What's the Most 'Conservative' Mainline Church?

jinc1019 · Feb 26, 2021

Hi,

Relatively speaking, I'm a traditional Christian (I identify most closely with Anglican), but I'm moving soon far away, to a town with no traditional Anglican churches but many mainline churches (Episcopal Church, PC USA, Evangelical Lutheran, United Methodist, etc.)

Of the mainline churches, are any more traditional (meaning, theologically) than the rest? I know they all lean to the left theologically, but is it a spectrum, or are they all generally comparable?

Thanks for your time.

Albion · Feb 26, 2021

Of the ones you mentioned, there is not much difference, except that almost every denomination shows some variance from congregation to congregation.

Sabertooth · Feb 26, 2021

Most of the denoms listed in the OP have been, or are being, split into two denoms based on their standing on homosexuality.

ViaCrucis · Feb 26, 2021

As far as Lutheran goes, there is the LCMS and WELS, with WELS generally recognized as the more conservative of the two.

For differences between the two:

From the WELS webiste: Differences between WELS and LCMS – WELS
From the LCMS website: Denominations - Frequently Asked Questions - The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod

-CryptoLutheran

chevyontheriver · Feb 26, 2021

jinc1019 said:
Hi,

Relatively speaking, I'm a traditional Christian (I identify most closely with Anglican), but I'm moving soon far away, to a town with no traditional Anglican churches but many mainline churches (Episcopal Church, PC USA, Evangelical Lutheran, United Methodist, etc.)

Of the mainline churches, are any more traditional (meaning, theologically) than the rest? I know they all lean to the left theologically, but is it a spectrum, or are they all generally comparable?

Thanks for your time.

How open are you to considering a Catholic alternative? We are traditional Christian.

There are some really good parishes out there, not teaching a compromised morality, and most cities will have multiple Catholic Churches to pick from. There are traditional Latin mass options in every big city, faithful English language options, a limited number of Anglican Ordinariate parishes which I have run into in Minneapolis, Omaha, and Ft. Worth, and a variety of eastern rites in English or more ancient languages.

Your call. I hope you find something that works for you. And I'm hoping you can find something that honors your traditional heritage.

If you do lean Presbyterian, look at the PCA. Not liberal, often reasonable, worth a look. Not for me but if I had to be a Presbyterian they would probably be the ones.

jinc1019 · Feb 26, 2021

chevyontheriver said:
How open are you to considering a Catholic alternative? We are traditional Christian.

There are some really good parishes out there, not teaching a compromised morality, and most cities will have multiple Catholic Churches to pick from. There are traditional Latin mass options in every big city, faithful English language options, a limited number of Anglican Ordinariate parishes which I have run into in Minneapolis, Omaha, and Ft. Worth, and a variety of eastern rites in English or more ancient languages.

Your call. I hope you find something that works for you. And I'm hoping you can find something that honors your traditional heritage.

If you do lean Presbyterian, look at the PCA. Not liberal, often reasonable, worth a look. Not for me but if I had to be a Presbyterian they would probably be the ones.

Thanks for the great response. I grew up in the Catholic church, and I am quite familiar with good and bad parishes. Although I have no problem attending services, I could never actually become a true member of the church again, because of my views on the papacy and various other issues (although, the papacy is the most important one).

I like the PCA and have attended services there before. Unfortunately, there aren't many, if any, options for the PCA where I'm moving. I think there might be one church plant. In any case, Presbyterianism is tough because I'm much more sacramental than your average Presbyterian church. That's the main reason I couldn't be a member of a Baptist church, btw.

Good thoughts, though.

jinc1019 · Feb 26, 2021

Sabertooth said:
Most of the denoms listed in the OP have been, or are being, split into two denoms based on their standing on homosexuality.

This is true, but the new denominations don't exist everywhere. There are still many, many communities in which mainline churches are the dominant presence.

Sabertooth · Feb 26, 2021

jinc1019 said:
There are still many, many communities in which mainline churches are the dominant presence.

The splits that I heard about were also about dividing up church property, meaning ownership of individual churches.

