I'm looking into joining a Methodist church. Should I and why?

[tulipbee]

I'm from the Calvinist groups but I can't be too picky about theology especially when I learned from multiplies of different theologies. I'm sort of agreeing with the early church fathers and more towards the orthodox side. I had enough of rcc excuses.

 

[Tolworth John]

Attend one and see what you think, go more than two or three times and talk to the members about how they care for each other, about theology and their beliefs.
Also check out the christianityexplored web site for churches involved in this, in your area.
Do the same to any churches in your area.

take a look at the uk web site,'shipoffools' they have a mystery worshipper page and a form that can be completed to give other an idea of your experience of attending a church.

 

[Albion]

Superficially, a Methodist and a Reformed congregation can look and feel much the same. They're what we think of as Mainstream Protestants. However, the underlying theologies are different in that Calvinists stress the sovereignty of God and the dependence of Man upon God's graciousness towards us, while Methodists, as descendants of John Wesley, put an emphasis upon growth in grace and personal sanctification that is somewhat reminiscent of Orthodox Eastern thinking. Methodists are big on socio-political activism, the social gospel, and that sort of thing whereas Calvinist churches tend to be more conservative (if that factors into your thinking).

 

[Dave L]

I'm from the Calvinist groups but I can't be too picky about theology especially when I learned from multiplies of different theologies. I'm sort of agreeing with the early church fathers and more towards the orthodox side. I had enough of rcc excuses.

Over the years I learned a lot from all denominations and groups. I came to believe no single church has all the truth, but all the truth exists throughout Christendom. It's a spiritual smorgasbord if you don't lock on to any group in particular.

 

[seeking.IAM]

As a former Methodist for 50 years, I'd encourage you to visit more than one congregation. You will find variance in worship styles from traditional to contemporary to "Blended." If you visit only one church you may wander into the wrong type service for you and make too hasty a determination that Methodism is not for you. Visit some others and you might find one that suits you just fine. Methodists are good people, and I largely enjoyed my stay among them.

 

[Apologetic_Warrior]

Just bee the ever lovin' tulipbee that you are.

 

[Hazelelponi]

I refused to even look into the Methodist churches over the fact they are in the middle of deciding whether or not they will marry homosexuals in the churches.

That issue is a non-issue in my book and anyone who thinks it is to the point a study needs done on the topic so it can come to some kind of a weird vote or something simply doesn't appear to have an understanding of God or His Word and is not a church I would care to attend since they are supposed to teach.

I rather expect my teachers to know more than I do, so my decision was a definite no on the Methodist churches.

 

[dreadnought]

I'm from the Calvinist groups but I can't be too picky about theology especially when I learned from multiplies of different theologies. I'm sort of agreeing with the early church fathers and more towards the orthodox side. I had enough of rcc excuses.

There's a "war" going on in the church regarding homosexuality, that will be addressed this February, as I understand it. I've always liked the United Methodist Church. I hope the decision made in February is a good one.

 

[bekkilyn]

[Staff edit].

The focus will depend on the individual church and the pastor. Some pastors seem to be allergic to talking about sin and repentance, for example, while others are much more focused on evangelizing. I did hear about a poll somewhere (and I need to try to find it) that Methodists and Lutherans are the least likely to witness to people about Jesus in their day to day life. This needs to change, IMO. Thing is, it's not just the pastors who are at fault. Church members have ministry responsibilities too. We are *all* commissioned to make disciples for Jesus Christ and we all need to be out there witnessing. We all need to be in prayer, studying/meditating on scripture, etc. EVERY DAY. We can't just go to church and expect everything to just be given to us in a weekly 15-40 minute sermon regardless of what denomination we're in.

All this bickering over homosexuality and wedding cakes and whatnot is a distraction from the real spiritual warfare that is going on in this world.

 

[tulipbee]

[Staff edit].

