New to the Methodist Church

[InHisSpirit]

Hey,

i recently joined a Methodist congregation from Baptist--my husband got a new job.
Can someone fill me in on the theology of the church?
Thanks.

[herev]

try starting here:
www.umc.org (http://www.umc.org)
then when you have some more specific questions, you are in the right place to ask--Welcome to the UMC and to Wesley's Parish.

[herev]

ps, let us know if and when you want to change your icon to UMC---pm me, I can get it done.

[InHisSpirit]

I would love that! Thanks!

[contriteheart]

Hello InHisSpirit and welcome! :)

In another thread, I was asking about a book called Being Methodist in the Bible Belt. I haven't yet read it myself (only excerpts), but many people here said they really liked it.

The express purpose of that book is to kind of show what Methodists believe, and contrast it a bit with the heavily Baptist-influenced beliefs often held in the Bible Belt. From what I have seen in the excerpts, it is written in a very user-friendly, fun, and straightforward manner.

In addition to the link herev gave you, that might also be a great starting place to kind of compare and contrast Methodism with the Baptist doctrine and practice you're used to. If you're interested, I know that Amazon.com carries it.

Again, welcome! :wave:

Your sister in Christ,
Grace

[InHisSpirit]

Thanks for the advise. i would like to know the information about the book that compares/contrasts Baptist vs. Methodist.

THANKS!!

[herev]

I would love that! Thanks!I would love that as in, "please change my icon to methodist?"

[InHisSpirit]

yes.please.

[alaurie]

Welcome to Wesley's Parish! :)


I grew up Southern Baptist and my parents still are. If you're in a fairly conservative Methodist church, I don't think you find too many differences. You wouldn't in mine ...my pastor was raised Southern Baptist, our assistant pastor grew up Methodist, is now an ordained SB minister seeking ordination in the Methodist church. Some folks in the church joke that the only thing Methodist about our church is the sign.

One positive I can see is that even in a conservative Methodist church, there's likely to be less judgementalism, more actual grace shown ...but then I grew up in a very small town Baptist church, then switched to a Calvininst denomination for some years so those experiences probably skew my perception in favor of the Methodists.

And Happy Birthday, 2 days ago. :)

[overnight]

Have you opened a can of worms or what. Although the person here who stated that the only thing methodist about there church is the sign sound funny that is not true about the mjority of UMC's. It would ring pretty much true about the church that I am currently going to as well but I live in the south and a part of the south that has a strong Southern Baptist backgroud. that being said let me tell you some of the mojor theological differences and if you have questions we can take it from there.
The UMC does not belive or endorce the theology of Once Saved Always Saved.
The UMC ordaines women.
The UMC has two sacraments (baptism and communion)
The UMC allows anyone to partake of communion
The UMC baptises children.

Thoses are some of the mojor theological differences there may be others but I htink those are the big ones. Remeber you are tlaking two different churches with two distincivley different backgrounds. For in most though accourding to the church you may see no differences but in the "what they belive relm" they are different.

[alaurie]

I'm not sure what part of the country InHisSpirit is from, but from my part of the world (deep South), I don't think she opened a can of worms.

There's a lot of ecuminicism here between SB and UMC. And although there are more Baptists than not embracing OSAS, I know a good many who don't. I've also never been to a Baptist church (have attended many besides my childhood one) that practiced closed communion.

[InHisSpirit]

As far as once saved always saved, are there criteria to determine loss of salvation? Scripture?

I am okay with ordaining women.

How is baptism a sacrament?

Communion--we are all one body of Christ

My husband has discussed the infant baptism with our pastor and i have an understanding of the doctrine, but not in agreement. But who agrees with all our churches set as doctrine?

I am in South Carolina-heart of the Southern baptist belt. Many of the older members of the Baptist church I just left have asked why I changed religions. Its a funny comment in a way but sad at the same time. We all have the same basic which is Jesus is God's Son, He lived a perfect life, died on the cross for my sin, and rose again on the third day. HE IS COMING AGAIN.

So, I know some people have strong opinions here in the south, but I feel as long as I worship my God, my Christ, I am good. I just want to be as familar with where I am as I can be. Thanks for everyone's help and insight.
:D

[overnight]

As far as once saved always saved, are there criteria to determine loss of salvation? Scripture?
I honestly am not the best person to ask about this perhaps herev or someone who knows more about this subject woul like to say something. You could possibly also ask you pator he/she may have scripture references. You may also want to check out www.umc.org (http://www.umc.org)

How is baptism a sacrament?
I am not relly sure how to answer this question mostly because I am not sure what you are asking. But baptisim is a recgnized sacarment of the UMC. You may want to look through some of the other baptism threads here in WP to get a better idea

My husband has discussed the infant baptism with our pastor and i have an understanding of the doctrine, but not in agreement. But who agrees with all our churches set as doctrine?
This is so true

[overnight]

I'm not sure what part of the country InHisSpirit is from, but from my part of the world (deep South), I don't think she opened a can of worms.

There's a lot of ecuminicism here between SB and UMC. And although there are more Baptists than not embracing OSAS, I know a good many who don't. I've also never been to a Baptist church (have attended many besides my childhood one) that practiced closed communion.

