methodist Vs baptist

[hyperhiggy]

Hi i have a question for anyone that can help!

I returned to my church during the summer which i went to when i was young. I then came over to Scotland in September and i have been going to the local Methodist Church as i went to the one in Belfast. I found the service quite different from the church back home. I have been going to a Baptist Church on Sunday Evenings and really enjoy the services. I was wondering if someone could explain the main differences between them? I have tried to search on the internet but cannt really find anything.

I do not want to upset anyone as i am a member of the Methodist Church and go there on a Sunday Morning but i do enjoy the evening service in the Baptist Church...if anyone could help!

Thank you! :confused:

[PaladinGirl]

Which kind of Baptists and which kind of Methodists are we talking about here? From what I understand, Baptists are generally more conservative.

[hyperhiggy]

Dont mean to sound stupid but how do you mean which kind? They are just called the Stirling Bapitist Church and the Stirling Methodist Church (in Scotland)

[Qyöt27]

Dont mean to sound stupid but how do you mean which kind? They are just called the Stirling Bapitist Church and the Stirling Methodist Church (in Scotland)
What division, is what I'm assuming she meant. There are different divisions of Baptist and Methodist churches. I wouldn't go so far as to call them different denominations, but the approach to certain issues (social or theological) can differ.

For instance, in the US, there's the Southern Baptist Convention, the American Baptist Association, the North American Baptist Conference, and a lot of others. Similarly, there are also Free Methodists, United Methodists, Reformed Methodists, etc. That's what I believe the question was.

[hyperhiggy]

Oh okay...lol im going to look really daft now because i really do not know!!!
http://www.stirlingbaptist.org
http://www.churchseek.net/church/stirlingmeth/

These are the websites for the churches!

[abednego]

hyperhiggy- Well i can tell you the main diffrences between the baptist churches and the methodist churches in my area - Methodist believe in women pastors for one and baptist dont - Methodist ministers get paid and most baptist well baptist around here anyways dont get paid - Baptist dont believe in paying 10% of you paycheck - Baptist churches around here dont baptise there kids as babies where as methodist do - Methodist minister for the most part in my area premeditate their sermons which baptist do not- Also now this one im not sure about but ive heard that methodist believe that after Christ 2nd coming that the lost will have 1000 years to repent if there are any who the know the answer to this i would like know i know that the nazerene believe this but baptist do not! and those are a few of the major diffrences between methodist and baptist in my area- hope that helps

[Qyöt27]

hyperhiggy- Well i can tell you the main diffrences between the baptist churches and the methodist churches in my area - Methodist believe in women pastors for one and baptist dont - Methodist ministers get paid and most baptist well baptist around here anyways dont get paid - Baptist dont believe in paying 10% of you paycheck - Baptist churches around here dont baptise there kids as babies where as methodist do - Methodist minister for the most part in my area premeditate their sermons which baptist do not- Also now this one im not sure about but ive heard that methodist believe that after Christ 2nd coming that the lost will have 1000 years to repent if there are any who the know the answer to this i would like know i know that the nazerene believe this but baptist do not! and those are a few of the major diffrences between methodist and baptist in my area- hope that helps
One of the other notable differences is that Methodists will baptize by sprinkling (although if the person wants to be immersed, they can be), whereas Baptists only use full immersion, no?

[abednego]

One of the other notable differences is that Methodists will baptize by sprinkling (although if the person wants to be immersed, they can be), whereas Baptists only use full immersion, no?

Right - well i mean the baptist churches around here use full immersion and all baptist churches i know of! Right

[hyperhiggy]

Thank you for your help!! I just wasnt sure if it would be wrong to go to both?!

[Filia Mariae]

Some major differences would are:

1. Baptism

Methodists generally baptize infants and usually do so by pouring or sprinkling. Baptists only baptize believers and do so only by full immersion. Both denominations generally believe baptism to be only symbolic.

2. Scripture

Baptists are sola scriptura. Methodists are not, generally believing in the Wesleyan quadrilateral.

3. Salvation

Baptists are (usually) OSAS (once saved always saved). Methodists (usually) are not.

