Trapped as a Methodist

[JesusFreakOkie]

I am a Methodist . . . but only in the since that I attend a Methodist church.

What's my hangup with the Methodist church? Their slogan explains it all, "Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors." I don't think that the Methodist Church, as a whole, has any real hardcore beliefs that are required in a Methodist church. It's just, whatever you want to believe is A-OK!

I also would like to see the Methodist Church endorse speaking in tongues, and other things of this nature. Right now, I don't even hear the message of "Accept Jesus as Savior, or go to hell" being taught, just "Be a good person."

Let's face it, I'm an evangelical at heart, and am stuck in a middle-of-the-road Methodist church.

What do you all think about this? Am I way off the mark, or what?

 

[Islander]

I agree. I've read a lot about the history of Methodism and you like most Methodist churchs during the first 200 years but then it to stray from its teachings in the first half of the 20th century and the speed of the decline increased around the 1960s. There are still some UMC's that have speaking in tongues and similar stuff.

Personally historic Methodism, which still exists in the Free Methodist Church and some other churchs, is a little too fundamentalist for me but I think the UMC has gone way too far in the opposite direction.

 

[sinner/SAVED]

I am a Methodist . . . but only in the since that I attend a Methodist church.

What's my hangup with the Methodist church? Their slogan explains it all, "Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors." I don't think that the Methodist Church, as a whole, has any real hardcore beliefs that are required in a Methodist church. It's just, whatever you want to believe is A-OK!

I also would like to see the Methodist Church endorse speaking in tongues, and other things of this nature. Right now, I don't even hear the message of "Accept Jesus as Savior, or go to hell" being taught, just "Be a good person."

Let's face it, I'm an evangelical at heart, and am stuck in a middle-of-the-road Methodist church.

What do you all think about this? Am I way off the mark, or what?

So exactly who do you think we should close our hearts, minds, and doors to? Sinners?

If you close the door to sinners, there will be a lot of empty churches.

I see the UMC, (at least the conferences that I am familiar with) as being very evangelical.

While I have attended services at UMC churches where tongues were spoken, it is not very often. I would much rather hear a lively testimony or sermon that I can understand, learn from, and remember than utterances that have no meaning to me.

If you think the UMC doesn't have beliefs, you should visit the UMC.org site and spend some time reading all the beliefs that Methodist's have.

Best wishes in your search, you are in my prayers.

And when you find that special church that closes it's doors to poor, burdened, sinners, let me know; I want to stay as far away from it as possible.

 

[Linnis]

I am a Methodist . . . but only in the since that I attend a Methodist church.

What's my hangup with the Methodist church? Their slogan explains it all, "Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors." I don't think that the Methodist Church, as a whole, has any real hardcore beliefs that are required in a Methodist church. It's just, whatever you want to believe is A-OK!

I also would like to see the Methodist Church endorse speaking in tongues, and other things of this nature. Right now, I don't even hear the message of "Accept Jesus as Savior, or go to hell" being taught, just "Be a good person."

Let's face it, I'm an evangelical at heart, and am stuck in a middle-of-the-road Methodist church.

What do you all think about this? Am I way off the mark, or what?

How can you be trapped as any one denomination? What is some Methodist poastor holding a gun to your head, forcing you to go to church in a Methodist church?

I don't see anything wrong with the slogan, if more churches were openminded and allowed people to within the church believe how they need to, so many people wouldn't be giving up religion today.

I attend a Free-Methodist church, and we do not speak in Tongues and they tell anyone that it's our belief unless you believe in Jesus and accept him you will not get eternal life thus no salvation.

Actually I've been to a regular Methodist church and they don't do that either....I have however seen a lot of the over the top speaking in tongues and such in other churches, but I've always liked the Methodist enviroment because they don't turn it into a freak show or hold tents for revivals outside Wal-Mart.

 

[Hockeywife]

I couldn't agree with you more, Linnis. I feel that if one is not comfortable in their denomination or church they are attending, then it's their right to leave and chose one more to their liking.

If I wanted to be a part of a denomination that spoke in tongues, I'd have joined that denomination.

