What's the Methodist denomination you prefer, and why?
United Methodist, mainly because it's the only option with churches close to me. The closest Free Methodist church is half an hour away.What's the Methodist denomination you prefer, and why?
United Methodist, mainly because it's the only option with churches close to me. The closest Free Methodist church is half an hour away.
United Methodist. I appreciate the United Methodist Church's strong emphasis on God's grace and personal and social holiness.
In terms of theology I would have to say the United Methodist Church is my favorite because everything that they believe in is centered around grace which is exactly at the heart of what Jesus taught. Something else I like about the United Methodist Church is how they have a strong emphasis on discipleship, missions, and having a personal relationship with God which is not preached about in most mainline churches anymore.What's the Methodist denomination you prefer, and why?
This is a great balance that I haven't experienced in many churches.In terms of theology I would have to say the United Methodist Church is my favorite because everything that they believe in is centered around grace which is exactly at the heart of what Jesus taught. Something else I like about the United Methodist Church is how they have a strong emphasis on discipleship, missions, and having a personal relationship with God
Do you have examples of these theological issues?Something I will say though is that the UMC is much more open minded than the Church of the Nazarene on certain issues and in some districts the COTN is very much my way or the highway when it comes to theology.
Yeah of course. In the past something that COTN has really had to overcome is trying to not be legalistic and have even reversed their decisions on some theological issues. in the 1950's-60's the COTN actually had a ban on dancing but reversed this in the 1990's. They also used to have a complete ban on the belief in praying in tongues even threatening to fire Pastors who believed or taught in this phenomenon but in the 2000's they have lightened up their stance on this issue. The COTN also has reversed its statements on Entire Sanctification and Biblical Inerrancy over the years as well. By denominational standards they are still really young and I think they are just trying to figure out their identity in the overall Body of Christ and the Wesleyan movement.This is a great balance that I haven't experienced in many churches.
Do you have examples of these theological issues?
The Assembly of God (another Methodist offshoot) has also reversed its stance on things like movies, playing cards and dancing.Yeah of course. In the past something that COTN has really had to overcome is trying to not be legalistic and have even reversed their decisions on some theological issues. in the 1950's-60's the COTN actually had a ban on dancing but reversed this in the 1990's. They also used to have a complete ban on the belief in praying in tongues even threatening to fire Pastors who believed or taught in this phenomenon but in the 2000's they have lightened up their stance on this issue. The COTN also has reversed its statements on Entire Sanctification and Biblical Inerrancy over the years as well. By denominational standards they are still really young and I think they are just trying to figure out their identity in the overall Body of Christ and the Wesleyan movement.
I assume the UMC didn't struggle much with these issues. How's this theology compared to other methodists e.g. The Wesleyan Church or The Free Methodist Church?in the 1950's-60's the COTN actually had a ban on dancing but reversed this in the 1990's. They also used to have a complete ban on the belief in praying in tongues even threatening to fire Pastors who believed or taught in this phenomenon but in the 2000's they have lightened up their stance on this issue. The COTN also has reversed its statements on Entire Sanctification and Biblical Inerrancy over the years as well.
Theologically, they're Charismatic Dispensational Anabaptists rather than Methodists.The Assembly of God (another Methodist offshoot) has also reversed its stance on things like movies, playing cards and dancing.
The Wesleyan Church I'm not really so sure about but the Free Methodist Church believes in everything the United Methodist Church does on a theological level with the difference mainly being their type of church government. I could be wrong but to my knowledge their pastors do not Itinerate.I assume the UMC didn't struggle much with these issues. How's this theology compared to other methodists e.g. The Wesleyan Church or The Free Methodist Church?
The Assemblies of God comes from the first wave of Pentecostalism that arose from the Azusa Street Revival in the 1930's. They aren't really charismatic because they believe that the evidence that someone is saved is that they speak in tongues and that anyone and everyone can have this gift. They're very out there theologically in my opinionTheologically, they're Charismatic Dispensational Anabaptists rather than Methodists.
I'm not sure what the difference is.the Free Methodist Church believes in everything the United Methodist Church does on a theological level with the difference mainly being their type of church government. I could be wrong but to my knowledge their pastors do not Itinerate.
How does this not make them charismatic / pentecostal?[The Assemblies of God] aren't really charismatic because they believe that the evidence that someone is saved is that they speak in tongues and that anyone and everyone can have this gift.
1. Itinerate means that there is a three way system in how Pastors end up at a church where the decision is ultimately up to the Pastor, Bishop, and the church but really the Bishop is the one who makes the ultimate decision in placing a Pastor in a church. Pastors are also expected throughout their career to move to different locations. I believe although I might be wrong the Free Methodists leave it up to the church to hire a Pastor.I'm not sure what the difference is.
