Expert: The Rev. William E. Olewiler - 11/27/2004

Question
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Followup To
Question -
What are the main differences between Methodists and Southern Baptists? (I am a Baptist who attended a Southern Baptist university.) I know one is believer's baptism vs infant baptism.
Thank you .
Answer -
Dear Amy:

    United Methodists and Baptists have much in common -- belief in God and Bible, acceptance of Jesus as Christ and savior and divine, observance of Baptism and Communion as the two sacraments. “Our tradition asserts the real, personal, living presence of Jesus Christ. We understand the divine presence in temporal and relational terms. In the Holy Meal of the church, the past, present, and future of the living Christ come together.”
    United Methodists baptize infants, youth, and adults; Baptists baptize only confessing youth and adults. Baptists baptize by immersion; United Methodists use immersion, sprinkling, and pouring. United Methodists have communion open to all; Baptists open the table to baptized church members only. United Methodists have bishops and are governed by districts and Conferences of churches; Baptists have independent congregations, which choose their pastors. United Methodist pastors are sent to congregations by bishops, after consultation with the congregation.

Peace and grace,

Bill Olewiler
United Methodist pastor
Virginia

Rev. Bill,
Thank you for your quick response. Recently, the Holy Spirit has been keeping me restless about issues in our church since this past election. I have experience a spirit of intolerance. I have been seeking whether to stick it out and try to become a bridge builder or whether to try to find a church that shares my families convictions about christianity being more than two issues. I know there are Baptist churches who share our views but they are not near our home and I want my children to have a connection to church and activities.  I have a heart for the poor and those on the fringe of our community and I know God has given me that heart. When he told Peter to "Feed my Sheep" I felt He was talking to all of us. Jim Wallis in his book Faith Works says the first step to ask the questions. I thought that we shared much in common since many of my Christian friends are Methodist and I rarely find a difference in our theology. Does the Methodist church support missionanaries? Do you support local missions or does the mission monies go to a national office or maybe both?

On the Journey,
Amy Witt


Answer
Hi, Amy!

   I don't know enough about Southern Baptists to answer your question well.
   One other general difference is that United Methodist ordain women and have them as Superintendents and Bishops.

Peace and grace,

Bill Olewiler
United Methodist pastor
Virginia