What are the typical features of a Methodist church?

Answer 1

A Methodist Church in the US looks very much like most Protestant churches, I think. There will be large great room with high ceilings, called the santuary where services are held. In the front of the sanctuary will be a raised platform. In the center will be the altar table, covered with a purple velvet cloth, with a metal cross sitting in the middle and brass candle sticks with white candles on each side. The candles are lit just before a service begins. The altar cloth is usually embroidered with a gold cross and the alpha and omega symbols. Collection plates, stacked up, will sit in front. In Communion Sundays, the Communion necessities will also sit on the altar table.

Usually there is a choir loft , with seats for the choir, sometimes facing the audience and sometime split into two sections, one on each side, sideways to the audience.

There will be communion rail with padded cushions on which to kneel , facing the altar. The organ is usually in the front built into a corner of the choir loft. There will probably be a piano somewhere in the front. The will be a baptismal font near the altar.

There are typically two pulpits, one on each side, closer to the audience than the choir and altar. The left pulpit usually has the large pulpit Bible which sits on a built in stand. Large American and Christian flags hang on poles on either side of the pulpits. The exposed floor in the front and the aisles are usually carpeted. There is usually a sound system with microphone set up at the pulpits .

For seating there are rows of benches known as pews. There is almost always a

central aisle which leads directly from the main door in the back of the church to the altar in front. The arrangement of side aisles varies considerably with the size and shape of the sanctuary.

The backs of the pews have racks for hymnals and often Bibles, usually with red covers nowadays. On the wall in front is typically a round window , known as a rose window and the side windows often have arches at the top . Colored glass is common and some Methodist churches have elaborate stained glass windows depicting Bible scenes.

Behind the sanctuary and separated usually by curtains, is the foyer. ( The curtains

can be opened in the event of an overflow crowd.) The foyer has coat racks and

tables that hold literature and bulletins . Usually there is a guest book that visitors can sign.

Besides the sanctuary, a Methodist usually contains a large reception hall with an adjoining kitchen, restrooms and a number of class rooms for Sunday school.

Answer 2

In a typical modern Baptist church the Pastor is the boss. A large church will have several Pastors but only one will be the main decision maker/preacher/leader. Under the pastor will be the Elders or Deacons of a church. Depending on the church, these men can have a leadership role or just a Pastoral ministry help role. Some churches put deacons over groups of people in the church for accountability and or leadership. Under these two tiers would be the rest of the church staff which is comprised of: Musicians, Music Directors, Choir members, Teachers, janitorial, Private school administration, etc.

Answer 3

Congragational.