What are Methodist and Nazarene?

[ps139]

Hello brothers and sisters in Christ!

I was browsing this forum and I am wondering, is there a difference between the Methodist Church and Nazarene Church? Or are they two names for the same group?

Also, if someone could go into a little history of the names. "Methodist" sounds like there is some sort of "method" involved. Is this right? What method would that be?

And Nazarene means one from Nazareth - what is the significance behind this name?

Thanks in advance!

 

[WesleyJohn]

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[ps139]

We call it "The Church of the Nazarene" for it recognizes whose church it is. (I am quite deliberate in not referring to it as "The Nazarene Church" whenever possible, as that phrase communicates denominationalism, instead of what is intended by our name.) (It is the Church of THE NAZARENE, i.e., Jesus)

Ah, my mistake! Thanks for letting me know

John Wesley was used to begin a holiness movement known as Methodism. This movement utilized spiritual disciplines and small groups (hence the 'method') in order to call people to a deeper and holy life in Christ. Key to Wesleyan theology is the doctrine of Sanctification, which teaches that God desires to restore the Image of God within us through the baptism of the Holy Spirit and continued growth in grace.

Hmm, this sounds much like what we Catholics believe! That each day we can grow in grace, and actually, after accepting Christ and being baptized, this should be the aim of our lives, to grow holier every day. Methodism has a relation to Anglicanism, correct? If so this similar belief would make a lot of sense, as Anglicans and Catholics are pretty close doctrinally.

The United Methodist Church is the largest denomination within Methodism (and probably has the most direct historical tracings to Wesley). However, there are also Free Methodists, Wesleyans, Nazarenes, Salvation Army (to some extent), and other Pentecostal/Holiness groups who claim heritage from John Wesley.

The Church of the Nazarene began in 1908 out of a merger of several holiness revival/campmeeting associations during the American Holiness Movement.

So, are there slight differences in doctrines between UMC and the Church of the Nazarene? Which church are you a pastor at?

Hope that is a start for you!

Thank you very much!

 

[WesleyJohn]

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[stray bullet]

Thanks for the info! I've been meaning to ask this very question for a while. I am an ex-Methodist but I had no idea how they related to the Church of the Nazarene.

I find the choice of name a bit interesting, as "Nazarene" has been used in the past in many different ways.

 

[ps139]

Thanks for all that info WJ. Also, if I was a member of the Church of the Nazarene I'd be picky about the title too. They say that great minds think alike.

 

[herev]

No problem. It's just a dumb pet peeve of mine. Most Nazarene's don't really care...just ones who think like me (hopefully not too many of those!)


John Wesley was an Anglican priest until the day he died. He had no desire (as far as I know) to begin another church or denomination, but hoped to rekindle the fires of holiness within the Anglican church. The Church of the Nazarene is somewhat of a bizarre group, as we trace our routes not just through Wesley, but also through the American Holiness Movement/Revival, which was primarily an American Protestant movement in the late 19th century. As such, our theologians often wrestle between the best of Wesleyan theology and the best of American Protestant theology.

I tend to see myself on the Wesleyan side of that coin, but 20 minutes down the road from me is a Nazarene pastor who would probably be much more comfortable on the American Holiness Movement side of the coin.


I pastor a Church of the Nazarene. I'm sure that there are slight doctrinal differences, but probably more differences will be found in style of worship and in interpretation. In my limited experience, CotN tends to be more contemporary in worship style and less liturgical (although my church is fairly structured and liturgical in its worship). I think you would find that CotNs are more conservative than many UMCs. CotN has a strong missionary emphasis, but I imagine the UMC does as well. It's always dicey to try to compare two denominations, and I'm sure I did poorly. In general, I find that more probably ties us together than separates us, but that we probably each have a unique place in the Body with a unique mission to fulfill.


You're quite welcome.

WJ

agreed on all counts