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Methodists/Questions Answered by Expert The Rev. William E. Olewiler
| Subject | Date Asked |
| Methodist Communion | 1/30/2012 |
| Q: Is there a custom in the Methodist Church to lay money on the altar before, during, or after ... A: The Discipline (paragraph 252, 2008 edition) simply calls for nomination and election of a ... | |
| SPRC Formation and function | 1/20/2012 |
| Q: Member of a United Methodist Church. I am researching how the Church Leadership is formed and ... A: The PPRC/SPRC Committee (pastor-parish, staff-parish relations) is the basic tool by which pastor ... | |
| SPRC/ Church Council Authority | 1/12/2012 |
| Q: A recent situation has brought this question to my mind. Does the Staff Parish Relations Committee ... A: All of the fundraising that your young person does outside the church is done under the authority of ... | |
| SPRC/ Church Council Authority | 1/9/2012 |
| Q: A recent situation has brought this question to my mind. Does the Staff Parish Relations Committee ... A: SPRC has jurisdiction over the relationship of appointed staff members to the congregation, and vice ... | |
| S/PPRC Confidentiality | 1/2/2012 |
| Q: Recently a member of our S/PPRC polled the congregation on whether or not the pastor should remain ... A: Confidentiality applies to not sharing what happens in S/PPRC committee meetings. If this member ... | |
| Pulpit placement in the church | 11/16/2011 |
| Q: My husband was raised in the UMC and has been a Pastor for approximately 14 years. He has taken an ... A: The long-standing tradition in churches with divided chancels is that the lection side (where the ... | |
| sin | 11/15/2011 |
| Q: We all know even Christians are not perfect and have struggles. We also know that Sanctification ... A: Yours is a deep question, one that a large book might just begin to explore. I'll try to respond in ... | |
| communion | 11/7/2011 |
| Q: In our church the day of communion the pastor and the communion Stewart give the bread and the wine ... A: Certainly by custom when the pastor takes part in the distribution the pastor goes first with the ... | |
| PPRC chairman election | 10/14/2011 |
| Q: Is the chairman of the PPRC to be elected by the PPRC from within the present committee or to be a ... A: The PPRC chair is elected by the Charge or Church Conference, on nomination by the Committee on ... | |
| Bible Church vs. Methodist | 10/13/2011 |
| Q: A little background: I was raised Catholic until my parents decided to leave the Catholic church as ... A: My prayers are with you as you and your friend work with an interfaith marriage. May God hold you ... | |
| Baptism | 10/9/2011 |
| Q: , I was originally baptized in the Methodist church. Later, my mother made me convert to being ... A: Both United Methodism and Catholicism believe that we are baptized only once, because Baptism ... | |
| Methodist Communion | 10/2/2011 |
| Q: Is there a custom in the Methodist Church to lay money on the altar before, during, or after ... A: In my home church, and in all the United Methodist churches that I served over 25 years, people ... | |
| nominations from the floor at charge conference | 9/19/2011 |
| Q: Can the pastor and/or district superintendant restrict voting in the charge conference to just those ... A: The Book of Discipline, United Methodist Church, 2008, says (in paragraph 249): "The charge ... | |
| Methodist monasticism? | 9/18/2011 |
| Q: Is there any? I'm a newly-minted Methodist, just received from the Episcopal Church. I'm also in ... A: I am a member of The Order of St. Luke, an ecumenical Order rooted in The Methodist Church. You ... | |
| merging churches | 9/16/2011 |
| Q: HOW DOES THE METHODIST CONFERENCE MERGE CHURCHES, and what are the guideline ? A: According to the United Methodist Discipline of 2008, two or more churches may merge "in order to ... | |
| PPRC | 9/12/2011 |
| Q: Does the preacher attend all PPRC meetings? Is he the one that has to call a PPRC meeting? A: The pastor usually attends the PPRC meetings. The chair or the District Superintendent may request ... | |
| UMC hiring practices | 8/28/2011 |
| Q: Can a SPRC,under the guidance of the pastor, deny a woman employment because she is older, has ... A: The Social Creed, Paragraph 162(F) of the 2008 Discipline, says: "We . . . urge that every ... | |
| Ministers Vestments | 8/15/2011 |
| Q: When an ordained methodist minister conducts a formal Sunday service can he/she do so in just casual ... A: United Methodist Clergy wear everything from vestments to suits to casual clothing while leading ... | |
| Methodism and Catholicism | 8/4/2011 |
