A new sign in front of church

[Warrior Poet]

Hey Ladies and Gentlemen,
Recently I noticed a new sign in front of the church across the street from my apartment. I have attended there several times and enjoyed it, I never noticed it before ( I am sure its new). Its the same icon represented here on CF for the Methodist Church. The cross with the red/orangish flame to the side. I didn't really see it differ from the other churches I had been visiting. Similar worship styles, a little "old fashion" a general topic preached on... good sermons when I visited.

So I guess I am asking what steps must be taken to become a Methodist Church, is there and heirarchy or are they mainly independent? How to become a member?

Should I expect to see some changes in worship or services? Or sermons, such as Reciting the Apostles Creed or the Nicene Creed? Personal experience from your own church would be helpful.

Thanks much,

Warrior Poet

[herev]

truly, I've never heard of an already existing church "joining" the UMC, so I can't answer

[ClementofRome]

truly, I've never heard of an already existing church "joining" the UMC, so I can't answer

Hey herev....I thought you were gone! I see from your CF character however that you are incognito! :)

I cannot help with the question either. I suspect that it has always been a UMC and that they simply have a new sign. Not all UMC's have the cross and flame logo on their sign and maybe these folks just decided to begin using it.

As for church signs:

Seen alongside a rural two-lane road in the foothills of NC...

"*****" Bapist Church
We are a premillennial, dispensational, Bible-believing (KJV Only), New Testament Church

Now that is a sign that is welcoming, huh? (name withheld to protect something or other)

[herev]

Hey herev....I thought you were gone! I see from your CF character however that you are incognito! :)

I cannot help with the question either. I suspect that it has always been a UMC and that they simply have a new sign. Not all UMC's have the cross and flame logo on their sign and maybe these folks just decided to begin using it.

As for church signs:

Seen alongside a rural two-lane road in the foothills of NC...

"*****" Bapist Church
We are a premillennial, dispensational, Bible-believing (KJV Only), New Testament Church

Now that is a sign that is welcoming, huh? (name withheld to protect something or other)
Hey Mark!
I'm still around, mostly lurking. Am helping out at another much smaller site now, trying to get off the ground. Hope all is well with you and the family.

[Qyöt27]

Well, in terms of it 'becoming' a UMC, what might have happened was that maybe the building itself used to be home for a different denominational congregation, and maybe they bought a new building so they sold the old one, and that it just happens to now house a UMC congregation.

I mean, if buildings formerly used as Baptist churches can become Hindu or Buddhist temples because the ownership of the building changed hands, I don't see what's stopping a different Christian denomination from moving in.

Of course, like ClementofRome pointed out, maybe they were always Methodist but just got a new sign.


But generally when it comes to Methodist churches, it's kind of a mixed bag. Free Methodists are autonomous, I think, but United Methodists have a hierarchy (the cross and flame logo used here on CF is that of the United Methodist Church). If you're looking for specific UMC positions or doctrine, you can probably find it here:
http://archives.umc.org/interior.asp?ptid=16&mid=1244

Keep in mind, though, that Methodist churches typically will run the gamut on theological, doctrinal, and even political views. Some may be conservative, some may be liberal. I'd generally assume that on average, though, it's somewhere in the moderate area.

As for the services, that can vary a lot also. Some are contemporary, some are traditional, or any combination in between.

[Warrior Poet]

Well, in terms of it 'becoming' a UMC, what might have happened was that maybe the building itself used to be home for a different denominational congregation, and maybe they bought a new building so they sold the old one, and that it just happens to now house a UMC congregation.

I mean, if buildings formerly used as Baptist churches can become Hindu or Buddhist temples because the ownership of the building changed hands, I don't see what's stopping a different Christian denomination from moving in.

Of course, like ClementofRome pointed out, maybe they were always Methodist but just got a new sign.

I never saw any indication until now. I see the same pastor there, his car is there everyday but Thursdays. I guess I am asking what general doctrines would a church have to adhere to, to be classified Methodist.