The focus will depend on the individual church and the pastor. Some pastors seem to be allergic to talking about sin and repentance, for example, while others are much more focused on evangelizing. I did hear about a poll somewhere (and I need to try to find it) that Methodists and Lutherans are the least likely to witness to people about Jesus in their day to day life. This needs to change, IMO. Thing is, it's not just the pastors who are at fault. Church members have ministry responsibilities too. We are *all* commissioned to make disciples for Jesus Christ and we all need to be out there witnessing. We all need to be in prayer, studying/meditating on scripture, etc. EVERY DAY. We can't just go to church and expect everything to just be given to us in a weekly 15-40 minute sermon regardless of what denomination we're in.

All this bickering over homosexuality and wedding cakes and whatnot is a distraction from the real spiritual warfare that is going on in this world.

Is it true that the pastors rotate churches every 4 years? how do depend on that if they change so much?

 

[seeking.IAM]

Is it true that the pastors rotate churches every 4 years? how do depend on that if they change so much?

Not so much anymore in the U.S. It was practice in the 1950's and 60's during my childhood. My dad was UMC clergy. Longer pastorates are now the norm. It was expensive and tough on families.

 

[seeking.IAM]

Duplicate post deleted.

 

[seeking.IAM]

Triplicated post deleted. What in the world have I done?

 

[bekkilyn]

Is it true that the pastors rotate churches every 4 years? how do depend on that if they change so much?

Elders tend to rotate more frequently than licensed local pastors, but the bishops and district supervisors look at the needs of the congregations, the needs of pastors/families, and other factors to determine when/if to move someone.

John Wesley had pastors moving every single year, so it's definitely come a long way since then.

 

[bekkilyn]

(Silly duplicate post! Something definitely going on with posting as I've seen his happening everywhere on the forum.)

 

[Albion]

Is it true that the pastors rotate churches every 4 years? how do depend on that if they change so much?

I am somewhat acquainted with a few UMC congregations in the USA. One of them sees a new pastor just about every other year without fail, but another one had the same pastor for at least 25 years before he chose to retire. I cant imagine what the rule actually is.

 

[Dave-W]

Tulipbee:. There are more Methodist denominations than just the UMC. There are Free Methodist, Wesleyan (formerly named Wesleyan Methodist) and Church of the Nazarene. And there are also African Methodist Episcopal (AME) and AME Zion.

 

[tulipbee]

Tulipbee:. There are more Methodist denominations than just the UMC. There are Free Methodist, Wesleyan (formerly named Wesleyan Methodist) and Church of the Nazarene. And there are also African Methodist Episcopal (AME) and AME Zion.

thanks for your electrons. I feel statically fresh !

 

[tulipbee]

I was considering Methodist due to apostolic successions.
I might join Baptists instead.
I'm convinced apostolic succession isn't necessary.
--------------------
convince me it is necessary if you think it is.
----------------------
However, nowhere in Scripture did Jesus, the apostles, or any other New Testament writer set forth the idea of “apostolic succession.” Further, neither is Peter presented as “supreme” over the other apostles. The apostle Paul, in fact, rebukes Peter when Peter was leading others astray (Galatians 2:11-14). Yes, the apostle Peter had a prominent role. Yes, perhaps the apostle Peter was the leader of the apostles (although the book of Acts records the apostle Paul and Jesus’ brother James as also having prominent leadership roles). Whatever the case, Peter was not the “commander” or supreme authority over the other apostles. Even if apostolic succession could be demonstrated from Scripture, which it cannot, apostolic succession would not result in Peter’s successors being absolutely supreme over the other apostles’ successors. https://www.gotquestions.org/apostolic-succession.html

 

[Albion]

I wouldn't let the matter of Apostolic Succession keep you from joining a Methodist church, Tulipbee.

It may, might, could possibly be, true of Methodism, but only as a technicality. The idea that Methodists have Apostolic Succession isn't a doctrine among Methodists and it plays no more part in Methodist operations or beliefs than, for example, the theories that say there once was a woman Pope or that Jesus spent his teenage years in Britain.

 

[tulipbee]

Not so much anymore in the U.S. It was practice in the 1950's and 60's during my childhood. My dad was UMC clergy. Longer pastorates are now the norm. It was expensive and tough on families.

did your dad get a list of all the apostolic succession back to john Wesley?

 

[tulipbee]

what do you know about john Wesley and apostolic succession?