Denominational comparison

[j2310lime]

I didnt know where would be the most appropriate to post this so please feel free to reroute this thread ..
I'm a seminary student looking into which denomination would be best for me. Currently a Methodist but aside from what people think is "better" can you lay out the differences between the major protestant denominations in America?
Not theologically but how there system works as well (for example: methodist pastors being reassigned to different churches fairly quickly)
Interested in mainly Methodist, Presbyterian, Baptist, ECC, and more if you want to add.

 

[Mr Dave]

Mostly those denominations work the same way in Britain and the USA, but where there are differences I will try and work with the US for you (forgive me if I get it wrong).

Both Presbytarian and Baptist churches are Congregational - They believe strongly in the local church and that each individual congregation should control it's own affairs which will be decided by a council of elders from that congregation.
By contrast the UMC is episcopal - it has Bishops presiding over the church, so each congregation is run much more from the top down, as opposed to the bottom up. (One of our UMC friends will have to say if it's connexional as well)

These differences mean that Baptist & Presbytarian congregations can be more varied depending on the congregation whilst UMC will be fairly standard wherever you are.

Presbyterian and Baptist churches come from the reformed tradition so hold more to Calvinist theology (not exclusively, there is a mixture of beliefs I believe)/the 5 points of Calvinism (Total Depravity - Unconditional Election - Limited Atonement - Irresistible Grace - Perseverance of the Saints). Methodism was not a reformed church, but a non-conformist Church, and had to dissent from the Anglican Church for rejecting this and holding to a version of Arminian theology, which believes in Conditional Election, Unlimited Atonement, Resistible Grace etc...)

Hope that helps to start with.

Look forward to hearing what others say
All the best in your search.

 

[Hediru]

I didnt know where would be the most appropriate to post this so please feel free to reroute this thread ..
I'm a seminary student looking into which denomination would be best for me. Currently a Methodist but aside from what people think is "better" can you lay out the differences between the major protestant denominations in America?
Not theologically but how there system works as well (for example: methodist pastors being reassigned to different churches fairly quickly)
Interested in mainly Methodist, Presbyterian, Baptist, ECC, and more if you want to add.

I'm not sure if I can help you all that much, but I am there, too. I'm a Methodist who is attending a Presbyterian seminary, and theologically, I'm at least learning that I am NOT a Presbyterian! lol. But if I had it my way, or better yet, I believe that if God had it his way, there wouldn't be any denominations. We'd just all be Christian! Part of Jesus' family. But, the Church is a human institution, and is therefore marred by sin, and as I've been learning in my Church History classes (and you have too, I'm sure), the divisions in the church started back in the book of Acts, or at least in the 1st century. Wow. Did not plan to get off on THAT tangent! LOL. Anyway, gl with your discerning for what church God is calling you to serve, and I pray that you will serve Him faithfully forever!

 

[lucaspa]

Mr Dave did an excellent job of outlining the differences. I would add that the distinction between Reformed and non-conformist is getting blurred. I attended a Presbyterian USA church for a number of years because my wife was Presbyterian. The PUSA church has discarded most of the Calvinism and watered down the rest. Theologically, it was indistinguishable from a UMC church. The real difference was "forgive us or debts ... forgive our debtors" in the Lord's Prayer. Scottish influence, no doubt.

 

[j2310lime]

Does anyone know what the process is to transfer into the Korean Methodist denomination after you were ordained in PCUSA ?

 

[lucaspa]

Does anyone know what the process is to transfer into the Korean Methodist denomination after you were ordained in PCUSA ?

That's a bit esoteric. I suggest you get a telephone # for the head office of the KMC and call them.

 

[VolRaider]

I noticed you mentioned the Baptists too, and they are the only ones mentioned by you that prefer believer's over infant baptism (not sure what the ECC is - Episcopal?). I believe all Presbyterians baptise infants, although I am not familiar with the Cumberland Presbyterians. There's the PCUSA, the PCA, and the Cumb. Pres - Lucaspa said the former have shunned Calvinist doctine, but I believe the middle group still affirms it, at least to some degree.

 

[HolyTrinity]

I'm pentecostal and love it.