Methodists tend to be more liberal regarding homosexuality, divorce, ordaining women, etc.

[abednego]

Some major differences would are:

1. Baptism

Methodists generally baptize infants and usually do so by pouring or sprinkling. Baptists only baptize believers and do so only by full immersion. Both denominations generally believe baptism to be only symbolic.

2. Scripture

Baptists are sola scriptura. Methodists are not, generally believing in the Wesleyan quadrilateral.

3. Salvation

Baptists are (usually) OSAS (once saved always saved). Methodists (usually) are not.

Methodists tend to be more liberal regarding homosexuality, divorce, ordaining women, etc.

Very good all right from what i know !

[hyperhiggy]

So do you think there would be a problem in God's eyes about going to both of the Churches??? I know it is a difficult question to answer!

[Qyöt27]

So do you think there would be a problem in God's eyes about going to both of the Churches??? I know it is a difficult question to answer!
No, of course it wouldn't be a problem in God's eyes. It's perfectly fine to attend both. Any problem would lie in how your beliefs line up with those of the two churches. Whether or not you agree on a particular interpretation of the Scripture and whether your opinion on it is more Methodist or more Baptist.

Even in such a case that you don't agree, it relies more on whether you're convicted to distance yourself from an interpretation that you don't agree with or whether it's something you can look past and feel fine continuing fellowship with the congregation of said church.

[hyperhiggy]

No, of course it wouldn't be a problem in God's eyes. It's perfectly fine to attend both. Any problem would lie in how your beliefs line up with those of the two churches. Whether or not you agree on a particular interpretation of the Scripture and whether your opinion on it is more Methodist or more Baptist.

Even in such a case that you don't agree, it relies more on whether you're convicted to distance yourself from an interpretation that you don't agree with or whether it's something you can look past and feel fine continuing fellowship with the congregation of said church.

Thank you, i have been worrying about it now for a while. As i said when i go home i only attend the Methodist Church, but when i am in Scotland i sometimes feel that i am not getting enough from the local Methodist Church and i enjoyed the Baptist services as well as the Methodist!!

[DarkGalaxy]

I, too, have been searching for a new church home. I come from a Calvinist background, and not entirely happy with same. I've been wondering about Methodist, too, for trying a service or two to see how it fits me, or not.

It surely can be confusing between all of the denominations. I have no problems whatsoever with ordaining women into the ministry. That is one of my pet peeves about the Baptist churches I've attended in the past. Women are definitely treated as second class citizens, even though they may be far more well-read in the Bible.

[desert_island_1]

In Naz. chruches we allow men and women to be pastors and actually at my church we have like 4 men as pastors and 2 women (so there is still a large gap but women are catching up)

[herev]

Sorry I haven't been around much lately, but I've been working on my board certification paperwork. I'd like to say Carly these are good, but if you don't mind, I'm going to tweak a bit to conform more to United Methodist Theology and doctrine.
Some major differences would are:

1. Baptism

Methodists generally baptize infants and usually do so by pouring or sprinkling. Baptists only baptize believers and do so only by full immersion. Both denominations generally believe baptism to be only symbolic.
Just to clarify, UM's believe that the water is symbolic, as well as the mode (sprinking, immersion, etc), but Baptism itself is not symbolic--it is a sacrament in which God is acting in the person being baptized.

2. Scripture

Baptists are sola scriptura. Methodists are not, generally believing in the Wesleyan quadrilateral.


technically, we Methodist are sola scriptura as in we believe that the Bible contains all that is necessary for salvation, however, while we do believe that the proper means to discern God's message for us is through: Scirpture as primary source, Tradition, Experience, and Reason (also known as the Wesleyan Quadrilateral;)). As has been said, we believe in only scripture, but never scripture alone.

3. Salvation

Baptists are (usually) OSAS (once saved always saved). Methodists (usually) are not.

This is true, though as a denominational stance, we definitively reject OSAS.

Methodists tend to be more liberal regarding homosexuality, divorce, ordaining women, etc.
This is true, though I would stress your word, tend. Where I am in the Southern US, if you attend a smaller church or a primarily rural church, you find much more conservative views.

