What it does it mean to be Methodist?

[StudentofScripture55]

I was raised in the United Methodist Church (except for a brief period early in my life when my family attended a Presbyterian church), but as I have been reflecting on my own spiritual beliefs and attitudes towards God, my realization has been that I had never questioned the Methodist way of doing things, or even examined what it really means to be a Methodist. I’ve heard the story of John Wesley before, but I haven’t given much thought to the significance of his life or ministry.


So here's what I ask of the folks here: what are the most important themes of Methodism, in doctrine and worship? What distinguishes the UMC from Methodism in general, besides the obvious (the UMC being by far the largest Methodist denomination)? I’d like to explore this topic.


Thank you!

 

[Lee52]

I was raised in the United Methodist Church (except for a brief period early in my life when my family attended a Presbyterian church), but as I have been reflecting on my own spiritual beliefs and attitudes towards God, my realization has been that I had never questioned the Methodist way of doing things, or even examined what it really means to be a Methodist. I’ve heard the story of John Wesley before, but I haven’t given much thought to the significance of his life or ministry.


So here's what I ask of the folks here: what are the most important themes of Methodism, in doctrine and worship? What distinguishes the UMC from Methodism in general, besides the obvious (the UMC being by far the largest Methodist denomination)? I’d like to explore this topic.


Thank you!

To me, the most important of Methodist themes is that Jesus died for all people who will accept that substitutional sacrifice on our behalf. Second to that is the unconditional love that I have always felt within the Methodist movement congregations I have worshipped in.

 

[Mr Dave]

The Four Alls of Methodism are often seen as our theological emphases (not the entirety of our theology though);


All need to be saved (The Doctrine of Original Sin)
All may be saved (The Doctrine of Unlimited Atonement)
All may know themselves saved (The Doctrine of Assurance)
All may be saved to the uttermost (The Doctrine of Christian Perfection)


The two repeated words, as Lee said, pretty much sum up how we view things, 'All' and 'Saved'. Salvation and for whom the sacrifice was made are somewhat important to us.

 

[GraceSeeker]

What distinguishes the UMC from the rest of Methodism in general besides size?

Very little that isn't itself a by-product of our size. We have more diversity in our midst. We have a larger global outreach. We have more people who object to things they have heard about us, especially in the way of our activity or lack of activity (depends on who you ask) in social issues.

Maybe the biggest thing is that if you trace history, it has been those groups that separated themselves from the bulk of Methodist congregations to form the smaller denominations that have provided a moral compass which the larger denomination subsequently, but only slowly, followed on issues such as opposition to slavery, recongizing women in the pulpit, etc, and yet paradoxically it is the larger denomination that is considered more liberal.

 

[livinginChrist]

Graceseeker to learn more about our beliefs as a church and as a part of christ's body go to umc.org it will give you the information you want.

livinginChrist

 

[Lee52]

And, unless I missed it, the actual term came from a Bible study group in England where the use of method in Bible study gave the group a nickname: Methodists. They had rules and method to their study of Scripture and thereby began the use of the title. The Wesley's never intended to start a new denomination, but rather, a re-awakening, or reformation of the Church.

Be blessed,
Lee52

 

[Mr Dave]

And, unless I missed it, the actual term came from a Bible study group in England where the use of method in Bible study gave the group a nickname: Methodists. They had rules and method to their study of Scripture and thereby began the use of the title. The Wesley's never intended to start a new denomination, but rather, a re-awakening, or reformation of the Church.

Be blessed,
Lee52

Very true;

The name 'Methodist' was first used as an insult - people thought Wesley and his followers took the gospel much too seriously. Rather than going to church just out of habit, Methodists have always believed that religion should come truly from the heart, and make a difference to how we live our lives. Traditionally, Methodists seek some 'method' of making sure that happens, for example by finding time to pray each day.

TMCP, Called By Name: Being a Member in the Methodist Church, Peterborough: Methodist Publishing House, 2002

 

[GadFly]

Unless we are careful and watching in prayer any church we belong to might be a place to cover our sins. Any church that does not repent and admit its failure to be the spiritual leader in the community is reckless with its church membership whether it be a UMC or just a community church. It might be important to be a church member but it is more necessary to be a member of the church of the first born. God adds to that church daily those that are to be saved and it means no more to be a UMC member than it does a Baptist Church member. We might be living in a pretend membership if we feign that there is a difference in membership of the first born.