 

[GregoryofNyssa]

To know what would be 'best' for you would require a bit more knowledge about you . I am partial to the UMC as that is where I serve and the denomination to which I belong. I cannot speak to the others, but I can tell you that once you go through the candidacy process and are admitted to an annual conference with full membership and ordained as an elder you will be guaranteed an appointment, meaning you always have a 'job' for lack of a better word provided you are doing what you are supposed to be doing. I am a student pastor in the UMC, meaning I am currently serving (2 rural churches) as well as finishing the education requirements for ordination as an elder.

 

[GadFly]

To know what would be 'best' for you would require a bit more knowledge about you . I am partial to the UMC as that is where I serve and the denomination to which I belong. I cannot speak to the others, but I can tell you that once you go through the candidacy process and are admitted to an annual conference with full membership and ordained as an elder you will be guaranteed an appointment, meaning you always have a 'job' for lack of a better word provided you are doing what you are supposed to be doing. I am a student pastor in the UMC, meaning I am currently serving (2 rural churches) as well as finishing the education requirements for ordination as an elder.

The biggest decision new ministers have today IMO is whether they will continue to follow the scripture definition of Christianity or the new theological intrusion in the churches of liberalism. The number one belief of liberalism whether it be in theology or politics is the belief that man;s basic values come from interpersonal relationships of society. In our church and on this forum we see the debate in progress as some UNC members call for the ordination of gay ministers. They think it is the broad minded thing to do and there are some who think same sex marriage is also broadminded. IMO you can work out all your theology by following the scripures and you will fit in ttoot most protestant churches. IMO you can be a liberal and be accepted in most churches but you will not fit well into the kingdom. That is my opinion and think and hope it is you opinion.

 

[Lee52]

I didnt know where would be the most appropriate to post this so please feel free to reroute this thread ..
I'm a seminary student looking into which denomination would be best for me. Currently a Methodist but aside from what people think is "better" can you lay out the differences between the major protestant denominations in America?
Not theologically but how there system works as well (for example: methodist pastors being reassigned to different churches fairly quickly)
Interested in mainly Methodist, Presbyterian, Baptist, ECC, and more if you want to add.

I believe it is a matter of learning to follow the Holy Spirit's leading rather than leading the Holy Spirit to follow you in your ministry. Find your spiritual gifts and then let the Holy Spirit guide you into your nitch in the Body of Christ. We are many members of one Body and have a specific function within that Body. If you are a right thumb, you will not function successfully as a left little toe. With denominations of structured hierarchy there is a two-edged sword of sorts. They tend to look at the districts and see what is best in the "grand scheme" rather than the local need. With less structured denominations, there is more local views and a Pastor can stay for 10-20 years or more in one congregation and see God's working from start to "graduation" into eternity in that body of believers. More structured organizations sometimes have easier access to mentors, though not always.

As some others have already said, it is important to stay grounded in the Word, no matter which direction you go. Christ came to save the lost, all of them, by Ariminian theology. At the same time, the Bible is very clear on whom it is that is to be in leadership positions in HIS BODY. Specifically, the sexually immoral, by Bible standards, are not to be considered for leadership positions in the Body of Christ, His Church. There is no need for "interpretation" of those Scriptures that state Bible standards for leadership. They are straight-forward and leave no "wiggle room" for the immoral that want to be Pastors, teachers, etc. in the Church.

Hope this helps.
Lee

Oh, PS. I should add; If you are Arminian-Wesleyan, you will NOT fit into a Calvinist theology congregation, which are now starting to present themselves as "Sovereignty of God" versus Calvinist or OSAS, or predestination. You might want to be aware of that.

 

[tsr]

I didnt know where would be the most appropriate to post this so please feel free to reroute this thread ..
I'm a seminary student looking into which denomination would be best for me. Currently a Methodist but aside from what people think is "better" can you lay out the differences between the major protestant denominations in America?
Not theologically but how there system works as well (for example: methodist pastors being reassigned to different churches fairly quickly)
Interested in mainly Methodist, Presbyterian, Baptist, ECC, and more if you want to add.

1. Finding a church requires prayer, let the Holy Spirit guide you.
2. Attend the diffenent denomiinations and see how you feel if the spirit moves you.....
3. The most important aspect of a church is the teaching of Gods Word and the atmosphere of the members how close they are to others.