u/Ambitious_Web6831

I started OCIA at a local parish a few months ago, and I've spent a few hundred hours researching catholic theology since then. One thing I keep noticing is people saying something like, "The church held X doctrine (or tradition) for 90% of church history, until Vatican II changed it." Are these types of things as prevalent as social media makes it out to be and, if so, how should I reconcile that? This has been the hardest thing for me to deal with since I started this process.

I am a born and raised Catholic, but I've spent a lot of time recently pondering the validity of Protestantism, specifically Baptist. I was wondering if you all have any recommendations for debates/discussions between Catholic and Baptist theologians. I ask that you only suggest discussions in which both parties handle the other's arguments in good faith. One thing I hate to see Christians do online is misrepresent the beliefs of the person with whom they are discussing.

I am a born and raised Southern Baptist, but I've spent a lot of time recently pondering the validity of Catholicism. I was wondering if you all have any recommendations for debates/discussions between Catholic and Baptist theologians. I ask that you only suggest discussions in which both parties handle the other's arguments in good faith. If there was one thing that I dislike about the Evangelical Christianity that I follow, aside from the dispensationalism that is prolific throughout it, it's how often my brothers and sisters completely misrepresent the beliefs of those that they disagree with when they attack their arguments. I am also open to suggestions of discussions between Catholics and other denominations.

This used to be my favorite site, now it almost hurts to look at. The update ruined both the aesthetic and the functionality that made the site so good. They ought to change it back to how it was (Constructive criticism for rule 3).

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I'm 18 years old and graduated high school three weeks ago. The week after graduation, I started working full-time at a machining shop. I only got the opportunity because a friend already worked there and helped me get in.

My original plan was to continue working there while attending college for a business degree. After scholarships, college would cost me about $6,000 per year, and I would not need to take out any student loans. The main reason I chose business is because my long-term goal has been to work as a support missionary with the IMB (See the IMB's website for more info, just look up "field support missionary IMB"). The degree itself isn't something I'm especially passionate about, but it seemed like a useful path toward missions.

Recently, the owner of the machine shop offered to pay for trade education that would allow me to pursue machining as a long-term career. The education would be fully paid for, and if I choose that route, I would likely stay with the company long-term. I'm on very good terms with the owner, and I believe he's making the offer because he sees potential in me.

Financially, the machining route seems strong. I'm currently making $18.50/hour and expect to make around $21.50/hour within a few months. After completing the trade education, I would expect to make at least $60,000 per year with room for future raises.

On the other hand, the missionary path would likely pay around $40,000 per year, but many normal living expenses would be covered, including housing, transportation, food, and insurance. Because of that, I may actually have more disposable income than the salary alone suggests.

One thing that makes this difficult is that I do feel some level of calling toward missions. I'm not 100% certain that it's what I'm supposed to do, but it isn't something I'm considering casually either. If I decide to pursue machining, missions wouldn't necessarily be impossible later, but realistically I would prefer to pursue missions while I'm young rather than postpone it indefinitely.

At the same time, I'm not deeply passionate about business itself, and the machining opportunity seems like a genuinely good one that wasn't part of my original plan.

For people who have faced similar crossroads, what factors would you consider most important? Would you continue pursuing the degree and missionary path, or take advantage of the trade opportunity and see where it leads?

I'm mainly looking for advice on the career and life-planning aspects of this decision. I'm already committed to my Christian faith, so I'm not looking to debate the missionary component itself.

I'm 18 years old and graduated high school three weeks ago. The week after graduation, I started working full-time at a machining shop. I only got the opportunity because a friend already worked there and helped me get in.

My original plan was to continue working there while attending college for a business degree. After scholarships, college would cost me about $6,000 per year, and I would not need to take out any student loans. The main reason I chose business is because my long-term goal has been to work as a support missionary with the IMB (See the IMB's website for more info, just look up "field support missionary IMB"). The degree itself isn't something I'm especially passionate about, but it seemed like a useful path toward missions.

Recently, the owner of the machine shop offered to pay for trade education that would allow me to pursue machining as a long-term career. The education would be fully paid for, and if I choose that route, I would likely stay with the company long-term. I'm on very good terms with the owner, and I believe he's making the offer because he sees potential in me.

Financially, the machining route seems strong. I'm currently making $18.50/hour and expect to make around $21.50/hour within a few months. After completing the trade education, I would expect to make at least $60,000 per year with room for future raises.

On the other hand, the missionary path would likely pay around $40,000 per year, but many normal living expenses would be covered, including housing, transportation, food, and insurance. Because of that, I may actually have more disposable income than the salary alone suggests.

One thing that makes this difficult is that I do feel some level of calling toward missions. I'm not 100% certain that it's what I'm supposed to do, but it isn't something I'm considering casually either. If I decide to pursue machining, missions wouldn't necessarily be impossible later, but realistically I would prefer to pursue missions while I'm young rather than postpone it indefinitely.

At the same time, I'm not deeply passionate about business itself, and the machining opportunity seems like a genuinely good one that wasn't part of my original plan.

For people who have faced similar crossroads, what factors would you consider most important? Would you continue pursuing the degree and missionary path, or take advantage of the trade opportunity and see where it leads?

I'm mainly looking for advice on the career and life-planning aspects of this decision. I'm already committed to my Christian faith, so I'm not looking to debate the missionary component itself.