But generally when it comes to Methodist churches, it's kind of a mixed bag. Free Methodists are autonomous, I think, but United Methodists have a hierarchy (the cross and flame logo used here on CF is that of the United Methodist Church). If you're looking for specific UMC positions or doctrine, you can probably

Keep in mind, though, that Methodist churches typically will run the gamut on theological, doctrinal, and even political views. Some may be conservative, some may be liberal. I'd generally assume that on average, though, it's somewhere in the moderate area.

As for the services, that can vary a lot also. Some are contemporary, some are traditional, or any combination in between.


Thank you for the link. I starting reading and time somewhat got away from me :P
There has be an underlining factor that links Methodist to Methodist though right?

So are Methodist known for hopping around to other Methodist churches? Like frequenting more then one church? Do you have large gatherings like a central meeting location for large multi-church events?

Any other info about the Methodist church, maybe key "players" in its development?

Thanks again.

Warrior Poet

[Qyöt27]

Thank you for the link. I starting reading and time somewhat got away from me :P
There has be an underlining factor that links Methodist to Methodist though right?

So are Methodist known for hopping around to other Methodist churches? Like frequenting more then one church? Do you have large gatherings like a central meeting location for large multi-church events?

Any other info about the Methodist church, maybe key "players" in its development?

Thanks again.

Warrior Poet
To put it very simply, the thing that links Methodists together is the groundwork that John and Charles Wesley laid. It's more of the emphasis on certain things (like social awareness and charity), rather than specific doctrine - I mean, on the UMC website, how many of those questions had a 'there is no official stance on this topic' answer. The best I can do is just give a link to an article that goes over the history (however you view articles from Wikipedia, but I seem to remember those points elsewhere and there's a large list of external links as well):

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methodism

I don't really know in reference to your other questions. The church I attend doesn't really hold multi-church events, and with the exception of moving the congregation to another local Methodist church while the building underwent renovation, I don't know of much church hopping occurring, either, but I have noticed there being a tendency that Methodists are more open to a person exploring the option of changing denominations or fellowshipping with other local churches from different denominations than other groups are.

[Law of Loud]

To be entirely honest, I have not once in my life heard of a church changing denominations to become Methodist (or any other denomination for that matter). If one were to, what would change about that church is also beyond me... there are changes I could name, but it would depend entirely on what they were before.

On most matters though, theology does not seem to be the major force that unites the United Methodist Church, but rather their principles and charity, and a shared history. Take for example, if you look through the Social Principles of the UMC... you'll notice that it does seem to take a stance, and interestingly a very liberal position. However it also puts disclaimers on a large part of the statements, so as to not alienate Methodists who would disagree.

[ctay]

I have heard of church's changing. One not far from me was non denominational, the pastor left a couple of years ago and they decided to go with the Assembly of God to get a chance of getting another pastor. Then there's an older church in a town not far from me that change a couple of denominations during the years and is now non denominational.

[ctay]

Oh I meant to ask. I went to a United Methodist church for a couple of months. The service reminded me of a Baptist church. Mostly songs, a couple of prayers, offering the sermon and an altar call at the end of the service. Are they all like this?

[Hediru]

I am not sure what steps a church needs to take to become a UM church, but I'm sure that you can find the answer on the General Conference website, www.umc.org.

[Qyöt27]

Oh I meant to ask. I went to a United Methodist church for a couple of months. The service reminded me of a Baptist church. Mostly songs, a couple of prayers, offering the sermon and an altar call at the end of the service. Are they all like this?
No, they aren't. For instance, my church doesn't do altar calls. The hymns and the verbal portions are fairly equal (well, if it's the Traditional service; the Contemporary tends to have more music), and then the sermon takes up maybe 15-20 minutes at the end of the service.

I would assume that the divide that separates Methodists from Baptists (aside from the beliefs regarding baptism and soteriology) is not as readily distinct within the Bible belt. Mine is in Central Florida, quite a long way from the Deep South, so maybe that has something to do with it.