| Q: I am writing a research paper on the differences and similarities of the Methodist Church as opposed ... A: I can only answer for my own United Methodist Church, and not for the several other churches that ... | |
| congregational voting | 7/12/2011 |
| Q: The church council wants to take a vote from the congregation to consider changing the churches ... A: Paragraphs 147 and 252 of the Discipline state that the quorum for the Charge Conference and for the ... | |
| DECLING INCOME | 7/8/2011 |
| Q: WHAT HAPPEN TO A CHURCH WHEN, THEY CAN'T PAY THEIR PASTOR AND EMPLOYEES EVERY TWO WEEKS, WHO DO THEY ... A: I am sorry to learn of the financial problems at your church. May God's strength and Spirit be with ... | |
| Removal of Chair person | 7/7/2011 |
| Q: Over the last two years, we've had problems with our Pastor. She was the type of person if you did ... A: I'm very sorry for the trouble afflicting your church. As a pastor I have made enough mistakes to ... | |
| Candles in a 7 branch memorial candelabra | 7/6/2011 |
| Q: In the United Methodist Church, does each of the seven candles have a special meaning? A: The answer to your question is no, the UMC assigns no meaning to each candle on a candelabrum. The ... | |
| Contemporary Liturgy | 5/25/2011 |
| Q: I would like a modern contempary Holy Communion liturgy other than the traditional United Methodist ... A: Here, on the General Board of Discipleship website, are a number of alternate Great Thanksgiving ... | |
| Committee meetings | 5/15/2011 |
| Q: Olewiler, The Christian Education Committee in my church has met on two occasions to discuss ... A: Paragraph 340 of the 2008 Discipline outlines the duties of the pastor. Pastors are not required to ... | |
| Mary, mother of Christ | 4/24/2011 |
| Q: Rev. Olewiler, I have a question my children and I are not agreeing with. Mary, mother of Jesus, was ... A: United Methodism, unlike the Catholics, has no official belief about Mary. Most United Methodists ... | |
| sin | 4/23/2011 |
| Q: I love God and I pray everyday, and I go out and spread his word to people in other towns and I ... A: Jesus was asked how often to forgive sin -- 7 times? He answered, 70x7 and then forgive again. So ... | |
| Special Charge Conference | 4/21/2011 |
| Q: We are having a "special charge conference" held at our church in early May. Its my understanding ... A: The Charge Conference holds the power of electing church officers. The DS can make recommendations ... | |
| Making Vows | 4/18/2011 |
| Q: It was recently put into policy at our church, that all those wishing to teach or lead any form of ... A: The United Methodist Church as a whole is not a church that subscribes to one statement of belief. ... | |
| ppr chairman responsibility | 4/18/2011 |
| Q: We recently had a pastor change in the middle of the assignment year and the D.S.asked that I(the ... A: In the absence of an appointed pastor, the District Superintendent, under the Bishop, is responsible ... | |
| Catholic now worshiping at a Methodist Church | 4/4/2011 |
| Q: I was born and raised as a catholic, at 21 I was married in the catholic church, after 9 years I was ... A: I pray for and with you at the pain you have suffered from your marriage, and in joy at your present ... | |
| what does a program ministry diector do | 4/4/2011 |
| Q: I have an interview with a local Methodist church it is a position for a Program Ministry director. ... A: As it happens, my late wife Mary Baugh Olewiler was a Director of Program Ministries in the ... | |
| Help me pls | 3/22/2011 |
| Q: What is the authority in Methodist Religion? A: I see that you are from the United Kingdom. I cannot answer for The Methodist Church in Great ... | |
| Who can sit in on Pastor Parrish Meetings | 3/6/2011 |
| Q: Can someone that is not on the Pastor Parrish Committee sit in on the meeting? I am the Pastor ... A: Your Trustee chair knows that almost all official church meetings are open to anyone interested. ... | |
| What is a Deacon | 2/25/2011 |
| Q: Received an email which states: there will be a Charge Conference to confirm ....... as a Deacon ... A: In The United Methodist Church people are ordained as Elders, or as permanent Deacons. The ... | |
| SPRC Committee | 1/28/2011 |
| Q: We are having a discussion in our church in regard to the nominations for the SPRC committee. Our ... A: It is not the Church Council, but the Charge Conference/Church Conference (District Superintendent ... | |
| Pastor Parish Relations Committee | 1/26/2011 |
| Q: Is it appropriate for the Lay Leader to bring the agenda to the PPR meeting? Is'nt that the task of ... A: This is not covered as such by the Discipline. The chair of any meeting sets the agenda-- in this ... | |