How does this not make them charismatic / pentecostal?
Another UM poster wrote, "We also have Elders who may or may not be in a position of senior pastor, and we also have non-ordained lay ministers as senior pastors." Not sure how all this works.Itinerate means that there is a three way system in how Pastors end up at a church where the decision is ultimately up to the Pastor, Bishop, and the church but really the Bishop is the one who makes the ultimate decision in placing a Pastor in a church. Pastors are also expected throughout their career to move to different locations.
They make more senseI believe although I might be wrong the Free Methodists leave it up to the church to hire a Pastor.
This is a great explanation. I attended AoG for years, and always upheld Charismatic rather than Pentecostal beliefs. A long time ago, someone told me that AoG is not truly Pentecostal. I appreciated his comment after reading your message. I do not attend AoG any longer. Do you know which denominations are Charismatic?Charismatics believe that the Baptism of the Holy Spirit isn't a means of grace but rather the Holy Spirit unlocking the spiritual gifts inside of you when someone with the anointing lays hands on you or prays for you. To them the Holy Spirit only indwells the believer once which is at the time of salvation. Next, Charismatics believe that while tongues is a gift of the spirit it is not necessary for salvation and not everyone will have the gifts of tongues just like not everyone will have the gift of prophecy, healing, exhortation, etc. They also believe that when someone is given a spiritual gift they cannot lose them based on a scripture verse which says the gifts of God are without repentance. Pentecostals also tends to strive more towards individual experiences with the gifts of the spirit whereas a Charismatic would adopt a stance that the gifts of the Spirit should be used more for the renewing and building up of the church.
The United Methodist Church while liturgical in its church services is very charismatic in its small group sessions like Sunday School and Wednesday Night Prayer services. In fact at the last UMC church I attended one of the women in our small group operated in the prophetic and the Holy Spirit would give her dreams and visions about people and she was so accurate it was scary. The Church of the Nazarene, Wesleyan Church, Free Methodist Church, and Missionary Church USA are very open to the Charismatic gifts. I know that the Episcopalian, Anglican, Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, North American Lutheran Church, and Presbyterian Church denominations are open to it as well. In terms of denominations that are purely Charismatic though the only ones I can think of would be Calvary Chapel and Vineyard but they are facing a lot of criticism right now for false teachings and sexual abuse scandals that actually resulted in a split in Calvary Chapel. Outside of the mainline and evangelical denominations if you are looking for a purely charismatic church your best bet would be a Non denominational church that is apart of a fellowship or network of churches. Unless of course you want to join an independent church but I generally stay away from them since they kinda operate like a fiefdom where the Pastor or team of Pastors run everything without any type of accountability system or say so from church members.This is a great explanation. I attended AoG for years, and always upheld Charismatic rather than Pentecostal beliefs. A long time ago, someone told me that AoG is not truly Pentecostal. I appreciated his comment after reading your message. I do not attend AoG any longer. Do you know which denominations are Charismatic?
Unfortunately, the UMC affiliate in Canada is "The United Church of Canada," which is more Unitarian than Methodist.The United Methodist Church while liturgical in its church services is very charismatic in its small group sessions like Sunday School and Wednesday Night Prayer services.
Praise God.In fact at the last UMC church I attended one of the women in our small group operated in the prophetic and the Holy Spirit would give her dreams and visions about people and she was so accurate it was scary.
I'm looking into these at the moment and am glad to hear they're open to Charismatic expression.The Church of the Nazarene, Wesleyan Church, Free Methodist Church,
Currently, I attend their affiliate "The Evangelical Missionary Church of Canada." I haven't noticed any Charismatic leanings. Also, I prefer a sacramental church.and Missionary Church USA are very open to the Charismatic gifts.
Years ago, I used to attend a Charismatic Anglican church, which was a great combination. Things changed after the pastor quit. One can't tell which congregation is charismatic and which isn't.I know that the Episcopalian, Anglican, Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, North American Lutheran Church, and Presbyterian Church denominations are open to it as well.
I'm not familiar with these denominations.In terms of denominations that are purely Charismatic though the only ones I can think of would be Calvary Chapel and Vineyard but they are facing a lot of criticism right now for false teachings and sexual abuse scandals
I'm not familiar with this, either. Would you give me more info.I forgot to add that the Foursquare Gospel Church is a great denomination that embraces the gifts of the Spirit.
I don't like the idea of attending a non-denominational or an independent church.Outside of the mainline and evangelical denominations if you are looking for a purely charismatic church your best bet would be a Non denominational church that is apart of a fellowship or network of churches. Unless of course you want to join an independent church but I generally stay away from them since they kinda operate like a fiefdom
Sacramental, charismatic, conservative, Arminianist, non-dispensational.What kind of church are you looking for?