[Law of Loud]

No, they aren't. For instance, my church doesn't do altar calls. The hymns and the verbal portions are fairly equal (well, if it's the Traditional service; the Contemporary tends to have more music), and then the sermon takes up maybe 15-20 minutes at the end of the service.

I would assume that the divide that separates Methodists from Baptists (aside from the beliefs regarding baptism and soteriology) is not as readily distinct within the Bible belt. Mine is in Central Florida, quite a long way from the Deep South, so maybe that has something to do with it.

Coming from Seattle, I'd feel it fair to mention that I don't see much resemblence between the Methodist and Baptist churches. That being said, there's a definate difference between the Methodist Church where I live and the Methodist Church from the Bible Belt, and that's been noticeable everytime you have speakers or such come from other conferences.

[ctay]

I thought they were different from Baptist churches. I've been to Baptist churches too. Its just this United Methodist church was just like a Baptist church, it had me a little confused. This was quite a few years ago before the contempory services got popular. I probably need to go check out another United Methodist church...

[Gkbarnes]

"*****" Bapist Church
We are a premillennial, dispensational, Bible-believing (KJV Only), New Testament Church

Now that is a sign that is welcoming, huh? (name withheld to protect something or other)

well, at least you know what it believes ;) :P :D ;) :P

[Warrior Poet]

So here is the low down. They have been in the UMC for many years now.. they are a bilingual church english/spanish... they however just became a regional "host". I guess this means that spanish speaking members can and are offered to visit that church in particular because it meets and focuses on specifics within the hispanic community. Due to this change there are no more english speaking services there. I was directed to the regional "host" English speaking services... its right down the street from me. :D Since becoming a "host" they were given a new sign to go up in front of the church.

Thanks everyone for your time...

Warrior Poet

[ClementofRome]

So here is the low down. They have been in the UMC for many years now.. they are a bilingual church english/spanish... they however just became a regional "host". I guess this means that spanish speaking members can and are offered to visit that church in particular because it meets and focuses on specifics within the hispanic community. Due to this change there are no more english speaking services there. I was directed to the regional "host" English speaking services... its right down the street from me. :D Since becoming a "host" they were given a new sign to go up in front of the church.

Thanks everyone for your time...

Warrior Poet

That is VERY interesting. Thank you for doing the research. We have a large hispanic population in my area as well, yet I have never heard of this "host" thing.

herev.....are you lurking? Do you have the scoop for the UMC on the "host" church thing?

[Warrior Poet]

That is VERY interesting. Thank you for doing the research. We have a large hispanic population in my area as well, yet I have never heard of this "host" thing.

herev.....are you lurking? Do you have the scoop for the UMC on the "host" church thing?

Let me clarify. They are a Regional Office for "my" District. As it was explained to me... this region is made up of mainly bilingual churches, english being the second language. The church near me has become the "host" to the hispanic UM community, as well as retaining the roles of a Regional Office. Which I have yet to get a straight answer on, what is a Regional Office?

Warrior Poet

[DesertedRose]

I have heard of church's changing. One not far from me was non denominational, the pastor left a couple of years ago and they decided to go with the Assembly of God to get a chance of getting another pastor. Then there's an older church in a town not far from me that change a couple of denominations during the years and is now non denominational.

Max Lucado's church dropped "Church of Christ" not too long ago.

http://www.maxlucado.com/about/oak.hills.name.change.html

[DesertedRose]

I thought they were different from Baptist churches. I've been to Baptist churches too. Its just this United Methodist church was just like a Baptist church, it had me a little confused. This was quite a few years ago before the contempory services got popular. I probably need to go check out another United Methodist church...

There's a quote from the movie: "They were Methodists, which my father said were Baptists who could read."

(The guy's father was Presbyterian) :D

[ClementofRome]

There's a quote from the movie: "They were Methodists, which my father said were Baptists who could read."

(The guy's father was Presbyterian) :D

I love that movie! For the era in which the movie takes place, he was largely correct.