Good answer, please don't be offended by my nit picking, I just thought I might add to it a bit.
God bless
Tommy

[hyperhiggy]

Thanks for your input Herev! :-)

[Monika]

So do you think there would be a problem in God's eyes about going to both of the Churches??? I know it is a difficult question to answer!

It sounds like you are really wanting to go for the style/type of service. I do this, too. I am Methodist through and through, but I often go to a Saturday evening service with a Lutheran friend of mine, because I feel a need to satisfy a yearning for that very traditional service ("high church" music and lots of liturgy) that Lutherans do so beautifully. (Plus, being a church musician, it's nice to be in the congregation for a change, not having to think about what's coming up next)

Definitely not a problem at all in God's eyes... I don't want to put words in God's mouth, but I'll dare to think He'd be very glad you are doing what you can to experience worship (Christian of course!) with as much fulfillment as you need. http://deephousepage.com/smilies/hug.gif

[hyperhiggy]

It sounds like you are really wanting to go for the style/type of service. I do this, too. I am Methodist through and through, but I often go to a Saturday evening service with a Lutheran friend of mine, because I feel a need to satisfy a yearning for that very traditional service ("high church" music and lots of liturgy) that Lutherans do so beautifully. (Plus, being a church musician, it's nice to be in the congregation for a change, not having to think about what's coming up next)

Definitely not a problem at all in God's eyes... I don't want to put words in God's mouth, but I'll dare to think He'd be very glad you are doing what you can to experience worship (Christian of course!) with as much fulfillment as you need. http://deephousepage.com/smilies/hug.gif

Thanks Monika! What can i say i have turned into a Christian Junkie and just keep needing more and more!!!! :D

[Wesley_Lawrence]

hyperhiggy- Well i can tell you the main diffrences between the baptist churches and the methodist churches in my area - Methodist believe in women pastors for one and baptist dont - Methodist ministers get paid and most baptist well baptist around here anyways dont get paid - Baptist dont believe in paying 10% of you paycheck - Baptist churches around here dont baptise there kids as babies where as methodist do - Methodist minister for the most part in my area premeditate their sermons which baptist do not- Also now this one im not sure about but ive heard that methodist believe that after Christ 2nd coming that the lost will have 1000 years to repent if there are any who the know the answer to this i would like know i know that the nazerene believe this but baptist do not! and those are a few of the major diffrences between methodist and baptist in my area- hope that helps

I have been a baptist my whole life and we beleive the thousand years. i don't know who told you that baptist didn't beleive but they do. Revelation 20:3 "He threw him (the devil) into the Abyss, and locked and sealed it over him, to keep him from deceiving the nations anymore until the thousand years has ended."20:5"(The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years was ended) This is the first resurrection. 20:6- "Blessed and holy are those who have a part in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years".

In this the devil was thrown into an Abyss, so that he could not influence whether or not people would repent. After the thousand years, the one's who repented came to Life(HEAVEN). While the thousand years, the one's who were brought up in the first ressurection were to be priests of God and Christ and will reign with him.

We also put in 10% of our paycheck each Sunday.

One thing we don't do is baptist our babies because we believe should only be baptist after you are saved.

Our pastors get paid. They work on their sermons each week that they do them. So they premeditate too.


What kind of Baptist are you talking about?
Please email, Abednego

[hyperhiggy]

I am so thankful to all of you for your advice and answers. Thank You

[Avaya]

hyperhiggy- Well i can tell you the main diffrences between the baptist churches and the methodist churches in my area - Methodist believe in women pastors for one and baptist dont -

Same in my area - in fact I've never heard of it being different anywhere.

Methodist ministers get paid and most baptist well baptist around here anyways dont get paid -

You're kidding! How do baptist preacher's live?? I'm Baptist and I'm the treasurer at my church, and believer you me, I write a check to our pastor weekly. I've never heard of a baptist preacher not being paid a regular salary.

Baptist dont believe in paying 10% of you paycheck -

Never heard that before. We tithe (a tenth). Of course it's not monitored and nobody is going to check up on who is tithing what, but Baptists do believe in tithing.

