What do people practice in Methodist churches?

Answer 1

PEOPLE PRAY WITH WORDS. WITHOUT WORDS THERE CAN NOT BE PRAYER. PEOPLE SOMETIMES HOLD SPECIFIC OBJECTS WHILE THEY PRAY, FOR REASONS OF COMFORT MOSTLY. THIS IS POPULAR IN THE CATHOLIC RELIGION. SOME PEOPLE BELIEVE THESE OBJECTS ARE BLESSED AND CONTAIN CERTAIN POWERS. THE TRUTH IS IT WAS THE WORD THAT CAUSED THE BLESSING, AND THE BLESSING OR POWER IS RECEIVED BY FAITH IN THE WORD. IF YOU TRULY HAVE FAITH IN THE WORD THERE IS NO NEED FOR ANY OBJECTS. THERE IS NOT ANYTHING NEEDED FOR ANYONE TO BE ABLE TO TALK TO GOD EXCEPT THE WORD. ANYONE WHO CAN THINK OR SPEAK THE WORD CAN TALK TO GOD. TALKING TO GOD IS WHAT PRAYER IS. THIS BLESSING OF OBJECTS IS DONE TO HELP THOSE WHO DON'T UNDERSTAND THE NEED FOR NOTHING BUT THE WORD, AND TO HELP INCREASE THEIR FAITH. DO NOT MISTAKE ME FOR SAYING THOSE WHO USE OBJECTS ARE NECESSARILY WRONG. WHAT MATTERS MOST IS THE CONDITION OF THE HEART IN THE ONE WHO IS PRAYING. IF YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU ARE READING, THEN YOU HAVE BEEN BLESSED ALREADY, AND THERE WAS NO OBJECT NEEDED. THE WORD IS ALL YOU NEED, AND THE WORD IS GOD. JESUS IS THE WORD THAT BECAME FLESH, BECAUSE MAN DID NOT UNDERSTAND GOD. THIS IS WHY HE CAME AND SHOWED HIS SELF TO MAN. HE SAID THAT HE WAS THE WORD, AND WE WERE MADE IN HIS IMAGE. HE CAME TO SHOW MAN TO HIMSELF, AND TO SHOW GOD TO MAN.

Answer 2

I'm not sure what you mean. I assume that you refer to some aid to prayer such as a rosary (as Roman Catholics use). If so, Methodists do not use such aids. Traditionally Methodists tend not to kneel for prayer but sit with bowed head. Prayer is quiet and reflective, and can be led by a minister, local preacher, lay person, or just corporate prayer within a church or private prayer as individuals. Generally Methodists, as do most Protestant Churches regard prayer as a 2 way communication with God, and is dependent upon ones heart and willingness to be open to God's love and guidance through the Holy Spirit, and, on the whole, therefore regard prayer aids as unnecessary.

Answer 3

The Methodists are probably the most prevalent Protestant denomination in the United States. You can find a local United Methodist Church in all regions of our country including Alaska and Hawaii! Unlike all the other liberal, main-line churches, the Methodists practice both contemporary and traditional styles of worship. Because they are a direct offshoot of the Episcopal Church, and that their founders, John and Charles Wesley, were devout Anglican priests, you will find many Methodist churches being "high church" or formal. They are liturgical in that they follow a scripted service as outlined from their prayerbook. They follow the establish christian seasons of the church like advent, pentecost, lent and Easter among others. They celebrate 2 sacraments, Holy Communion and Baptism. I would say, the majority of Methodist worship services are less formal than the Episcopal or Lutheran Churches. Its interesting that all 3 denominations are in full communion-allowing for shared preaching and the celebration of the Holy Sacraments. Unlike Baptists and fundamentalists, the Methodists strongly believe in entering the sanctuary in a quiet and reverent manner and to pray quietly in anticipation of the impending service. I have been to Baptist services and the Assembly of God churches where the members talk loudly to each other and is very unsettling! You will experience joyfull hymns sungs by talented choirs and members. You will also find all types of churches-from Gothic to Romanesque to Colonial architecture with beautiful stain glass windows, etc... And you will find simple looking churches. The last thing I would say positive about the Methodist Church is that so many of the pastors give outstanding sermons! Unlike the evangelical types, you won't ex-

perience hellfire and broomstone preaching! They get their message across in a thoughtfull, analytical perspective drawing from many areas. If you are looking for diversity of worship styles, the United Methodist Church is quite appealing to many.

Answer 4

People who go to Methodist churches practice many different rituals in following their faith. These include getting baptised which is being submerged in water in order to cleanse your sins. Another practice is communion where participants eat bread and drink juice to symbolize eating Christ's body and drinking his blood.