Why are you a Methodist/Nazarene/Wesleyan?

[Rathvon350]

Well I wasn't raised anything in particular I just went to whatever church I could get a ride to.I finally started attending a Wesleyan Church in High School where I stayed until college and still occationally visit. In college I attended the Wesley Foundation and the accompanying UMC. When I really started to understand the Methodist Church, it's history and it's founder I knew I would never go anywhere else. As it turns out I had been Methodist all along and just didn't know it. Now I'm in the process of becoming an ordained UMC elder and love the UMC more everyday. When I read Wesley and see his passion for Christ I just get excited. I love the mix of "High Church" that came from the Anglican tradition and the evangelical, revivalistic tradition, it's just beautiful. However, if asked whether I was a Christian first or a Methodist the answer would be, without hesitation, Christian. All of a sudden I am strangely warmed, hhmmm.

Godbless.

 

[CavFan]

We briefly attended a few other churches when I was a kid, but I don't even remember what denomination they were. The Nazarene church is where my family got saved and we just never went anywhere else.

 

[Shane Roach]

I also enjoy the UMC church because even though there is a book of disapline, and some theological standards you can pretty much decide what you belive about things on our own. (although I can not hink of a good example right now).

I like that at a charismatic UMC there may be people speaking in tongues, but no one says you might not saved if you don't. I like that you can admit to some confusion over OSAS vs. Backsliding, even though the official Methodist teaching traditionally is that people can backslide, but no one hammers your noggin over it. People are very open and willing to answer your questions without necessarily peering at you as if you are nuts. I learned a lot in the Methodist church that might have been hard to learn in other churches. Odd that I nevertheless came out fairly conservative. I think honest answers to honest questions sums it up for me. That is not to say different people have not had that same experience in other churches. I guess to be brutally honest, one big reason is the UMC was the first church I was ever a member of.

Still, I have had pretty good experiences over all, though it seems no church can privide you a complete haven from this world. That's not for this life though, I think.

 

[Morghaine]

I like that at a charismatic UMC there may be people speaking in tongues, but no one says you might not saved if you don't. I like that you can admit to some confusion over OSAS vs. Backsliding, even though the official Methodist teaching traditionally is that people can backslide, but no one hammers your noggin over it. People are very open and willing to answer your questions without necessarily peering at you as if you are nuts. I learned a lot in the Methodist church that might have been hard to learn in other churches. Odd that I nevertheless came out fairly conservative. I think honest answers to honest questions sums it up for me. That is not to say different people have not had that same experience in other churches. I guess to be brutally honest, one big reason is the UMC was the first church I was ever a member of.

Still, I have had pretty good experiences over all, though it seems no church can privide you a complete haven from this world. That's not for this life though, I think.

My previous pastor always said that "Methodists don't expect you to check your mind into the coat room when you come in the church". I always thought that was wonderful - he offered (and my church still does) so many neat classes where we all can ask questions and debate and learn in a loving, respectful fashion.

 

[Shane Roach]

My previous pastor always said that "Methodists don't expect you to check your mind into the coat room when you come in the church". I always thought that was wonderful - he offered (and my church still does) so many neat classes where we all can ask questions and debate and learn in a loving, respectful fashion.

 

[REVBILL]

So I'm curious about something: why are you a Methodist/Nazarene/Wesleyan?

Have you ever been anything else? If so, what? Was there something specific that prompted your move to Wesleyan-style faith?

Hi brother n n sister n I was in sin was in n out of jail was a horrible husban n father God awoke my spirit one day in June 2002 n told me to seek the perfection that He has offered to us . I was in prison through man n self God sent a chaplain to feed me this was a Methodist doctirnal man who fed me milk .Since this day in 2002 God has added the meat n growth to bring understanding I as a man of God am to seek perfection . G/B

 

[Morghaine]

Praise God! Welcome to CF and Wesley's Parish, RevBill! God bless!

 

[REVBILL]

It s a shame more and more we see churches falling away from Gods Word and closer toward the worldly things.

 

[REVBILL]

sorry brothers n sisters im tryn to post n cant get it right wrong spot please forgive me

 

[Strong in Him]

I was born into a methodist family and as God has placed me into methodism I've never heard Him telling me to move elsewhere, though I have cause to work and worship ecumenically.