Baptist churches around here dont baptise there kids as babies where as methodist do -

Correct - Baptist - and any Christian denomination as far as I'm concerned - believe that one must make a conscious decision to accept Jesus as their savior. An infant cannot make that decision.

Methodist minister for the most part in my area premeditate their sermons which baptist do not-

I KNOW! I was so stunned when we visited my husband's grandmother's Methodist church at Christmas and the preacher READ his prayer. I'd never heard of such. As Baptists, we pray as the Lord leads us at the time, whatever He lays on our heart. As for the sermon though, my pastor brings notes with him to the pulpit, and I know he meditates on his sermon throughout the week.

[abednego]

I have been a baptist my whole life and we beleive the thousand years. i don't know who told you that baptist didn't beleive but they do. Revelation 20:3 "He threw him (the devil) into the Abyss, and locked and sealed it over him, to keep him from deceiving the nations anymore until the thousand years has ended."20:5"(The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years was ended) This is the first resurrection. 20:6- "Blessed and holy are those who have a part in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years".

In this the devil was thrown into an Abyss, so that he could not influence whether or not people would repent. After the thousand years, the one's who repented came to Life(HEAVEN). While the thousand years, the one's who were brought up in the first ressurection were to be priests of God and Christ and will reign with him.

We also put in 10% of our paycheck each Sunday.

One thing we don't do is baptist our babies because we believe should only be baptist after you are saved.

Our pastors get paid. They work on their sermons each week that they do them. So they premeditate too.


What kind of Baptist are you talking about?
Please email, Abednego

Well now notice i said baptist churches in my area ..... they type of Baptist would be Free will Baptist or Old Regular Baptist.... what kind of baptist are you talking about?

[abednego]

Same in my area - in fact I've never heard of it being different anywhere.



You're kidding! How do baptist preacher's live?? I'm Baptist and I'm the treasurer at my church, and believer you me, I write a check to our pastor weekly. I've never heard of a baptist preacher not being paid a regular salary.



Never heard that before. We tithe (a tenth). Of course it's not monitored and nobody is going to check up on who is tithing what, but Baptists do believe in tithing.



Correct - Baptist - and any Christian denomination as far as I'm concerned - believe that one must make a conscious decision to accept Jesus as their savior. An infant cannot make that decision.



I KNOW! I was so stunned when we visited my husband's grandmother's Methodist church at Christmas and the preacher READ his prayer. I'd never heard of such. As Baptists, we pray as the Lord leads us at the time, whatever He lays on our heart. As for the sermon though, my pastor brings notes with him to the pulpit, and I know he meditates on his sermon throughout the week.

thanks for the post ... there are diffrent types of Baptist soo i can see why we dont see eye to eye on these things ... what type of Baptist church do you go to? The type im talking about are free will baptist and old regular baptist. im starting to figure out that even methodist have diffrent types didnt know that ... i just mentioned the baptist churches around here.... and you're prolly not a free will or and old regular baptist are ya? just asking

[wvmtnkid]

Mod Hat On

Just wanted to comment that this thread is going slightly adrift. While the thread is entitled Methodist vs. Baptisit, it appears that it is going down the road to talking about the different theology's in the Baptist church. Nothing wrong with discussing that, however, that discussion would probably be more suited for the Baptist/Anabaptist forum.

Thanks for your cooperation! :)

Mod Hat Off

[Plan 9]

So do you think there would be a problem in God's eyes about going to both of the Churches??? I know it is a difficult question to answer!

I don't see a problem with it at all. I very much enjoy visiting other churches. :)

[Plan 9]

Correct - Baptist - and any Christian denomination as far as I'm concerned - believe that one must make a conscious decision to accept Jesus as their savior. An infant cannot make that decision.

United Methodists are well aware that infants cannot make that choice, and I have known of UM ministers who will baptise adults at their request.

However, as I understand it, it's a matter of having a different perspective in regard to the sacraments: whereas Baptists see them as demonstrating what we each promise God, Wesleyans tend to see them in light of what God has promised us.

Personally speaking, I was baptised twice. Did I need to do that to be saved? No.

