M
Memento Mori
Guest
We have two Methodist congregations in town: Free Methodist and United Methodist. Could someone explain the difference to me please?
Thank you.
Thank you.
Qyöt27;58029678 said:The original split in the 1800s that created the Free Methodists was - if I recall correctly - over pew fees and slavery. It was common at the time for churches to charge a fee to patrons that sat in the pews, which the Free Methodists disagreed with. If they formed out of the Methodist Church, South, then the Free Methodists likely also split because they were abolitionists. I'm more sure of the pew fee issue, though.
This seems somewhat strange to modern denominations (including the UMC) that neither charge fees nor support slavery, but as with most things, that was simply the original problem. Over time, the cultural or theological differences would grow, and so they wouldn't necessarily want to re-unite, even if the original two problems had long since been resolved.
One difference today is that the United Methodist Church supports abortion by being a founding member of a pro-abortion group (Religious Coalition For Reproductive Choice) and supports a second pro-abortion organization (Religious Institute). The Free Methodists do not support either organization.
I am not trying to turn this into an abortion debate - I am just pointing out that there is a difference between the UNited Methodist and the Free Methodist churches when it comes to abortion. The original poster was asking what some of the differences were, so I am just pointing out one difference.
¶ 162 K) PopulationSince the growing worldwide population is increasingly straining the worlds supply of food, minerals, and water and sharpening international tensions, the reduction of the rate of consumption of resources by the affluent and the reduction of current world population growth rates have become imperative.
People have the duty to consider the impact on the total world community of their decisions regarding childbearing and should have access to information and appropriate means to limit their fertility, including voluntary sterilization.
We affirm that programs to achieve a stabilized population should be placed in a context of total economic and social development, including an equitable use and control of resources; improvement in the status of women in all cultures; a human level of economic security, health care, and literacy for all. We oppose any policy of forced abortion or forced sterilization.
And most importantly:¶ 162 O) Genetic TechnologyThe responsibility of humankind to Gods creation challenges us to deal carefully with the possibilities of genetic research and technology. We welcome the use of genetic technology for meeting fundamental human needs for health, a safe environment, and an adequate food supply. We oppose the cloning of humans and the genetic manipulation of the gender of an unborn child.
Because of the effects of genetic technologies on all life, we call for effective guidelines and public accountability to safeguard against any action that might lead to abuse of these technologies, including political or military ends. We recognize that cautious, well-intended use of genetic technologies may sometimes lead to unanticipated harmful consequences.Human gene therapies that produce changes that cannot be passed to offspring (somatic therapy) should be limited to the alleviation of suffering caused by disease.
Genetic therapies for eugenic choices or that produce waste embryos are deplored. Genetic data of individuals and their families should be kept secret and held in strict confidence unless confidentiality is waived by the individual or by his or her family, or unless the collection and use of genetic identification data is supported by an appropriate court order. Because its long-term effects are uncertain, we oppose genetic therapy that results in changes that can be passed to offspring (germ-line therapy).
Some will see in the above that the UMC does indeed support abortion as a legal option when the conflict of life with life may justify it, i.e. in the event of the pregnancy putting the life of the mother at risk.¶ 161 J) Abortion--The beginning of life and the ending of life are the God-given boundaries of human existence. While individuals have always had some degree of control over when they would die, they now have the awesome power to determine when and even whether new individuals will be born. Our belief in the sanctity of unborn human life make sus reluctant to approve abortion.
But we are equally bound to respect the sacredness of the life and well-being of the mother and the unborn child.
We recognize tragic conflicts of life with life that may justify abortion, and in such cases we support the legal option of abortion under proper medical procedures. We support parental, guardian, or other responsible adult notification and consent before abortions can be performed on girls who have not yet reached the age of legal adulthood. We cannot affirm abortions as an acceptable means of birth control, and we unconditionally reject it as a means of gender selection.