Joyous Song · Feb 28, 2021

jinc1019 said:
Thanks for the great response. I grew up in the Catholic church, and I am quite familiar with good and bad parishes. Although I have no problem attending services, I could never actually become a true member of the church again, because of my views on the papacy and various other issues (although, the papacy is the most important one).

I like the PCA and have attended services there before. Unfortunately, there aren't many, if any, options for the PCA where I'm moving. I think there might be one church plant. In any case, Presbyterianism is tough because I'm much more sacramental than your average Presbyterian church. That's the main reason I couldn't be a member of a Baptist church, btw.

Good thoughts, though.

What about a non infallible papal version of Catholicism Eastern Orthadox, Polish Nation, ect. Are you open to those churches?

tampasteve · Mar 2, 2021

jinc1019 said:
Hi,

Relatively speaking, I'm a traditional Christian (I identify most closely with Anglican), but I'm moving soon far away, to a town with no traditional Anglican churches but many mainline churches (Episcopal Church, PC USA, Evangelical Lutheran, United Methodist, etc.)

Of the mainline churches, are any more traditional (meaning, theologically) than the rest? I know they all lean to the left theologically, but is it a spectrum, or are they all generally comparable?

Thanks for your time.

In general the United Methodist will be more conservative out of that list. In practice it really varies from church to church. You can get a good feel from their websites and virtual services or sermons online. If you identify as Anglican overall then the Episcopal, Methodist or ELCA Lutheran will be similar in liturgy, with Episcopal and Methodist being closest in theology.

But all of those denominations have individual churches that are all across the spectrum of liberalism.

Sabertooth said:
The splits that I heard about were also about dividing up church property, meaning ownership of individual churches.

The UMC is preparing to split into three denominations: Progressive, Radical Liberal, and Traditional. They are going about it the best way possible by allowing both individual churches and conferences (like a diocese) to leave if they vote to. They will retain their property (and liabilities) and a fund is being developed for the new denominations. The "United Methodist Church" will retain its name and be the "Progressive" denomination, the "Global Methodist Church" is aiming to be the "Traditional", and I am not sure who the Liberal denomination is going to be (possibly the Liberation Methodist Connexion, or LMX).

Albion · Mar 2, 2021

tampasteve said:
"Global United Methodist Church" is aiming to be the "Traditional"

I see the reasoning behind it, but "Global" doesn't sound very church-like, does it? More like a new insurance agency.

They could always have asked us on CF to conduct another of our polls, but I guess it's too late now.

tampasteve · Mar 2, 2021

Albion said:
I see the reasoning behind it, but "Global" doesn't sound very church-like, does it? More like a new insurance agency.

They could always have asked us on CF to conduct another of our polls, but I guess it's too late now.

I agree. I kind of wish they have just stuck with the Wesley Covenant Association, but I guess they want to keep that around as a seperate organization that can be an umbrella for UMC and other Methodists individually. BTW, here is the website for the GMC

Albion · Mar 2, 2021

The thought probably also was that if the one branch retained the UMC name while the traditionalists adopted one that has no apparent connection to it, the traditionalists would look like the schismatic minority that broke from the UMC. However, I see from the link that the name actually is now GMC, which sounds better even though it means there's no obvious connection to the old UMC. They're probably right about not worrying over this, since "Methodist" accomplishes almost the same thing.

jinc1019 · Mar 2, 2021

Joyous Song said:
What about a non infallible papal version of Catholicism Eastern Orthadox, Polish Nation, ect. Are you open to those churches?

I don't think there are many of these options in the location I'm moving to. It's not a big town. I will look though and consider all options. I have examined EO very closely in the past, and while there are many things I appreciate about EO, I'm not sure I could ever officially join. I will consider it again, though. Thanks for the recommendation.

jinc1019 · Mar 2, 2021

tampasteve said:
In general the United Methodist will be more conservative out of that list. In practice it really varies from church to church. You can get a good feel from their websites and virtual services or sermons online. If you identify as Anglican overall then the Episcopal, Methodist or ELCA Lutheran will be similar in liturgy, with Episcopal and Methodist being closest in theology.

But all of those denominations have individual churches that are all across the spectrum of liberalism.