It's nice to see another UK Methodist. Hi Candleflame.

 

[candleflame]

It's nice to see another UK Methodist. Hi Candleflame.

Hi there. I always seem to come online when everyone else is off and vice versa so only just got to you tonight. Good to see you too. There doesn't seem to be a lot of us about! How are things with you? I'll PM you as I seem to recall you have to keep to the subject of the thread!

 

[candleflame]

It's nice to see another UK Methodist. Hi Candleflame.

Sorry tried to PM you but it said you weren't receiving PM's? Is that right or a bug? take care.

 

[Shane Roach]

His inbox could be full too?
Anyhow, I obviously don't know... Just taking a wild guess.

 

[KOGwarrior]

So I'm curious about something: why are you a Methodist/Nazarene/Wesleyan?

Have you ever been anything else? If so, what? Was there something specific that prompted your move to Wesleyan-style faith?

Why am I a Methodist? I am currently a member of a Methodist church. It is where my wife grew up, and we got married.
I grew up in a United Brethren church. During college years, I attended a Word of Faith Charismatic church. When I got married, I was very involved in my UB church of my youth, so we attended there. About 10 years ago, we got run off from the UB church by some mean-spirited-christians-in-name-only. Decided to go to my wife's church.
Almost left there about 6 years ago, but got a new young pastor that is a Spirit-filled, Spirit-lead Man of God. I got very involved there, and ended up joining the church.
I actually first-and-foremost consider myself a member of the Body of Christ. I just happen to belong to the Methodist Church, so that I can preach and teach there.

 

[Jadis40]

I was raised in the United Methodist church, and I love the freedom that it gives. What I mean by this is, you're treated like an adult and have the opportunity to come to your own conclusions regarding non-essential issues like the age of the earth and such, instead of it being handed down from the 'higher ups' in the church on what the set doctrine should be.

I think that's why I could never seek to become a member of a more conservative denomination. I know I wouldn't fit in, because I'm pretty liberal on the interpretation of the Bible on some points.

 

[IndianaJesusfreak]

I was raised in a Nazarene church. I was saved when I was 14. I backslid less than a month later. I left my parents house when I was 18. After I moved out on my own I became a pot head for about 25 years. In 2001 God came looking for his lost sheep. It was pretty much like the story of the prodigal son. I moved back to my home town and back to the Lord. I'm still amazed at how lovingly he took me back.
I'm now very active in the church. I teach jr. High sunday school, I work in the children's church and several other things also. I'm in the SWID dictrict (Indiana).

Aside from being raised in the Nazarene church, the reason I am a Nazarene is because I agree with the doctrine. It would be better to ask why I am not a....Baptist.... Penticostal...Seventh day Adventist...Catholic.......

 

[skizzymcgurk]

I was rasied a Southern Baptist but have found the SBC becoming too politcal and less interested in the things spititial. I don't find that UMC

 

[Morghaine]

Hello, Skizzymcgurk! Welcome to CF and to Wesley's Parish!

 

[Artos]

Why am I a Methodist?
1 Grandfather was Meth Pastor
2 Several uncles on both sides of family were/are Meth Pastors
3 Most importantly: Found Christ in Methodist Church or rather, He found me in the 70s.
4 Grew up with it.
5 Am Meth pastor for 27 years

---------
If I were living in UK (which I am not) I will probably not be a Methodist but something else with the charismatic (perhaps with some sacramental) bent. Might be Anglican or Independent eg Vinyard church/ Ichtus linked churches.

If I were in the States, might be Episcopalian or something else (certainly not Baptist, Brethren, Lutheran, RC nor Salvation Army...) with the independent churches or the Charismatic Episcopal Church....

 

[quickstep]

So I'm curious about something: why are you a Methodist/Nazarene/Wesleyan?

Have you ever been anything else? If so, what? Was there something specific that prompted your move to Wesleyan-style faith?

Why I am a Methodist? Well I was raised in a Methodist home so that probably has a lot to do with it as most of us. But also I simply agree with their openminded approach to belief and christian principles. Wesley was a simple vanilla christian who believed in Jesus and his grace and wanted to follow him. He lived his belief. He looked down on no one nor any other denomination. What more do we need?