| Pastors at mtgs. | 1/15/2011 |
| Q: Is it mandatory or part of the pastor's duties to attend every committee meeting (ex: Mission comm., ... A: Paragraph 340 of the 2008 Discipline states the duties of the pastor, including being the chief ... | |
| Lay Leadership Meeting | 1/12/2011 |
| Q: I have notified the pastor that I am volunteering for a position on the Board of Trustees. Is it ... A: According to paragraph 721 of the 2008 Discipline, all church meetings except for the Pastor/Staff ... | |
| committee on lay leadership chair | 1/8/2011 |
| Q: I have a 2000 BOD. In Para 258 it states that the Pastor is the chair of this committee and a lay ... A: Paragraph 258.1 of the 2008 Book of Discipline says, "There shall be elected annually, by the charge ... | |
| Christian Education | 12/9/2010 |
| Q: Good Morning! I am writing today with a dilemma that I hope you can help with. Our son is 5 yrs ... A: I answered your question some time back, but AllExperts tells me it never got sent. So: I would ... | |
| UMC ordination | 12/6/2010 |
| Q: Rev. Olewiler, Could you please explain to me what they mean when they refer to the covenants that ... A: At ordination, United Methodist pastors agree to accept the United Methodist Discipline, to follow ... | |
| Children's Council | 11/9/2010 |
| Q: Our church is planning to organize a Children's Council. The Book of Discipline states the ... A: As I read paragraphs 256 and 257 of the 2008 Discipline, the Children's Council is voluntary; a ... | |
| wilful sin | 11/8/2010 |
| Q: I just had a question about the bible and Gods word. If you could help me I would greatly thank you. ... A: I look at the story that Jesus told of a father whose son demanded the inheritance in advance and ... | |
| some more questions about baptists and methodists | 11/7/2010 |
| Q: . glad to find you here in the internet to answer my query... i just recently moved from baptist to ... A: Welcome home to Methodism! Here is a short essay about Baptist and United Methodist belief. ... | |
| The Bible | 11/3/2010 |
| Q: What year was the book we we call the Bible published,and which Church published it? A: The Bible contains the Hebrew scriptures (Old Testament) and the New Testament (Christian ... | |
| offerings | 10/22/2010 |
| Q: Our pastor has asked the church treasurer to get on the pulpit and ask the congregation for ... A: The Committee on Finance of the Church Council and the coordinator of Stewardship, if any, are ... | |
| BIBLES | 10/17/2010 |
| Q: My father was an old fashion fire and brimstone baptist preacher. I am the only survivor in my ... A: I agree that Bibles should be disposed of respectfully. If there is no library or historical society ... | |
| Administrative Board | 8/25/2010 |
| Q: Does the pastor have the sole right to change membership of the administrative board? A: The Administrative Board's official title, by the Discipline, is the Church Council. Paragraph 252 ... | |
| marriage | 8/19/2010 |
| Q: I am Catholic my wife was Baptiste, now has joined the Methodist religion.How does this effect our ... A: I am not clear as to what your question is. If you have been married under state law with a marriage ... | |
| Homosexual Marriages | 8/11/2010 |
| Q: I would like to know what your belief is on homosexual marriages? A: Personally, I believe that homosexual persons are created thus, as part of God's order. They have ... | |
| Electing a new finance chairperson | 8/9/2010 |
| Q: The chairperson of our Finance Committee has been out of the country for a few months now. It is ... A: Paragraph 250 of The United Methodist Discipline pertains to your"Removal of officers and filling of ... | |
| Lay Leader | 7/8/2010 |
| Q: We have a Lay Leader who has held that position for more than 12 years. He is always chewing me out ... A: The Discipline has little to say about your problem, but it certainly sounds as if your Lay Leader ... | |
| church | 6/29/2010 |
| Q: I have been a methodist all my life but now I only go a couple times a year. My wife and I want to ... A: In the course of my work with All Experts, I have composed a couple of essays on what United ... | |
| Stem Cell Research | 6/24/2010 |
| Q: I am curious the UMC'S position on this subject. We, in the Episcopal Church are somewhat ... A: The official statement of The United Methodist Church, found in its statement of Social Principles, ... | |
| Joining the FUMC | 5/11/2010 |
| Q: My husband and I are interested in joining the First United Methodist Church. I grew up as a ... A: Someone who is a full member of another denomination may not become a full member of The United ... | |