The UMC is preparing to split into three denominations: Progressive, Radical Liberal, and Traditional. They are going about it the best way possible by allowing both individual churches and conferences (like a diocese) to leave if they vote to. They will retain their property (and liabilities) and a fund is being developed for the new denominations. The "United Methodist Church" will retain its name and be the "Progressive" denomination, the "Global Methodist Church" is aiming to be the "Traditional", and I am not sure who the Liberal denomination is going to be (possibly the Liberation Methodist Connexion, or LMX).

Interesting. I didn't know it was splitting into three different churches. I thought it was just two. Unfortunately, based on the research I've done, it looks like the nearby UMC churches are quite far to the left, but I'd be willing to wait and see how things shake out over the next year or so, when the split occurs.

tampasteve · Mar 3, 2021

jinc1019 said:
Interesting. I didn't know it was splitting into three different churches. I thought it was just two. Unfortunately, based on the research I've done, it looks like the nearby UMC churches are quite far to the left, but I'd be willing to wait and see how things shake out over the next year or so, when the split occurs.

I think that we will see the GMC be the most conservative, the Methodist version of the ACNA if you will. They will/are going to align with the African contingents of the UMC, which will lean them more conservative on sexual matters, again like the ACNA. The [bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse] UMC will be more or less "progressive", but there will be churches and conferences (like a diocses) that lean in both directions. The Liberal denomination will be the smallest and lean the most radical liberal, probably more liberal than most any of the other current mainline denominations.

I say that last sentence because while there are synods/diocese/churches in both the ELCA and TEC (The Episcopal Church) that lean far to the liberal side, the denominations also include conservative synods/diocese/churches. This new denomination will not have a conservative element as they will stay in the UMC or move to the new GMC, making it a very liberal denomination.

Check the Wesleyan Covenant Association website for churches that align with them for ones that lean more conservative. Most WCA members will also join the new GMC, but not all of them will, some will remain in the UMC as conservative members.

Joyous Song · Mar 5, 2021

jinc1019 said:
I don't think there are many of these options in the location I'm moving to. It's not a big town. I will look though and consider all options. I have examined EO very closely in the past, and while there are many things I appreciate about EO, I'm not sure I could ever officially join. I will consider it again, though. Thanks for the recommendation.

JS: You are welcome. We are a lot smaller than the RCC and Orthodox Catholic Churches. Still, many mainline churches that closed found out about the PNCC. That we own our churches and have say in how they are run and whether they close or not. We send people to synods and they have a voice and a vote. How many depends ho how large your congregation.

Still its always possible, we how many churches closed in the last few years and how many of our churches were started up as a result.

jinc1019 · Mar 5, 2021

tampasteve said:
I think that we will see the GMC be the most conservative, the Methodist version of the ACNA if you will. They will/are going to align with the African contingents of the UMC, which will lean them more conservative on sexual matters, again like the ACNA. The [bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse] UMC will be more or less "progressive", but there will be churches and conferences (like a diocses) that lean in both directions. The Liberal denomination will be the smallest and lean the most radical liberal, probably more liberal than most any of the other current mainline denominations.

I say that last sentence because while there are synods/diocese/churches in both the ELCA and TEC (The Episcopal Church) that lean far to the liberal side, the denominations also include conservative synods/diocese/churches. This new denomination will not have a conservative element as they will stay in the UMC or move to the new GMC, making it a very liberal denomination.

Check the Wesleyan Covenant Association website for churches that align with them for ones that lean more conservative. Most WCA members will also join the new GMC, but not all of them will, some will remain in the UMC as conservative members.

Thanks for the info. Should be very interesting to see how all of this shakes out.

hedrick · Mar 5, 2021

The churches you list have a range of congregations. You can probably find a moderately conservative congregation in one of them. But there’s no way to predict which it will be in your area.

jinc1019 · Mar 5, 2021

hedrick said:
The churches you list have a range of congregations. You can probably find a moderately conservative congregation in one of them. But there’s no way to predict which it will be in your area.

Thanks for commenting. I just meant generally speaking. Sounds like the consensus is pretty much in line with what you said.

What's the Most 'Conservative' Mainline Church?

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