet listings, organize office systems, search out specific theological material from a confessional orthodox stance, meet with pastors and ministry leaders, and conduct conferences on specific theological topics.
It was my background in the Canadian Military that shaped my acceptance of the concept of submission. In the military I had orders. That was the mission. I also had the obligation to obey every lawful order. I was "under" orders, that was the "sub" in submission. Submission explains salvation (Phil. 2:9-11), the roles in the home, from spouses to kids, our relation to others in the church, leadership, employers to how we relate to Government. The term therefore not only helps us understand our roles but our purposes and objectives.
As I continued to work in the “secular” workforce, it was frequently suggested to me to consider pastoral ministry. I found many excuses to avoid doing this but God continued to work through His saints and prayer for me to pursue this path. I began seminary and started teaching in my local church. I came to see that God has given me gifts and talents that allow me to minister to His people in love. I have realized and it has been confirmed through feedback from respondents, that God has given me the spiritual gifts of the ability to give wise advise (wisdom), faith, discernment (1 Cor. 12:8-10) teaching, helps (1 Cor. 12:28), encouragement, leadership (Rom. 12:1-8) evangelism and shepherding (Acts 20:18, Eph. 4:16, 1 Pt. 5:2). I cannot neglect the gifts with which he has blessed me with (1 Tim. 4:14) and cannot but speak and serve (Acts 4:20). I have recognized God's calling on my life for salvation (2 Cor. 13:5), service (Eph. 2:10), seeing confirmation from others (1 Tim. 4:14), by God (1 Cor. 16:8-9), gifting (Eph. 4:11-12) longing for ministry (1 Tim. 3:1) and acknowledgement of character (1 Tim. 3:1-7, Titus 1:6-9).
Through the affirmation of others (Acts 13:3; 14:23; 1 Tim. 4:14) and fruit (Mt. 7:16-20) evident in their lives, I find great joy in God using me to equip His saints for the work of ministry (Eph. 4:12). Careful examination by myself and others have confirmed the moral qualifications of 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1 for pastoral ministry. I have no greater desire that to glorify Him by being His instrument in pastoral ministry (1 Tim. 3:1).
For the past 11 years, the privilege of being the Senior Pastor of Everton Community Church. This blessing has allowed me to preach through major sections of scripture, establish a deacon’s ministry, discipleship program including foundational training, personal assessment and evangelism training. It has been a joy to see the fruit of a vibrant outreach ministry involving community groups that reach out to non-Christians meeting in believers homes for a meal, short video and discussion. All in all, I believe God has called me to a broader, more multicultural ministry here at Safe Haven and I pray this can be a fruitful ministry where God will be glorified through us all.
Your servant in Christ;
Pastor Matthew Kratz
pastorkratz@rogers.com
I was taught primarily from gospel parables at mass and through catholic elementary school. I was never encouraged to read a Bible. When I say one it was one based on the Vulgate translation included the added Apocryphal books, which I would come to learn as being uninspired
I was taught through these books that I could atone for my sins after death in Purgatory and perform earthly penance to atone for them now. There seemed to be a strange distinction between serious Mortal and less serious. Venial sins. All sin seemed to be an offense, and I could not understand the distinction. I was encouraged to pray for the Dead and of the intercession of Mary and the Saints.
As a child I possessed no assurance of salvation. I never actually really recall hearing the word and I was taught that I could only have security as I obey the Roman Catholic Church.
From the little teaching that I had, I could clearly see myself as a sinner, needing forgiveness. I was told that through the observance of the mass and works that I may safely rely. Through ritualism such as the Stations of the Cross, the Rosary and other actions I tried to please God.
I looked for ways to please God. I persisted at an early age to become an alter Boy. I recall meeting with a priest and beginning the process. I delighted in having a more active participation in the mass. During periods such a lent, I recall going every day to mass. Regardless of how often we celebrated the mass however, elements like the cup was withheld and I was told of the mystery of transubstantion where the Eucharist wafer and wine become the actual body and blood of Christ.
I admired the priests. One priest in particular, Father Chris, seemed like such a kind and loving person. He would answer my questions. One day I went to him and said that I would like to become a priest and would like to meet with him and his wife to talk about it. He informed me of the Celibacy of the priesthood, and as a young hormonal boy, I then dismissed the priesthood.
Marriage itself seemed strange, for I head of the ability through Annulment to just declare that a marriage did not really occur.
I went though the second sacrament of Confirmation at about 12. Through high school I continued attending the Church and eventually had the opportunity to become a brother in the Knights of Columbus, the catholic fraternal organization. I went through the degrees and eventually attained the highest order of the fourth degree. I was by far the youngest to go though this and it seemed like quite an honor.
I enjoyed attending religious retreats at the Augustinian monastery: Mary lake at King city. I met some seminarians and before I could serious reconsider the priesthood again, hormones took over and won the fight.
As most young men find out, moving out of the house puts everything to the test. When I left home to go to the University of Guelph, my spiritual direction was truly up to me. I went to the on campus mass and when I needed to talk to a priest, I could find him in the campus bar. When I moved off campus, one of my roommates was catholic and we went to mass off campus.
I enjoyed singing in the choir and playing trumpet in the Guelph cathedral: Church of Our Lady. The beauty was awesome. I awe only lasted for a season, just like the pictures of the saints around the cathedral we actually the faces of local people, the answers to the big questions were just a charade of tradition and blind faith.
The watershed moment of my inadequacy came when I sat in the campus cafeteria, and a worker from Campus crusade for Christ talked with me. He showed me how my sin separated me from a Holy God and only Christ could bridge the gap. For the first time everything came together. I realized that all my works would not enable me to reach God and only knowing, loving and trusting Christ alone would.