I love the UMC because of it's open-ness and will to accept EVERYONE. That and I do not feel comfortable in churches where people speak in tongues. I went to a friends church recently, where he is the associate pastor (a Pentecostal church), where speaking in tongues was done more so than sermon. I felt very uncomfortable and out of place there, so I never went back.

The choice is yours. You need not be "stuck" in a place you don't want to be. Make the change.

 

[equusargentum]

I'm a member of the Methodist Church. I have a little card in my purse reminding me of my calling to worship, service, learning and caring, and evangelism. I would also "like to see the Methodist Church endorse speaking in tongues and other things of that nature". I think here in teh UK, that's starting to be recognised. I would say I am an evangelist. I have found that my church allows a lot of freedom. This could be negative though, because some people see no reason to commit because of this. The actual church you attend could make all the difference, have you tried others in your area. When it comes down to it, it's not the denomination, it's your relationship with God that counts.

 

[Dad Sr]

Hi,
I am a life long Methodist/UM after the merger and have often been disapointed with the lack of discipleship in the church. Several of the previous posts point to the fact that the Methodist used to be very evangelistic, very strict in there doctrine, and even rigid in there beliefs.

For example - the Methodist took the lead in the prohibition movement. Free Methodist worked dilligently against slavery. The circuit riders that went around the "wilderness" now known as Kentucky and Tenn. were Methodist.

The tradition of the Methodist Church is very rich and there are some renewal groups that are trying to bring the fire back to the UMC. The congregation I
worship with on Sunday morning enjoys Praise music, strong preaching, The
Affirmation of Faith, and a song from the Hymnal every week.

There are several things you can do:

1. Try to work with the congregation you worship with now
2. Find another Methodist church to join
3. Find a church that you can serve in, grow in, and worship in.

My hope is that you will find a place that you can grow closer to Jesus Christ.

Dad Sr

 

[Linnis]

I couldn't agree with you more, Linnis. I feel that if one is not comfortable in their denomination or church they are attending, then it's their right to leave and chose one more to their liking.

If I wanted to be a part of a denomination that spoke in tongues, I'd have joined that denomination.

I love the UMC because of it's open-ness and will to accept EVERYONE. That and I do not feel comfortable in churches where people speak in tongues. I went to a friends church recently, where he is the associate pastor (a Pentecostal church), where speaking in tongues was done more so than sermon. I felt very uncomfortable and out of place there, so I never went back.

The choice is yours. You need not be "stuck" in a place you don't want to be. Make the change.

Exactly, the first time I was in a church for an actual worship service it was at my Mother in law's church, an Assembly of God, they spoke in tongues. Not only did it seem like acting it wasn't my kind of worship, that's when I found a Methodist church and even with little or no prior knowledge about God besides what I found out at Christmas, I was welcomed and taught and excepted.

Churches should accept EVERYONE because as the Song Goes Jesus loves me. It does not say Jesus loves me only if I'm this this and this....that's all in my opinon though.

I think you should shop around until you find a church you are comfortable in and want to be a part. A church which will help you grow in understanding of your relationship with the Father...it in all honesty doesn't matter which church that happens to be.

 

[g22coates]

well if you want to speak tongues you can always become pentacostal, just a suggestion, they seem to offer what you're looking for. from what little I know about that religeon.

 

[Diane_Windsor]

JesusFreakOkie,

Like some others have written you are free to leave the UMC and find another denomination to worship with. Perhaps the denomination that I was raised in suits you better-the Southern Baptist Convention (www.sbc.net).

Diane

 

[Diane_Windsor]

So exactly who do you think we should close our hearts, minds, and doors to? Sinners?

If you close the door to sinners, there will be a lot of empty churches.

I see the UMC, (at least the conferences that I am familiar with) as being very evangelical.

While I have attended services at UMC churches where tongues were spoken, it is not very often. I would much rather hear a lively testimony or sermon that I can understand, learn from, and remember than utterances that have no meaning to me.

If you think the UMC doesn't have beliefs, you should visit the UMC.org site and spend some time reading all the beliefs that Methodist's have.

