I had been raised southern baptist and had been going to the same church for years. Then I moved and I decided to go to the methodist church that my inlaws go to. I liked it and felt more involved and happy at the methodist than I had ever in the baptist. I am considering changing my religion.
2006-10-16 07:47:34 · 16 answers · asked by 86Angel 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Its actually the united methodist church if that helps anyone. Thanks for letting me know that I wouldnt be changing my religion.
2006-10-16 08:18:34 · update #1
Either one is Christian, so you're not considering changing your religion. Here are some basic differences.
Governance:
Southern Baptists (SB): Congregationalist organization. Churches call (hire) their own ministers. Although there is an over-arching organization, each congregation is autonomous.
United Methodists (UM): Episcopal (hierarchy with bishop) organization. Pastors are assigned by the bishop. Congregations are linked pretty tightly with one another.
Theology:
SB: Conservative, largely fundamentalist. Believe in adult baptism (not infant baptism), and always by full immersion. Evangelical approach to recruiting members. They believe that the Bible is infallible and is the sole basis for faith.
UM: Broader range of beliefs. Some fundamentalists, some liberals. All supposedly believe in the resurrection of Jesus. Some may not believe in the second coming. They allow infant baptism (christening) or adult baptism (either on the head or via full immersion). They consider faith based on the Bible, tradition, reason, and personal experience.
Social Action:
SB: Base their social actions primarily on saving souls, but there are several programs designed for improving the lives of others (hospitals, anti-poverty programs, etc.)
UM: Base their social programs more on improving the lives of others, with saving souls seen as important but not the first line of action. (They tend to think that someone has a hard time hearing the gospel when they're starving.)
Worship:
Almost indistinguishable, except when you see an adult baptism in a Baptist church. Most Baptist churches have a baptismal pool in the sanctuary.
Politics:
SB: Although they are risking a lot with the IRS, many SB churches have taken stands against abortion, gay marriage, and premarital sex. Oddly among Christians, they have been supportive of the war in Iraq and of military actions in general.
UM: Tend to focus on social justice issues somewhat more, although they also have taken stands against gay marriage. They tend to support programs that end poverty and promote education. They are against the Iraq war.
I hope this helps.
2006-10-16 08:07:00 · answer #1 · answered by NHBaritone 7 · 8⤊ 0⤋
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RE:
What is the difference between southern baptist and methodist?
I had been raised southern baptist and had been going to the same church for years. Then I moved and I decided to go to the methodist church that my inlaws go to. I liked it and felt more involved and happy at the methodist than I had ever in the baptist. I am considering changing my religion.
2015-08-06 08:03:48 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yeah. The Southern Baptists can be a little harsh.
Methodists are a branch of Church of England, which split from the Roman Catholic church in the mid 1500's. So you'll find Methodism similar in some ways to Catholicism. Minus saints and real presense.
A fellow named John Wesley was dissatisfied with the path Church of England was following. So he and some others split from them. His writings and theology are quite good.
The Baptist church came along a couple hundred years later, right here in the US. The original Baptists split into two groups. North and South. Over the issue of slavery.
2006-10-16 07:57:50 · answer #5 · answered by Max Marie, OFS 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Southern Baptists believe that once saved always saved. United Methodists believe that you can fall from grace and will need to repent again.
Southern Baptists don’t believe in infant baptisms.
As far as I know those are the larger differences in belief but I find the United Methodists much more loving in their approach to teaching the Bible, far more open minded, at least at the churches I’ve attended. They don’t seem to put down other denominations the way Southern Baptists do, at least from what I’ve seen.
They don’t seem so judgmental.
I was raised Southern Baptist too and feel much more at home with the Methodists.
2006-10-16 08:04:18 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 6⤊ 0⤋
A lot of the tenets are similar but there are also some differences. I was baptized in the Methodist church after being brought up in the Baptist. Go to Sunday school and find out the differences. Methodists are kind.
2006-10-16 07:50:49 · answer #7 · answered by a_delphic_oracle 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Baptists are Protestants, formed by Calvin. Methodists are an off-shoot of the Anglican Church. Both are Christian, Methodists are just less on the pre-determination part of it. Of course there are United Methodists, African Methodists, Free Methodists, and a couple I am not too sure of.
2006-10-16 07:53:56 · answer #8 · answered by Spirit Walker 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sothern Baptist is a branch of the Baptist congregations of North America. Methodists, as in the Method of worship, are more impressed with the grace of GOD in your lifestyle! Baptists, like John the Baptist, are concerned with the personal experience of salvation!
2006-10-16 08:07:11 · answer #9 · answered by K9 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
they are about the same theologically. baptists consider Wesley (the founder of the methodist church) a great theologian. also one minor difference is that a baptist won't speak to you at a liquor store.
2006-10-16 07:55:48 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