Why Methodism?

[Iosias]

Why are you a Methodist? :)

[cristianna]

I'm a "Methodist" by church default. The first time I entered a church, willingly and of my own free will, it was a Methodist church just down the street from us. It was awesome! The Pastors preached phenomenally! The congregation was wholesome, welcoming and accepting! The lived, breathed and studied the word. And not only all that, but they ACTED OUT the words they preached.

I'm not one that studied, interviewed and really dug very deeply into other denominations before deciding "Methodist" was what was best for me. I have been to other churches of several denominations, yet the Methodist churches always called my name.

[Qyöt27]

We were raised in a United Methodist Church, but at home we had a much more Baptist type of environment. In my teenage years I became more generally interested in faith and thinking about what I really believed, independent of going to church (seeing as how we aren't exactly the most frequent of churchgoers), and after looking into the differences between a lot of denominations and even seriously considering Catholicism for a while I checked out Methodism more thoroughly and realized that most of the conclusions I came to either fit exactly or were acceptably accommodated by the general stances of the UMC.

It was a rather nice surprise on my part, that the church we'd always gone to that I really didn't know much about doctrinally ended up being where I probably fit in the most (although since I am on the more high church side of Methodism I could probably be ok in an Anglican or Episcopal parish as well).

[foreveramanda]

Born in to it. My father is a methodist pastor. I have however been to other churches. I never felt at home at any other church though.

[Citanul]

My parents were Methodists, and so I've attended a Methodist church from childhood, and I've never found any reason to leave it.

[Celticflower]

Like some of the others, I was born into a Methodist family. I have attended other churches (currently a non-denom), but always feel more "at home" in a Methodist church. I like the way Methodists tend to put their faith into action -- many of the other churches I have attended tend to just toss money at a problem, Methodists tend to roll up their sleeves and actually do something.

[cristianna]

Like some of the others, I was born into a Methodist family. I have attended other churches (currently a non-denom), but always feel more "at home" in a Methodist church. I like the way Methodists tend to put their faith into action -- many of the other churches I have attended tend to just toss money at a problem, Methodists tend to roll up their sleeves and actually do something.

:amen: I'm not saying other denoms don't, but from what I've witnessed firsthand from church hopping and shopping, it tends to be more UM churches willing to get down and dirty.

[Redheadedstepchild]

We were raised Methodist in a fairly traditional church. I've been away from church until just recently. Before attending church again I did a lot of reading about the different denominations and their beliefs and practices and found that I actually identified most closely with the UMC...I was actually a little surprised by that.

I also like that church can be both laid back and traditional at the same time.

[foreveramanda]

We were raised Methodist in a fairly traditional church. I've been away from church until just recently. Before attending church again I did a lot of reading about the different denominations and their beliefs and practices and found that I actually identified most closely with the UMC...I was actually a little surprised by that.

I also like that church can be both laid back and traditional at the same time.
I love this too!
I love the church my dad is at right now because of the diverse services. We can go to the early service and it is contempary with a band. Or if we want to sing more traditional songs we can go to late service.

[T2woman]

Well I have to admit that the reason I joined the Methodist church is because I work there. I previously attended a Southern Baptist church. But in reality I do not believe in denominations. I believe in “one holy catholic and apostolic church”. However, after reading and understanding what a Methodist believes I can see that I am in tune with the social principles. I was raised in whatever church would come and pick me up so my parents could sleep in on Sunday. I was sent to a catholic boarding school where I fell in love with the “smells and bells” and the Latin chanting. I hated it when I could understand what the priest was saying. I felt it was more Holy in Latin. Having spent most of my life as a practicing pagan I am really drawn to the work of the Holy Spirit. I identify myself as a born again spirit filled child of the most High God.

So If I had to define myself I would be a cathomethobaptacostal.

[cristianna]

So If I had to define myself I would be a cathomethobaptacostal.

I LOVE IT! :thumbsup: :D

[Marycita]

I grew up in a catholic church, but around the time of confirmation, I realized I didn't know what I was getting myself into, so that started my search for what I really believe. I was searching until this year actually. I researched different denominations and visited tons of churches. And I happen to go to a college that is affliated with the Methodist church...so I visited the church on campus. I have never felt so at home and welcomed than I do at that church. It's such a family there. And they really do seem to understand that faith without works is dead. And they do more than just fundraising (not trying to be mean)....and I love love love that. SO I researched methodism more and the more I did, the more and more I fell in love with it.

HA - sorry that was so long...

[Redheadedstepchild]

So If I had to define myself I would be a cathomethobaptacostal.

Going by that I must be Luthermethocostal. Wonder what the faith symbol would look like?

[cristianna]

Going by that I must be Luthermethocostal. Wonder what the faith symbol would look like?

^_^ :thumbsup:

[Karen1959]

I was baptized in the Methodist church as an infant with my 2 older sisters. My uncle was a Methodist minister and our Godfather and he just passed away in February. My parents took me to church for a short time and then stopped going. My best friend moved into my neighborhood when I was 9 and her family went to the Methodist church also. I started going with them every Sunday and became a member when I made my confirmation in 7th grade. We were involved in every activity that the church offered. Sunday School, Bible School, retreats, choir, served communion, lay readers, played the organ (took lessons from the church organist), taught Sunday school. Those were the very best days of my life!! I continued to go all through high school and then got married at 19 and quit going. (what a mistake!)
I'm still Methodist and like the others... I feel very comfortable in the Methodist congergation. I love the songs we sing and the way we pray and the way the message is preached. Other churches are great too.

May God pour his blessings out upon you and may you have peace and lots of love.

[ContraMundum]

Why are you a Methodist? :)

Like yourself, I'm a member of Methodism's mother church fellowship.

However, I'm Methodist through and through.

My reasons are thus:

a) Methodism makes sense. Theologically, the doctrine of holiness is clear throughout scripture and forms the core of the Methodist emphasis and message.

b) The true Methodist tradition is based thoroughly on scripture.

c) Wesleyan-Arminianism (properly taught and understood) is the only soteriological formula that upholds on all points God's Sovereignty, Man's total depravity and God's undeserved gift of free grace for all mankind. At no point is one point of truth watered down in favor of another. The Methodist emphasis on prevenient grace is both Biblical and logical.

d) The world and the church needs a revival in true holiness. Only hearts purified by faith and fervent for the Word of God will ever bring any kind of credibility back to the church and usher in a revival, which the world can see and which would bring many to saving faith. Within the Methodist tradition we see that taught and preserved.


Hope that helps.