Hello All

[Maid Marie]

Took me a few weeks to figure out narthex was a real UMC word (and not something from Star Trek). Took a little longer to find it.

Had a good chuckle over that

Even though I am in the Wesleyan family, as a Nazarene I'm not used to some of the terminology. Being around my Methodist aunts/uncle and cousins over my lifetime has often meant confusing church conversations.

 

[circuitrider]

Had a good chuckle over that

Even though I am in the Wesleyan family, as a Nazarene I'm not used to some of the terminology. Being around my Methodist aunts/uncle and cousins over my lifetime has often meant confusing church conversations.

Tell me about it! I had to learn a lot of new terminology coming from another church denomination to the UMC.

 

[GraceSeeker]

I have to laugh every time we get have one of those unbiquitous itinerant music groups play at our church. Seems like most of them come from either Baptist of independent Christian backgrounds. Guaranteed at some point in the service they will mention the churches "deacons and elders." I laugh, because I'm the only one of either of those to be found in my congregation.

 

[Maid Marie]

I have to laugh every time we get have one of those unbiquitous itinerant music groups play at our church. Seems like most of them come from either Baptist of independent Christian backgrounds. Guaranteed at some point in the service they will mention the churches "deacons and elders." I laugh, because I'm the only one of either of those to be found in my congregation.

Now that is something Methodists and Nazarenes have in common - our elders and deacons are our ordained clergy.

 

[circuitrider]

Now that is something Methodists and Nazarenes have in common - our elders and deacons are our ordained clergy.

I have a similar confusion when my Presbyterian friends start talking about the Elders, meaning the members of their governing board rather than their pastor.

 

[Maid Marie]

I have a similar confusion when my Presbyterian friends start talking about the Elders, meaning the members of their governing board rather than their pastor.

As do I when I heard Baptist friends saying the same.

Then I read the bible and got even more confused.

 

[circuitrider]

As do I when I heard Baptist friends saying the same.

Then I read the bible and got even more confused.

I'm prejudiced I know but I believe Wesley's idea the "Elder" was the proper term for a minister rather than "Priest" makes sense to me. Priest is a version of the word "presbutoros" which means "Elder."

There is no Biblical precedent for Deacons being a board, committee, or governing group.