Thinking about becoming Methodist...again!

Hey Grace

Good questions, all! and none I (as a conservative-leaning Methodist) find offensive. I can share a little of how I wound up in the Methodist church I'm in and how I've thought through the process in hope that it'll help you some.

I didn't grow up Methodist. My dad was a Southern Baptist deacon in the only Baptist church in a very small Mississippi town and our parents had us in church every time the doors were opened. I heard a lot of evangelism over and over growing up, but not much discipleship other than some behaviorial "thou shalt nots". At college I wanted to go deeper in scripture and and got involved in another denomination's campus bible study and the church that sponsored it. They seemed to have all the answers theologically and I loved learning there, though I didn't always agree with the theology. The church and campus group were very loving, so the strict theology was pretty palatable to me at the time.

After graduation, I moved away from that town and church and tried for several years to find another church as loving as the church I'd been involved with in college that adhered to the theology they held. Instead, I found that my college church was the exception rather than the rule and that most people following that theology felt their system of thinking about scripture was the 'true' way to approach things. A good many people I came across church hunting were dismissive of other theologies, were sometimes horrible in their attitudes towards other denominations, fostered a veneer of 'having it all together' which I knew I didn't fit ...still don't! I heard the word grace used over and over in sermons but didn't see much of it lived out after leaving the college church (whose minister, concidentally? , grew up Methodist).

I was living in Jackson, Mississippi at the time I realized this denonmination just wasn't it for me and that it looked like my options were to err on either the side of legalism or grace. So I deliberately chose the most liberal Methodist church in town next. There were things there I didn't (and still don't) agree with there. But when I talked to the minister about my concerns, he said he agreed that some of the lifestyle choices of members of the congregation weren't scriptural but that he did not want to ever turn away anyone who was seeking Christ. His ministry approach seemed to be more "let them come and love them into the kingdom". And a lot of the time it worked. One lay minister we had gave his testimony one morning and I cried pretty much the whole sermon and can't tell it to someone now without crying. He said he had been coming to the church for 12 years and for the first 7 he was quite obviously drunk/stoned when he walked in the doors but for 7 years people loved him until finally he knew their love (God's love) enough to stop using. I'd heard and seen behavioral legalism, theological legalism, and finally saw love in action and had a lot of judgementalism broken down in me. I'm not a completely cured Pharisee yet, but in the Methodist church I saw and still see my pride much more than when a part of other churches.

I've moved again and in this town I'm in a conservative Mehodist church that seems to have the best balance I've ever seen of grace and truth. And our bishop is content to let our Sr. pastor remain here since it's what both he and the church want.

As for the national UMC ...it seems to me that there is a gradual moving back to social conservatism, although even in the predominately conservative churches I'm familiar with, there is still a strong "open door, open heart" attitude towards sinners which I don't think John Wesley ...or Jesus would object to.

Probably my biggest theological struggle is with open Communion. I love it that any Christian can come to the Lord's Table at a Methodist Church, but I wish there were more teaching about the meaning and seriousness of Communion for non believers. That's when I have to look at my own heart and not judge others.

I realize I'm answering you from a place of joy with my current church's emphasis on loving others from a strong foundation of scriptural truth, so the whole "Story of Why I'm Now a Methodist" may not be very helpful in answering your concerns.

I'm praying you'll find a place you can grow in Christ and bless others, regardless of which "room" in the house (as C. S. Lewis calls denominations).


God bless!
Laurie

GraceMercyPeace said:

Hi Laurie,

Contrary to what you said, your story is very helpful to me. I understand and can relate to a lot of what you have experienced. I, too, am tired of legalism in non-essential things, and a theology that takes precedence over love. And yet I am a HUGE believer that theology does matter. It's just that so often, an over-exacting concern for theological correctness can lead to exclusiveness and pride - and keep us from reaching the very people Christ died to save. So I hear you on that.

I also believe, as you do, that it is important that we have open doors to those who are seeking. What concerns me, though, is that the standard of truth not be completely subordinated to the desire to welcome all. In my little fantasy church world, all would be welcome and would find a place of love and mercy. At the same time, however, we as the church would not leave people to their own devices, but would be careful to love others in truth - and to help them understand and embrace true repentance and faith.



I agree with both the open door and open heart part of the slogan. What I have trouble with is the open mind part (which, if I remember correctly, is the third part of the campaign slogan.)

Anyway, I'm rambling here. I really, really appreciate you taking the time to share what you've learned on your journey of faith with me. I'll let you know how things come out.

With love in Christ,
Grace

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Glad to have helped. I actually didn't intend to leave out the open mind bit ...that's the hardest for me as well!

In my little fantasy church world, all would be welcome and would find a place of love and mercy. At the same time, however, we as the church would not leave people to their own devices, but would be careful to love others in truth - and to help them understand and embrace true repentance and faith.

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For the second time in my life this is close to the dynamic of the church I'm in. The first was the college church that placed love above it's denominationally rigid theological emphasis.

Now I'm in a church in a fairly liberal denomination that doesn't water down truth, yet remains loving.

I hope and pray you find a place like this! I know I'm so blessed to have had this twice in a lifetime. When we long for your fantasy church, and when we find it for a while I think Paul's mirror grows a little less dim, and we catch that glimpse of heaven. We were created for the Garden and I don't think we ever stop missing it so much it hurts. All one person or a group of people can offer right now is an imperfect representation of Perfect Love, but the glimpses can be good stuff!

Bill Ury is a Methodist systematic and historical theology professor you may enjoy listening to. You can hear his program, The Hour of Holiness, at 9:30am Sundays on American Family Radio on the air or online. He's my "Sunday School"

http://www.wbs.edu/Faculty/index.asp?S=view&t=b&f=ury

http://www.afr.net/newafr/sunday.asp


Edited to say - the church Bill Ury attends in Jackson is not the one I referred to in my first response! He's very conservative.

I worked at a methodist church for 3 yrs as Secretary and Youth Director. i learned alot about the theology from my boss, the Pastor. This was 96-99 if i recall correctly. I myself have never been a part of a Methodist or any Wesleyan church. I grew up Catholic. Spent 12 yrs as a Protestant in various denominations. Then 3 yrs ago went back to the Catholic church. My husband and i have been feeling like square pegs in round holes. We cant agree with alot of Protestant theology, mostly Calvinistic, evangelical, fundamentalist theolgy which is where we spent most of our 12 yrs. But we have been really contemplating lately the possibility of joining a Methodist church. Correct me if i am wrong but i believe just like the Catholic church Methodists are both Amillenial and Arminian. Is this correct?? They also have a certain amount of liturgy like celebrating Palm Sunday and Ash Wednesday and Lent, which i am comfortable with. Do Methodists give something up for Lent like Catholics do? Is there anything else that you Methodists would like to share with me. My theological beliefs stand more towards Catholic teaching than Protestant. I like that the Methodists have sunday school, vacation bible school and youth groups for the kids, and that they have bible study classes for adults. i wish the Catholic church did more of that! Tell me as much as you can about WHY I should consider being a United Methodist!! thanks!

Well I've only been a Methodist for about 7 years, and am not sure how United Methodists differ from British Methodists, if at all.

It was purely "circumstances" that led me to attend a Methodist church, nothing to do with theology, I'm afraid. I stayed because the people and leaders were friendly and welcoming, and they, and circuit,allowed me to test a call to preach without hinting that my disability might be a problem and I should wait until I was healed.