I meant only that here in WP she opened a can of worms. Mostly wherever you go there are not huge differences in these two churches. As far as OSAS even in the UMC there are people who believe it, although the church in itself does not. Finally I have a question. Have the Baptist churches you have been in let small children take communion?
I know that I can take my children and they too can take commuion although they are very young.

[InHisSpirit]

In the baptist churches i have been in tha desicision lies with the parents.

[svdbygrace]

Welcome to the UMC, and Wesley's Parish!

I used to be Baptist too. :)

[InHisSpirit]

Thanks svdbygrace!

[herev]

yes.please.done

[herev]

Have you opened a can of worms or what. Although the person here who stated that the only thing methodist about there church is the sign sound funny that is not true about the mjority of UMC's.true
It would ring pretty much true about the church that I am currently going to as well but I live in the south and a part of the south that has a strong Southern Baptist backgroud. I didn't realize you were in the south, will have to check your profile again!

that being said let me tell you some of the mojor theological differences and if you have questions we can take it from there.
hope you don't mind me commenting here;)

The UMC does not belive or endorce the theology of Once Saved Always Saved.
absolutely correct

The UMC ordaines women.
some baptists organizations do as well, so this may be a broad statement. I assume that the OP is from independent or southern baptist, which of course, generally do not ordain women

The UMC has two sacraments (baptism and communion)
typically, this is not different from baptist

The UMC allows anyone to partake of communion
I truly have no idea on most baptist church's stand on this--will have to investigate

The UMC baptises children.

true
Thoses are some of the mojor theological differences there may be others but I htink those are the big ones. these (save for some of my comments) are the major differences)
Remeber you are tlaking two different churches with two distincivley different backgrounds. For in most though accourding to the church you may see no differences but in the "what they belive relm" they are different.perhaps, baptist churches are sooooo different from each other, it's hard to tell without knowing more of the OP's background
good info though
(forgive the comments--couldn't resists;))

[herev]

I'm not sure what part of the country InHisSpirit is from, but from my part of the world (deep South), I don't think she opened a can of worms. me neither, but I hate worms;)

There's a lot of ecuminicism here between SB and UMC.
near my church, it sooooo greatly depends on the church. The church I pastor, oddly enough had a female pastor just prior to myself (gorgeous blond;)--I can say that--she's my wife--sherev) and one baptist church still has nothing to do with us, while others participate eagerly with us for community services, etc.

And although there are more Baptists than not embracing OSAS, I know a good many who don't. I've also never been to a Baptist church (have attended many besides my childhood one) that practiced closed communion.good information--thanks

[herev]

As far as once saved always saved, are there criteria to determine loss of salvation? Scripture?now we get to the can of worms;)
I am speaking now of my own theology and doctrine.
Wesley preaches and we believe in a faith-based salvation. You are saved by faith. Should you lose that faith for whatever reason, you no longer are saved.
most of my baptist friends (and I have many, many here in the bible belt) would simply say that if this happens, you were really never "saved" to begin with. Me-I've seen someone lose their faith--I was convinced before that they genuinely had faith, then after a tragedy in the family, I am eqully convinced they lost it. Ironically, she was baptist, so her responses to me as I visited with her over and over and over went along these lines:
"Well, i don't do the God thing anymore--don't believe in him, BUT, I used to believe and was baptized and was saved, so if I'm wrong, I'm still saved because you can't lose your salvation.":scratch:



I am okay with ordaining women.

whew!
lol, good. I've seen some join the umc KNOWING OUR POSITION here and then leave in a huff when a woman was appointed to their church.

How is baptism a sacrament?

a sacrament is generally and easily seen as something that God does--not humans; something that is "ordained" by Christ in the scriptures--as in he demonstrated it through example and "command" As he said, You must be born of water and the spirit, and as he said, do this as often as you do in rememberance of me--both communion and baptism are considered sacraments.

Communion--we are all one body of Christ

amen
My husband has discussed the infant baptism with our pastor and i have an understanding of the doctrine, but not in agreement. the beauty of the UMC (and some say it's a curse;)) is that we are pluralistic. We have official doctrine, but if you disagree, you will not be booted out.

But who agrees with all our churches set as doctrine?

exactly
I am in South Carolina-heart of the Southern baptist belt.
coool! Where are you? You may be close to me!
Many of the older members of the Baptist church I just left have asked why I changed religions. Lordy, I hope you told them you're not leaving the religion--the religion is Christianity--you're changing denominations!

Its a funny comment in a way but sad at the same time. We all have the same basic which is Jesus is God's Son, He lived a perfect life, died on the cross for my sin, and rose again on the third day. HE IS COMING AGAIN.

yup
So, I know some people have strong opinions here in the south, but I feel as long as I worship my God, my Christ, I am good. and as long as His blood covers you, you're even better than good;)
I just want to be as familar with where I am as I can be.
good for you--I wish all UM's were as interested!

[InHisSpirit]

herev,

Thanks for you insight and information. I am near Charleston, SC in a small town. The pop is about 2,000 so this is extreme Bible Belt. There are two main churches, the "Baptist Church" or the "Methodist" church. No one really uses the names. What makes my situation even more interesting is that I was the youth minister at the "Baptist" church and we have moved churched because my husband became the youth minister at the "Methodist" church. Talk about the gossip, oh and our children's god parents are the music minister and his wife from the "Baptist" church. OH THE SCANDAL!! lol.