What makes/keeps *you* a member of the UMC?

[Soma Seer]

I'm curious to know what beliefs/thoughts/practices make you distinctly UM rather than a member of any other Christian church body? Who knows? Maybe the only distinction for you is the style of each Sunday service, as you dislike those of all other Christian churches/groups you've visited.

BTW, I've done much reading on UMC.org and, so, have a grasp of the UMC's beliefs and mission. But I'd like to know your personal thoughts and dearly held beliefs that make the UMC uniquely right for you.

Thank you,

SS

 

[circuitrider]

Soma Seer,

I'm a convert to United Methodism. For me what makes me a United Methodist is the Wesleyan emphasis on grace and how Grace is described as prevenient, justifying, and sanctifying.

Along with that, I appreciate an Arminian emphasis on salvation and a meaningful theology of the sacraments.

 

[Soma Seer]

I'm a convert to United Methodism.

*raises hand with a question* From what faith group did you convert?

For me what makes me a United Methodist is the Wesleyan emphasis on grace and how Grace is described as prevenient, justifying, and sanctifying.

I recently read about this topic on UMC.org and must give it further thought.

Along with that, I appreciate an Arminian emphasis on salvation and a meaningful theology of the sacraments.

I know nothing about the Arminian emphasis on salvation and, so, have more reading to do.

Does the UMC use the term sacraments or ordinances? (Or am I confusing the UMC with another Christian group? )

 

[AlexLL]

I feel all the United Methodist congregations I have been to have been welcoming, loving, and caring. They have been Christ centered and great proclaimers of the love of God.

Originally I decided to start attending a UMC because my mother comes from a Methodist family, but I stayed and later became a member because I felt it was truly a good fit for me.

 

[circuitrider]

*raises hand with a question* From what faith group did you convert?

I recently read about this topic on UMC.org and must give it further thought.

I know nothing about the Arminian emphasis on salvation and, so, have more reading to do.

Does the UMC use the term sacraments or ordinances? (Or am I confusing the UMC with another Christian group? )

I was formerly an American Baptist. Arminian theology is often considered the rival to Calvinism, another major way to look at the faith and salvation.

For United Methodists baptism and communion are sacraments.

 

[Soma Seer]

I feel all the United Methodist congregations I have been to have been welcoming, loving, and caring. They have been Christ centered and great proclaimers of the love of God.

I find your personal experience to be very encouraging.

Originally I decided to start attending a UMC because my mother comes from a Methodist family, but I stayed and later became a member because I felt it was truly a good fit for me.

I've a dear, long-term friend who was raised UMC and attends a UMC parish today with his wife and daughter. He's proud to be a part of the UM family and, I'll admit, his feelings for his particular faith/church body intrigue me.

 

[MystyRock]

I visited a Methodist church for the first time almost 2 years ago. Been an "official" member for one year. This is where I first heard and understood that God loves me and wants a relationship with me.

 

[Soma Seer]

I visited a Methodist church for the first time almost 2 years ago. Been an "official" member for one year. This is where I first heard and understood that God loves me and wants a relationship with me.

Prior to your initial visit there, where were you at on your spiritual journey, if I may ask?

 

[MystyRock]

Prior to your initial visit there, where were you at on your spiritual journey, if I may ask?

I was in a very dark place. I was disillusioned with organized religion; exploring atheism and agnosticism. There was no real journey at that time; I felt like I didn't have any hope.

Started talking with a new employee at work; didn't know he was Methodist. If I had, I would probably not have continued conversations.

I've met a few Methodists since then. They aren't the type to force their beliefs or religion. They have a genuine concern for people - that's what made me look further into the Methodist beliefs.

 

[Soma Seer]

I was in a very dark place. I was disillusioned with organized religion; exploring atheism and agnosticism. There was no real journey at that time; I felt like I didn't have any hope.

Started talking with a new employee at work; didn't know he was Methodist. If I had, I would probably not have continued conversations.

I've met a few Methodists since then. They aren't the type to force their beliefs or religion. They have a genuine concern for people - that's what made me look further into the Methodist beliefs.

I've never been atheist or even agnostic but have been on a loooong search for a religious path to call home. I'm still on that search and am doing much study on various Christian faiths, now that I at least have concluded that the Christian faith is more right for me than any other.

I am happy that you found a church body/parish that uplifts and sustains you. That is what I wish for.