[abednego]

United Methodists are well aware that infants cannot make that choice, and I have known of UM ministers who will baptise adults at their request.

However, as I understand it, it's a matter of having a different perspective in regard to the sacraments: whereas Baptists see them as demonstrating what we each promise God, Wesleyans tend to see them in light of what God has promised us.

Personally speaking, I was baptised twice. Did I need to do that to be saved? No.


Matthew 3:1
In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,
Matthew 3:2
And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Matthew 3:3
For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
Matthew 3:4
And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey.
Matthew 3:5
Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan,
Matthew 3:6
And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.
Matthew 3:7
But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
Matthew 3:8
Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:
Matthew 3:9
And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.
Matthew 3:10
And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Matthew 3:11
I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:

True True .... Baptizim with water doesnt save anyone ..... no child or adult ... you must be baptized with the Holy Ghost, and with fire. Baptist, believe that it is showing a good conscience towards God, they do it to show the world that they have died out to sin and there going out to bury the old sin or flesh! Its awesome! ...... Shall we gather at the River!?!?! The beautiful, beautiful river, gather with the saints at the river! So you didnt need to do it but you wanted too im guess thats awesome!

[Glisten]

Another note to consider when deciding which denomination to attend... the congregation. To me a congregation that is caring and friendly is better than a church that has a stuffy and opinionated congregation...just another thing to consider when looking for a church. Being entirely in line with a church's doctrine doesn't mean much (to me) if the congregation is aloof and opinionated. Maybe pray about this. :pray:

[abednego]

Another note to consider when deciding which denomination to attend... the congregation. To me a congregation that is caring and friendly is better than a church that has a stuffy and opinionated congregation...just another thing to consider when looking for a church. Being entirely in line with a church's doctrine doesn't mean much (to me) if the congregation is aloof and opinionated. Maybe pray about this. :pray:

Good thought.... one thing .... if the congregation is entirely in line with the church or the bible more importantly then i dont think they would be what you call opinionated or aloof... and they would be caring and friendly ... just my thought

[jess anderson]

I think the point is that you should attend a church where you feel comfortable, welcome, appreciated and equal among a congregation of like-minded people... at the first church I attended when I became a Christian there were people who made me feel like I didn't belong there because I was a new Christian and still extremely unsure about what I actually believed. But where I am now, we are a very small congretation (no more than 20 once the youth group leave) and people made me feel very welcome right from the start. I'm still in the early stages of my Christian life but receive constant guidance and support from them.

[countrymouse33ad]

oops, double post.

[countrymouse33ad]

Methodists generally baptize infants and usually do so by pouring or sprinkling. Baptists only baptize believers and do so only by full immersion. Both denominations generally believe baptism to be only symbolic.





Former Baptist and former Methodist here. There is a distinction between how Baptists and Methodists view baptism. Methodists call baptism a sacrament, a means by which God grants His saving grace. (The same is true of holy communion.) Baptists see it as purely symbolic and as an act of obedience.

Btw, in England, Baptists are not broken down into all the categories we have here in the US. Initially, however, there were General Baptists and Particular Baptists (the latter being Calvinistic, believing that God only offers His grace to the elect.)

[daddave]

Some thoughts on this post:

1) kudos to all for keeping this from a denomination "bashing" thread
2) it doesn't matter where you spend your few hours on Sunday at; it's how you show God's love the rest of the week.
3) The church "flavor" can often come down more to the specific congregation than the denomination it is a member of.
4) In general, Baptist churches will not accept infant baptism to become a "member" of their church, you will need to be re-baptized.
5) I suggest surfin' the web for online sermons from both Methodists & Baptists to get a feel for their differences.
6) Also check out different churches websites, usually they will list what they believe.

Have a great day!
Dave

[Strong in Him]

Hi hyperhiggy, :wave:

I don't think it matters at all in God's eyes if you go to both churches. There are people who are mambers of our Methodist church, and go to the Salvation Army on Sunday evenings. Both our minister, and the S.A captain know that they go to both churches.
You might find at some point that both the Methodist and baptist churches want to receive you into membership of their particular church. And you would probably have to choose one to belong to, (unless it's possible to be a member of two churches at the same time? I don't know.) But belonging to one church should in no way prevent you from attending the other. And membership's not compulsory anyway. The woman who's in charge of our Junior church, and does an enormous amount, organising traid craft, Christian aid etc, is not a member.

