Methodism: A brief introduction and personal view
Created | Updated Feb 1, 2004
Methodism is a Christian denomination founded by John Wesley after he experienced a strange warming of his heart in 1738. He felt compelled to change the way people worshipped, feeling that God should be available to everyone, whether rich or poor.
Methodism can be described as "Anglicanism without the pomp and circumstance". This might not be quite true, but this is a brief introduction, and that's how I like to think of my faith. It's true that Methodists don't tend to have huge cathederals and ornate interiors, but it's not all plain and boring!
The first major difference is that Methodism operates an "open table" system. This means that unlike Anglicanism, you do not need to be confirmed into the church to take communion. However, they do operate baptism and confirmation, aswell as church membership (which is a little bit like confirmation).
Another difference is that wine is not taken at communion, as traditionally some Methodists are tee-total. Grape juice is used instead.
Also, the Methodist church will marry divorcees, and tends to have a less strict stand on issues such as abortion, though by no means fully condones these things.
A common misconception is that Methodists are boring, old, crusty and stuck in the past. But they're not! It's true that they're not really the liveliest denomination kicking about,and there's not really a lot of gospel singing and arm waving (although you do see it now and then). The MAYC (Methodist Association of Youth Clubs) does a lot for young people in the Methodist church, and many congregations now adopt more modern songs of praise alongside the more traditional hymns.
A typical Methodist service will last about one hour, and generally follows the following pattern:
Welcome
Hymn
Prayer
Hymn
Bible Readings
Hymn
Sermon
Hymn
Prayers
Hymn
Dismissal and Grace
Methodists like to have a good old sing, so there's usually at least one good Charles Wesley hymn in there somewhere, but this isn't a rule.
Methodism can be described as "Anglicanism without the pomp and circumstance". This might not be quite true, but this is a brief introduction, and that's how I like to think of my faith. It's true that Methodists don't tend to have huge cathederals and ornate interiors, but it's not all plain and boring!
The first major difference is that Methodism operates an "open table" system. This means that unlike Anglicanism, you do not need to be confirmed into the church to take communion. However, they do operate baptism and confirmation, aswell as church membership (which is a little bit like confirmation).
Another difference is that wine is not taken at communion, as traditionally some Methodists are tee-total. Grape juice is used instead.
Also, the Methodist church will marry divorcees, and tends to have a less strict stand on issues such as abortion, though by no means fully condones these things.
A common misconception is that Methodists are boring, old, crusty and stuck in the past. But they're not! It's true that they're not really the liveliest denomination kicking about,and there's not really a lot of gospel singing and arm waving (although you do see it now and then). The MAYC (Methodist Association of Youth Clubs) does a lot for young people in the Methodist church, and many congregations now adopt more modern songs of praise alongside the more traditional hymns.
A typical Methodist service will last about one hour, and generally follows the following pattern:
Welcome
Hymn
Prayer
Hymn
Bible Readings
Hymn
Sermon
Hymn
Prayers
Hymn
Dismissal and Grace
Methodists like to have a good old sing, so there's usually at least one good Charles Wesley hymn in there somewhere, but this isn't a rule.