| Please help me | 4/11/2010 |
| Q: I have an important question to ask. I am a born again christian and a Methodist. I am in a ... A: It's not a Baptist/United Methodist difference, as I see it. Many UM pastors would agree with your ... | |
| Please help me | 4/9/2010 |
| Q: I have an important question to ask. I am a born again christian and a Methodist. I am in a ... A: First and most important, I'm sorry for the disability that you face. I pray for God's healing ... | |
| methodism | 3/26/2010 |
| Q: 1. Do Methodist pay tithe? 2. Do Methodist obey the ten commandments? 3. Which days of the year is ... A: I meant that the Discipline recommends 10%, but the actual amount is up to each church member. ... | |
| methodism | 3/24/2010 |
| Q: 1. Do Methodist pay tithe? 2. Do Methodist obey the ten commandments? 3. Which days of the year is ... A: I see that you are in the United Kingdom; I cannot speak for the Methodist Church in the UK. As for ... | |
| I dont know any more. | 3/13/2010 |
| Q: I am a college student and i used to be a methodist and i am now a Roman Catholic, i switched a very ... A: United Methodism, along with other Protestants, recognizes only Baptism and Eucharist as sacraments ... | |
| attendance @ PPR meetings | 2/28/2010 |
| Q: Is the Ad Board chair allowed to attend PPR meetings? A: According to Paragraph 258, section (3)of the United Methodist Discipline (2008), "The [PPR] ... | |
| Marriage and Religion | 2/24/2010 |
| Q: My fiance grew up never going to church a single time. I grew up Catholic but have since strayed due ... A: The United Methodist Church encourages its pastors to meet with engaged couples to explore their ... | |
| curiosity About Methodists | 2/22/2010 |
| Q: William E. Olewiler, I am at a stage in my education in which i have to produce a paper on a subject ... A: Don't think I can sit down with your dozens of questions--in fact, one of the reasons for rejecting ... | |
| Bishop Responsibility | 2/20/2010 |
| Q: What is the Bishop's responsibility and response to lay members of a local church who have presented ... A: In The United Methodist Church, it is the bishop who has the sole prerogative of appointment for a ... | |
| Revelation | 2/4/2010 |
| Q: What is the formal teaching of the Methodist denomination on the symbols in Revelation 17 of the ... A: The United Methodist Church has no teaching about Revelation 17; we do not interpret Bible passages ... | |
| Sacrament of Communion | 1/15/2010 |
| Q: Is the Pastor in a United Methodist Church the only person who can serve Communion the said church? A: The precise answer to your question is that only an ordained Elder, or a deacon or lay pastor ... | |
| Dating a Methodist minister | 1/14/2010 |
| Q: I have been dating a United Methodist minister for nearly 2 years. We are both about 60 years old, ... A: Barb: Certainly your hope for greater intimacy is a suitable item for discussion, especially ... | |
| Dating a Methodist minister | 1/14/2010 |
| Q: I have been dating a United Methodist minister for nearly 2 years. We are both about 60 years old, ... A: As a U.M. Pastor who has had his own love affair in my sixties, I can assure you that there is ... | |
| Order & Discipline | 1/12/2010 |
| Q: Where is the Order & Discipline of the United Methodist Church found. I want to read it... ANSWER: ... A: Debra! The only United Methodist Discipline that I have encountered in 26 years of active ... | |
| Order & Discipline | 1/12/2010 |
| Q: Where is the Order & Discipline of the United Methodist Church found. I want to read it... A: Debra! The United Methodist Discpline can be obtained from our publishing house, Cokesbury. ... | |
| General Methodist Questions | 12/14/2009 |
| Q: I am currently going through confirmation classes (in a Catholic Church). I was raised Catholic, but ... A: I don't quite understand the question about confirmation in the UMC. Those who join the church agree ... | |
| re-marriage | 11/16/2009 |
| Q: my boyfriend is has no specific religion and doesn't know if he's ever been baptised. he's ... A: Best wishes for your love, and for your marriage. May it fill all your life with God's love. ... | |
| Membership question | 11/11/2009 |
| Q: Question-if a member of a local UMC was removed from membership (either from Charge Conference ... A: In my own ministry, I would ask the previous church to restore the person and send a transfer. ... | |
| Healing | 11/10/2009 |
| Q: Do Methodist belief in supernatural healing, or just take illnesses as something you have to bear? ... A: There is no official position on healing. We believe that God is present for and with the sick, and ... | |