All the best

Gill

[Rev Joe]

I feel that man will always find fault with one religion over another and I say this because we are man and man will judge. How about this "New Idea"? Find a church that you feel comfortable with and go there. There is nothing worse than having to attend a church because someone you know does. By doing this, you will find fault with so many things and you will loose the main idea of attending church, which to me, is "To Worship GOD". http://www3.christianforums.com/images/icons/icon3.gif

[Rev Joe]

I feel that man will always find fault with one religion over another and I say this because we are man and man will judge. How about this "New Idea"? Find a church that you feel comfortable with and go there. There is nothing worse than having to attend a church because someone you know does. By doing this, you will find fault with so many things and you will loose the main idea of attending church, which to me, is "To Worship GOD". http://www3.christianforums.com/images/icons/icon3.gif

[abednego]

I feel that man will always find fault with one religion over another and I say this because we are man and man will judge. How about this "New Idea"? Find a church that you feel comfortable with and go there. There is nothing worse than having to attend a church because someone you know does. By doing this, you will find fault with so many things and you will loose the main idea of attending church, which to me, is "To Worship GOD". http://www3.christianforums.com/images/icons/icon3.gif


Good post ... very true!

[spokenforbyHim]

hyperhiggy- Well i can tell you the main diffrences between the baptist churches and the methodist churches in my area - Methodist believe in women pastors for one and baptist dont - Methodist ministers get paid and most baptist well baptist around here anyways dont get paid - Baptist dont believe in paying 10% of you paycheck - Baptist churches around here dont baptise there kids as babies where as methodist do - Methodist minister for the most part in my area premeditate their sermons which baptist do not- Also now this one im not sure about but ive heard that methodist believe that after Christ 2nd coming that the lost will have 1000 years to repent if there are any who the know the answer to this i would like know i know that the nazerene believe this but baptist do not! and those are a few of the major diffrences between methodist and baptist in my area- hope that helps

umm yea, thats pretty much it right there except for the 1000 yrs to repent. Well, at least my methodist church doesnt believe that. But yea, I enjoy my services and I also enjoy baptist services. The only big difference I've noticed is about the sermons...Methodist pastors write em a long time before they actually give them and baptists don't and well most of the time dont write them down at all, they just go with the holy spirit right when they get up to the pulpit and that makes it more exciting because they really get into it.

[spokenforbyHim]

I feel that man will always find fault with one religion over another and I say this because we are man and man will judge. How about this "New Idea"? Find a church that you feel comfortable with and go there. There is nothing worse than having to attend a church because someone you know does. By doing this, you will find fault with so many things and you will loose the main idea of attending church, which to me, is "To Worship GOD". http://www3.christianforums.com/images/icons/icon3.gif

Good point, that's definitely true.

[Jennifer615]

I haven't read all the posts here, but I believe that God is happy with both churches. Not one church in the world has all their doctrines 100% right. I don't think any church is God's elite.

Personally, the Methodist church suits me better, because I'm divorced and remarried. My husband was married 3 times before (left for another each time!). On our wedding, our Methodist Minister gave a beautiful speeach on how God is so gracious and gives second, third and fourth chances. I also believe homosexuals are born this way. I may be wrong, but that's what my personal convictions are as I work with alot of them. Most people at my church disagree with me, but respect my opinion. The Baptist church probably wouldn't accept me.

I do however agree with the Baptist church in regards to baptising infants. I believe one should get baptised when they have made a decision to follow Christ. The Baptists also believe in separation of church and state, saying you cannot force anyone to be a Christian, which I tend to lean towards.

I agree with the poster who said find a church where you feel happy in, and fit in, and go to it.:D

[babbred]

This is true, though I would stress your word, tend. Where I am in the Southern US, if you attend a smaller church or a primarily rural church, you find much more conservative views.