I left the discussion determined to find answers. I met with a priest and asked him specific theological questions. I asked him all the elements about what I was taught. Eventually exasperated with me he said: “son let me help you understand: That book you are holding is the small book, life is the big book”. That’s it. That is where the buck stops. Instead of the word of God it was experience through me and other church leaders. I did not agree with him but like a light coming on, the different perspectives were finally clear.
From that point onward I knew that Roman Catholicism was biblically bankrupt and relying on the teachings of men. When I left the Roman Catholic Church I was declared to be anathema or accursed. But I saw in Scripture (Gal 1:9) that anyone who preaches any other Gospel is accursed. I saw that there is only one mediator between God and man (1 Tim 2:5). Neither Mary nor any other saint may intercede between God and man. My faith is built on the Rock (Mt 16) Perra Christ not the Petros who is Peter. As a Hierarchy, I saw from 1 Cor 2: The natural man receiveth not the things of God. I saw from Jn 17: That we need to be Sanctified (separate unto holiness). The Wheat and the tears will remain together until the end of the age, but like in Jn 17, there will be those who are like Judas and the Pharisees, thinking they are close to Jesus but lost. He will one day say those terrible words, Depart from me ye workers of iniquity, I never know you. I say that we could not be unequally yoked (2 Cor 6:14) claiming to worship with those who are fundamentally different in belief from ourselves. I saw the scriptures teaching (Jn 14: 23) that for someone to claim that they love Jesus, they must keep his commands.
That obedience came to development when I met Lisa. Every date we had resulted in a barrage of theological questions directed at me. Lisa always went away confused for I answered from an orthodox Biblical perspective and not a Catholic one.
Maranatha Baptist Church in Paris was the first place I received any systematic theological training. I made the public declaration of my belief on July 18, 1993 through baptism by immersion. When I went into the workforce after university, a workplace co liege suggested that I consider the Pastorate. I dismissed the notion considering my relative recent theological training and I regarded myself as having a poor memory. But the Holy Spirit continued to work on me and used that encouragement to continue in prayer and discussion of the matter. I entered Heritage theological Seminary and began as the student pastor here.
I enjoyed teaching classes here and after seminary accepted a position to a reformed congregation in Hamilton. I examined the statement of faith and falsely assumed the congregation believed their own written statement of faith. I soon found that the leadership of the congregation did not hold the Bible as their final authority and I was told not to use it so much in ministry. I was told what passage to preach from, how long to preach, what to teach through the week, how to worship and how to officiate the table and refrain from any church discipline. Showing the true authority, one woman held up a prayer book and said that “this is our bible”. Even with such restriction put late in the game I remained faithful to the word of God and even though I was told what to preach, I used those text to preach the doctrine contained there in. I became so offensive that one day I received a letter in the mail not to return. No hearing, no face-to-face accusation and no charges.
Seeing the importance of the need for Scripture to regarded and used as the final authority to test all thing of faith and practice, I accepted a call to be a resource consultant for Sola Scriptura in Guelph. Now I answer theological questions, develop Internet listings, organize office systems, search out specific theological material from a confessional orthodox stance, meet with pastors and ministry leaders, and conduct conferences on specific theological topics.
It was my background in the Canadian Military that shaped my acceptance of the concept of submission. In the military I had orders. That was the mission. I also had the obligation to obey every lawful order. I was "under" orders, that was the "sub" in submission. Submission explains salvation (Phil. 2:9-11), the roles in the home, from spouses to kids, our relation to others in the church, leadership, employers to how we relate to Government. The term therefore not only helps us understand our roles but our purposes and objectives.
As I continued to work in the “secular” workforce, it was frequently suggested to me to consider pastoral ministry. I found many excuses to avoid doing this but God continued to work through His saints and prayer for me to pursue this path. I began seminary and started teaching in my local church. I came to see that God has given me gifts and talents that allow me to minister to His people in love. I have realized and it has been confirmed through feedback from respondents, that God has given me the spiritual gifts of the ability to give wise advise (wisdom), faith, discernment (1 Cor. 12:8-10) teaching, helps (1 Cor. 12:28), encouragement, leadership (Rom. 12:1-8) evangelism and shepherding (Acts 20:18, Eph. 4:16, 1 Pt. 5:2). I cannot neglect the gifts with which he has blessed me with (1 Tim. 4:14) and cannot but speak and serve (Acts 4:20). I have recognized God's calling on my life for salvation (2 Cor. 13:5), service (Eph. 2:10), seeing confirmation from others (1 Tim. 4:14), by God (1 Cor. 16:8-9), gifting (Eph. 4:11-12) longing for ministry (1 Tim. 3:1) and acknowledgement of character (1 Tim. 3:1-7, Titus 1:6-9).
Through the affirmation of others (Acts 13:3; 14:23; 1 Tim. 4:14) and fruit (Mt. 7:16-20) evident in their lives, I find great joy in God using me to equip His saints for the work of ministry (Eph. 4:12). Careful examination by myself and others have confirmed the moral qualifications of 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1 for pastoral ministry. I have no greater desire that to glorify Him by being His instrument in pastoral ministry (1 Tim. 3:1).
For the past 11 years, the privilege of being the Senior Pastor of Everton Community Church. This blessing has allowed me to preach through major sections of scripture, establish a deacon’s ministry, discipleship program including foundational training, personal assessment and evangelism training. It has been a joy to see the fruit of a vibrant outreach ministry involving community groups that reach out to non-Christians meeting in believers homes for a meal, short video and discussion. All in all, I believe God has called me to a broader, more multicultural ministry here at Safe Haven and I pray this can be a fruitful ministry where God will be glorified through us all.
Your servant in Christ;
Pastor Matthew Kratz
pastorkratz@rogers.com