 

[GraceSeeker]

I love the connection between belief and praxis that one finds in Methodism (not that one doesn't find it other places as well, but it is certainly one of the things that keeps me involved in the UMC). And few other groups have the connectional system that we in the UMC have to really put faith into action on not just the individual basis, but the whole corporate body of the entire denomination, and still keep that local feel to who we are as individual congregations.

 

[Joykins]

I sort of happened on the Methodist church, in that "we're looking for a church, it's down the street, and we've always wanted to see what the Methodists are all about" kind of way. And when we got there the people were friendly, everything seem to click--in terms of worship style, teaching, basic theological approach (somewhere between center and center-left), and children's programs.

It's not so much about distinctives for me, although Wesleyan spirituality definitely has a good deal of appeal. Infant baptism was a real change for us, though I don't really have a big problem with that (my daughter was baptized by her own choice, since Methodists will do it either way). I do love Charles Wesley hymns (their underlying theology as well as the usual musical settings) so there is that.

 

[WiredSpirit]

Well, I grew up in a non-denominational church and left the church in my teens. Later on when I was doing my own research I discovered the UCC and started attending one, but the congregation was small and not growing, and pretty much dead. It just so happens the last several places I moved I have found a UMC church that is all those things.

 

[Soma Seer]

I just want to pop back in and say that I've read every message in this thread and very much appreciate what everyone has shared.


SS

 

[FergusonTO35]

I chose to convert to Methodist from independent Baptist. I consider myself to be a Wesleyan Methodist who attends a UMC congregation. I like all of the churches that emerged from the eighteenth and nineteenth century Methodist revivals.

 

[JCFantasy23]

I like the Wesleyan theology on grace and growing in Christ rather than instant perfection. I also love they offer open communion as I firmly believe this is what God intended. I'm still a member as I haven't found anything more suitable yet - but I do admit I haven't been going to church any longer since my last church closed down. Disheartened by that, the visits I did to the church my pastor moved to haven't felt nearly as fulfilling.

 

[Soma Seer]

I like the Wesleyan theology on grace and growing in Christ rather than instant perfection. I also love they offer open communion as I firmly believe this is what God intended.

I like this idea--which I think is important that I remember, as I still am considering the UMC.

...I haven't been going to church any longer since my last church closed down. Disheartened by that, the visits I did to the church my pastor moved to haven't felt nearly as fulfilling.

I'm sorry about your former church closing down and that you're having trouble finding another good church home that feels right.

I don't know where you live, but maybe the perfect church for you is farther away than you've searched. I don't mean to suggest that you should drive farther than you're willing/able to attend a church. But if you are willing/able to drive, say, 25(+) miles, then it's possible your next church home is within that radius. I wish you the best of luck in your search.

 

[JCFantasy23]

Thank you Soma Seer

 

[RomansFiveEight]

I'm a Southern Baptist convert. My Grandmother is a UM Elder (ordained Pastor) so I was familiar with United Methodism. But my parents were Southern Baptists; my dad a very conservative, fundamentalist "Christian". When I felt a call to ministry, I preached one sermon in a Southern Baptist Church. I got lots of good comments, people were happy, it went great. And, don't ask me why, but I immediately knew I didn't belong there. After a lot of soul searching, I realized that the Wesleyan approach to the Gospel was my approach to the Gospel. I don't have to reject people to love God, I don't have to ignore science and reason; and the Bible doesn't have to be this ultra-simplified, literal and inerrant super-book. But instead, something so much more real, important, and tangible. Something I have a responsibility to use as a lens to understand God. Instead of something that I'm supposed to use like the manual to my car, and read as literally and simplistically as possible.

So here I am today, a United Methodist Pastor in my 5th year under appointment.

 

[RomansFiveEight]

I'm going to add one more to my 'list'.

A few years ago, Adam Hamilton; a UM Pastor and author, wrote a book entitled "Christianity and World Religions", in which he compared and contrasted the worlds biggest religions and talked about how we as Christians have a responsibility to interact with these people in love, and what evangelism to people of other faiths looks like. The predecessor at the church I current serve did a similar series. United Methodists are known for positive ecumenical relationships. A UM Pastor was in the news for praying with a Muslim Imam for peace after 9/11, and so on and so forth.

A church down the road from mine is advertising their current sermon series, "Cults" in which they are breaking down why Islam, Hinduism, Mormonism, etc. are wrong, and basically shaming and hating. It doesn't seem to serve to edify or improve, teach or help anyone be any closer to God or evangelize to others. It's just teaching them one-liners to use to criticize others.

I'm glad to be a part of the former; not the latter.