Good answer, please don't be offended by my nit picking, I just thought I might add to it a bit.
God bless
Tommy

My father was a UMC minister. When I grew up, I first attended a Southern Baptist church, then married my husband and followed him back into Methodism! Never say God doesn't have a sense of humor. :D

Tommy, you're right. My father pastored in rural Texas, and I can remember hearing him talk about "those liberal Methodists up North who are ordaining women." It's just not the denomination itself, it's also where a particular church is located and the culture surrounding it.

What's even funnier is that now I'm studying to become a lay pastor with the Methodists. Over here in Britain, they have a program called "local preaching." You conduct services, but you're not allowed to administer the sacraments, such as communion or baptism. Fortunately, my father has changed his mind. Several years ago he and Mom switched over to Nazarene and have come to accept women ministers.

One other note: my Baptist pastor had a house with a swimming pool, so he was definitely getting paid some sort of salary. :)

[WiredSpirit]

For me the difference is all in the issues the churches choose to support or oppose. My mother goes to a American Baptist Church and I go to a United Methodist Church. The reason I chose my church over hers is because of the diversity of the congregation and how accepting they are. When it comes to political issues, the churches are complete opposites.

One thing I've noticed is the larger the church, the more conservative. I spent most of my life growing up in a 20,000 member church and it was extremely conservative. They did not allow women to be ordained and even prohibited gays from joining the church (if they didn't renounce homosexuality). Most small churches (under 500) I've gone to are more liberal. This trend seems to be true across all denominations.

[babbred]

Hyperhiggy, to answer your original question, I don't think God will have any problem with it. Denominations were created by men, not God. Just as long as they teach biblical truth you're ok.

When I still lived in Dallas I attended two churches, my regular Baptist one on Sunday mornings and a Taize service at an Episcopalian church on Saturday evenings. While I enjoyed the fellowship on Sundays, I also enjoyed that the other church had times of silence and reflection in the service. I was fed by both churches.

[Twins]

All this information is VERY helpful! Thank you! But I have one question that I'm not sure of...do Methodists and Nazarene's believe the same thing...I was specifically looking for the differences in belief between Nazarene/Baptists, and saw both Nazarene and Methodists linked together a few times in this thread.
This is my first post, so hope I've done it correctly!
Also, how do I subscribe to this thread so that I can see the replies?
Thanks!!

[Davis]

Some major differences would are:

1. Baptism

Methodists generally baptize infants and usually do so by pouring or sprinkling. Baptists only baptize believers and do so only by full immersion. Both denominations generally believe baptism to be only symbolic.

2. Scripture

Baptists are sola scriptura. Methodists are not, generally believing in the Wesleyan quadrilateral.

3. Salvation

Baptists are (usually) OSAS (once saved always saved). Methodists (usually) are not.

Methodists tend to be more liberal regarding homosexuality, divorce, ordaining women, etc.
Wow things are different with the Free Methodist church. There is dedication services for infants in our church. But our Free Methodist Church baptizes with full immerisions and will not baptize a child.

[lindamarie]

All of the "differences" are generalities, I would say... And generally, baptists are more calvanistic and methodist/nazarene are more armenian....

Those things aside, "being saved" is about having a relationship with Christ. As long as you have this, the rest of the beliefs, IMNSHO, are details (even if they may be "important" details).

I can assure you, as someone who has been a member of several different denominations in my life (due to moving around a lot), God will lead you where you should go -- and that might be to more than one church (I've had periods in my life when I attended one church on Sunday a.m. & another in the evening.)

Where you may get into "trouble" is if the pastor or parishioners are of the opinion that you should not be attending more than one denomination...

Having said that, I do not believe there are any protestant denominations that disallow attending other denominations (though some practice "closed communion")

To sum it up -- worship God wherever you are able... It's His opinion that counts anyway !

[ContraMundum]

Correct - Baptist - and any Christian denomination as far as I'm concerned - believe that one must make a conscious decision to accept Jesus as their savior. An infant cannot make that decision.

...yet, infants can believe. Matt 18:6 cf Lk 18:15 etc