Methodists: Many say your church is comfortable for Catholics, what can you share about this?

Question

I've never been to a Methodist church, and I attend a non-denominational church which I really love and enjoy, but I will be attending a spiritual retreat that is put on by the Methodist church in October. This question in no way has anything to do with that retreat, but so many Methodists say "Oh, I used to be a Catholic - being Methodist is like that only more relaxed."

What's more relaxed about it? What are the main differences and what are some of the similarities?

Answer 1

I find that comparison strange, but perhaps I'm missing something.

I was brought up the son of a Methodist minister, and attended a Methodist seminary for a year. Then I was the cantor for a large Roman Catholic church outside DC for 7 years. So I'll tell you my comparison.

ROMAN CATHOLIC:
Communion is central in every Mass.
The parts of the Mass are pretty much universal within the RC church.
The homilies are usually short.
The sacraments are baptism, confirmation, confession, communion, ordination, marriage, and holy unction.
Priests often wearing fancy vestments. Several altar boys.
Service includes reading 3 passages of scripture.
The Nicene Creed is recited.
Priests (always male) are celibate.

METHODISTS:
The Sermon is central in every Sunday service. Communion is rare (2-to-12 times per year, average 4 times per year.)
The parts of the service vary from congregation to congregation within the church, at the whim of the Minister.
The Sermons are usually 20-30 minutes.
The sacraments are baptism & holy communion.
Ministers usually wear academic robes with a colorful stole. Usually candle lighters who do not do anything else.
Service includes reading 1-to-3 passages of scripture.
The Nicene Creed, Apostles Creed or another creed is recited.
Ministers and Bishops may be married and may be female.

However, in both there are usually a beginning hymn, announcements from the pulpit, a passing of the peace (Methodists stole this from the Catholics), an offertory (Methodists only bring money), a choral anthem, another hymn, a homily/sermon, and a closing hymn.

Oddly, Methodists are, by a twisted case of chicanery, within the line of apostolic succession. John Wesley was an Anglican Priest. Anglican Bishops, who came directly from the RC church, are within the Apostolic Succession. Following the American Revolution, Wesley got a tottering, old Anglican Bishop to ordain him Bishop. He then traveled to America and ordained Francis Asbury and Thomas Coke the first Bishops of the Methodist Church. All further bishops within the Methodist church can therefore trace their ordination back (supposedly) to St. Peter, the first Bishop of Rome.

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