Best wishes in your search, you are in my prayers.

And when you find that special church that closes it's doors to poor, burdened, sinners, let me know; I want to stay as far away from it as possible.

 

[herev]

why are some suggesting he/she leave? Stay and be who you are--with open minds, open hearts, open doors, you, too are welcome!!
from:
Rev. Tommy
an evangelical United Methodist PReacher

ps, we do have hardcore beliefs--all of them centered around God's fantasticly undeserved grace!

 

[flywithchrist06]

I don't understand the whole thing about speaking in tounges...but anyways...I'm a member of a United Methodist church...they do have hardcore beliefs but in my experiences they don't push beliefs on to a person...a big reason why I like this denomination....I share what I have been taught and what I believe with my church family and use to with my pastor when we had one...she got reassigned though and I guess were in between pastors at the moment...but when I share these thoughts with people we'd just talk about what they believe too and get some kind of understanding....know one knows if they're right, they only know what they believe..so whos to say that the Methodist or any other denomination is right about everything or anything for that matter. Maybe I'm way off but I think there should be room for other beliefs...that the slogan or whatever stands..and that we all be open minded.

 

[Texas Lynn]

I am a Methodist . . . but only in the since that I attend a Methodist church.

What's my hangup with the Methodist church? Their slogan explains it all, "Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors." I don't think that the Methodist Church, as a whole, has any real hardcore beliefs that are required in a Methodist church. It's just, whatever you want to believe is A-OK!

Methodists are seekers. We take the individual conscience seriously like the Southern Baptists used to when they were primarily opposed to Roman Catholicism rather than now when they oppose all non-fundamentalists. We take seriously the "priesthood of believers" concept of 2 Peter 2:9. No Pope, Prince, or Potentate has authority over the individual mind.

The slogan is so much closer to Christ's witness than "Let's elect Republicans and oppress those we hate" which is the credo of the Religious Right.

 

[JesusFreakOkie]

Thanks everyone. With the exception of Lefty Lynn, you all have helped me feel a lot better about my Methodist church. I guess the only thing I have a problem with is the "open minds" part of the slogan. Sure, we could be wrong, but don't we need to at least believe that we're right in our beliefs?

 

[Linnis]

Thanks everyone. With the exception of Lefty Lynn, you all have helped me feel a lot better about my Methodist church. I guess the only thing I have a problem with is the "open minds" part of the slogan. Sure, we could be wrong, but don't we need to at least believe that we're right in our beliefs?

Yes, you believe you are right in what you believe, but so does everyone else. What you have to accept is that God gave everyone a mind & will of their own to think and do with what they wish.

 

[JesusFreakOkie]

BTW, the reason I said, "Trapped" in a Methodist Church, is because my mom works at a Methodist Church, and I don't have the resources to go drive to a different one.

 

[WiredSpirit]

Methodists are seekers. We take the individual conscience seriously like the Southern Baptists used to when they were primarily opposed to Roman Catholicism rather than now when they oppose all non-fundamentalists. We take seriously the "priesthood of believers" concept of 2 Peter 2:9. No Pope, Prince, or Potentate has authority over the individual mind.

The slogan is so much closer to Christ's witness than "Let's elect Republicans and oppress those we hate" which is the credo of the Religious Right.

We are a very pluralistic church. I believe the UMC encompasses the entire spectrum of the universal church. There's a place for everybody, even conservatives--or at least thinking conservatives.

 

[Linnis]

BTW, the reason I said, "Trapped" in a Methodist Church, is because my mom works at a Methodist Church, and I don't have the resources to go drive to a different one.

You have two legs right? Walk. I walk to my church 3-6 times a week and back.

 

[sinner/SAVED]

Thanks everyone. With the exception of Lefty Lynn, you all have helped me feel a lot better about my Methodist church. I guess the only thing I have a problem with is the "open minds" part of the slogan. Sure, we could be wrong, but don't we need to at least believe that we're right in our beliefs?

Without "Open Minds", open hearts and open doors would not be possible. We do have beliefs and we do believe that ours beliefs are right, but we can't witness our beliefs if we turn away those we disagree with.