Changing to UMC

[DavidBruce]

I've been attending a baptist church for about a year.
I've come to realize I do not have a strict categorical interpretation of the bible.
I take the bible very seriously, I just don't believe everything is categorical.
I've decided to try out a UMC church.
In what ways is the UMC conservative and in what ways is it liberal?

 

[AquilaGT]

The United Methodist Church is big and diverse, so you will find things all along the spectrum of what most people view as conservative to liberal.

However, I think most Methodists are moderate, taking a middle way approach, guided by the Bible. This is one of the strengths of the UMC in my mind.

Methodists are grounded in the basic orthodox beliefs of the Apostle's Creed, and use the Bible illuminated by Tradition (of the entire historical Church), Reason (our God given intellect) and Experience (our salvation and spiritual experiences).

This avoids 2 extremes. One extreme is an uninformed wooden literalism that pulls Bible passages out of context to proof text, a Fundamentalist tendency. The other extreme breaks away from the authority of the Bible and free floats in conforming to the culture around it, a Liberal tendency.

No denomination is perfect, but the UMC does a good balancing act with an emphasis on personal and social holiness, with grace and space to think and grow in faith (in my opinion).

 

[cristianna]

David,
Aquila answered your question very well! I really can't think of anything to add.

 

[DavidBruce]

Thanks!

Of course, fellowship is important also. That, in my opinion, varies with each congregation.

I'll start finding out this Sunday.

 

[brachah]

attracting.

 

[SandyLou]

Hi DavidBruce! Welcome!!!

I grew up in a series of Baptist churches so I can relate!

Still, as a searching, literate, and thinking adult, I found a home in a UMC. God has this really cool plan. . . and made each of us different but in His image . . .praying you find YOUR place in the Open Hearts Open Minds Open Doors.