We oppose the use of late-term abortion known as dilation and extraction (partial-birth abortion) and call for the end of this practice except when the physical life of the mother is in danger and no other medical procedure is available, or in the case of severe fetal anomalies incompatible with life. Before providing their services, abortion providers should be required to offer women the option of anesthesia.
We call all Christians to a seraching and prayerful inquiry into the sorts of conditions that may cause them to consider abortion.
The Church shall offer ministries to reduce unintended pregnancies. We commit our Church to continue to provide nurturing ministries to those who terminate a pregnancy, to those in the midst of a crisis pregnancy, and to those who give birth.
A/331.2 Abortion.
The intentional destruction of human life is murder when any degree of malice or selfishness accompanies the decision and act. Therefore, induced abortion is morally unjustifiable except when the act has been decided upon by responsible and competent persons, including Christian and professional counsel, for the purpose of saving the life of a pregnant woman.
Abortion, when it serves the ends of population or birth control, personal preference of convenience, and social or economic security, must be considered as selfish and malicious. Therefore, the intentional abortion of nascent life from conception on, except when extreme circumstances requires termination of a pregnancy to save the life of the pregnant woman, must be judged to be a violation of God's command, "You shall not commit murder."
We recommend that Free Methodists offer compassionate alternatives and long-term care to women considering abortion. We recommend similar long-term care for all persons impacted by previous abortions. We also urge continuing support for those involved in parenting and in the adoption and fostering of children.
While firmly opposed to abortion, we recognize that those whose views contrary to ours should be treated with respect and dignity and that God's forgiveness is offered to all.
Show me the link, please.It states on the UMC website that they are a founding member of teh RCRC.
Well, I still assert that despite the poor wording of this resolution, the truth is that the United Methodist Church was not a founder member for all the reasons I've already stated above. But that seems to be neither here nor there now, as I see that in 2004 the resolution did pass.Therefore, be it resolved, that the United Methodist 2004 General Conference go on record in support of the work of the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice, and
Be it further resolved, that the 2004 General Conference affirm the continued membership of the General Board of Church and Society and the Women's Division of the General Board of Global Ministries in the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice.
They allow the Religious Institute to state that the United Methodist Church supports them. They allow the RCRC to state the same. Official statements mean nothing when they START an abortion organization. If it was a group within the church then they should face church discipline for supporting the killing of innocent children.
Qyöt27;58029678 said:...If they formed out of the Methodist Church, South, then the Free Methodists likely also split because they were abolitionists. ...
I seem to recall looking at the statements of belief for the modern Southern Methodist Church some time ago, and it struck me as being on the fundamentalist side. For the very least because I seem to recall two of those statements being adherence to strict Biblical literalism and Young Earth Creationism as conditions of membership, amongst other things.The Methodist Episcopal Church, South, or Methodist Episcopal Church South, was the so-called "Southern Methodist Church" resulting from the split over the issue of slavery in the Methodist Episcopal Church which had been brewing over several years until it came out into the open at a conference held in Louisville, Kentucky, in 1844.
This body maintained its own polity until it reunited with the Methodist Episcopal Church and the Methodist Protestant Church to form the The Methodist Church in 1939, which in turn later (1968) merged with the Evangelical United Brethren Church to form The United Methodist Church. Some more theologically conservative MECS congregations dissenting from the merger formed the Southern Methodist Church in 1940.
I guess i am a little concerned about joining the Methodist church now since they were never for woman in the original church belief system. You see i don't want to go against the Lord in anything i do and i wanted to become a minister but now i am in doubt again. I have prayed about this but i still am in doubt, i may make a better misionary and men and woman can do this.
I guess i am a little concerned about joining the Methodist church now since they were never for woman in the original church belief system. You see i don't want to go against the Lord in anything i do and i wanted to become a minister but now i am in doubt again. I have prayed about this but i still am in doubt, i may make a better misionary and men and woman can do this.
Lastly, I want to tell you that is where it stands today, (to my knowledge) all branches of Methodism ordain women and believe that the scriptures confirm this practice.