| Riches | 11/9/2009 |
| Q: My brother recently became a Christian. He is doing well in his studies but we have a disagreement ... A: Most New Testament scholars agree with you, that Jesus was financially very poor. His having to work ... | |
| Chairperson & PPR | 11/8/2009 |
| Q: Does a member of the PPR Committee or Chairperson have to be and active member to be on the board or ... A: By paragraph 258 of The United Methodist Discipline, 2008, "There shall be elected annually by the ... | |
| Catholic vs. Methodist | 11/4/2009 |
| Q: I am a non-practicing Catholic and my husband is a non-practicing Methodist. We are in agreement to ... A: United Methodism has no official creed that states a belief about Mary. However, most United ... | |
| transfer of orders from another methodist traditon | 10/28/2009 |
| Q: Grace and peace to you in the name of our Lord and Savior. Please forgive the length, but I seeking ... A: Your question is about a depth level of the Discipline that is beyond my expertise. I would not dare ... | |
| funiture | 10/24/2009 |
| Q: Is there a right way and a wrong way for the furniture to be placed in the church or is it left up ... A: As it happens, placement of furniture in the worship space depends on tradition, both of the general ... | |
| female ministers | 9/7/2009 |
| Q: How does the unite methodist church justify female ministers and use the Bible to back up their ... A: The United Methodist Church looks to the first book of the Bible, to Jesus, and to St. Paul for its ... | |
| catholic-methodist baptism? | 6/1/2009 |
| Q: My husband is methodist and I am catholic. We got married in the methodist church. If we get our ... A: United Methodists and Catholics agree that baptism is into the overall church of Jesus Christ, not ... | |
| Church Leader | 5/25/2009 |
| Q: Our church has a member who has lead in many ways. Lay Leader, Chair of Church Council, Delegate to ... A: For guidance, I turn to how pastors are treated when under major accusations. Usually, the DS will ... | |
| Methodist receiving communion at a Catholic Church | 5/24/2009 |
| Q: I am a confirmed Methodist,and married into a Catholic family. From day one I was told since I am a ... A: In my 25+ years of pastoring in Virginia, I had several mixed faith couples/families. They would ... | |
| Methodist receiving communion at a Catholic Church | 5/24/2009 |
| Q: I am a confirmed Methodist,and married into a Catholic family. From day one I was told since I am a ... A: Officially, by its own doctrine,the Catholic Church admits to the Lord's Table only those who are ... | |
| Tithing followup question | 4/7/2009 |
| Q: What about Par. 629 in The Book of Discipline, pertaining to the Conference Board of Discipleship, ... A: You are quite right, although the paragraph number is 630 in the 2008 Book of Discipline. I had ... | |
| tithing | 4/6/2009 |
| Q: I was wondering about the subject of "tithing". What is the Methodist Church views on it? A: United Methodism does not accept the Old Testament custom of tithing as a commandment for ... | |
| Gender Discrimination | 4/2/2009 |
| Q: Olewiler I had a a question about a recent incident that occurred in my conference that I found to ... A: First, I don't know enough about gender discrimination law and its application to church government ... | |
| Board of Trustees | 3/26/2009 |
| Q: Recently a member of the Trustees passed away. The chairman appointed an interested party to replace ... A: In the United Methodist Discipline, paragraph 2525, we learn that trustees are elected by the Charge ... | |
| Methodist SPRC Committee Question | 3/24/2009 |
| Q: Can the chairperson of the Staff Parish Relations Committee vote? If the matter has to do with ... A: As I read the Discipline, the chair of SPRC is a member with vote in all matters, including advice ... | |
| Pastor, SPRC, Lay Leadership Committee | 3/13/2009 |
| Q: On 12/19/08 Wayne Tucker said, "Since the Pastor chairs the Lay Leadership Committee, the members of ... A: The chair of any committee has a strong influence on the deliberations of that committee. Pastors ... | |
| Sunday School | 3/9/2009 |
| Q: My husband was raised catholic and attend Sunday school as a child and no longer practices the ... A: Since I know nothing about Catholic Sunday School materials, I can only answer your question ... | |
| Pastoral Authority/SPRC/Church Council | 1/25/2009 |
| Q: For almost 63 years I have been a Methodist and for 39 years a member of our local FUMC. Our ... A: First, prayers for your congregation, with empathy and concern for the situation they are in. My own ... | |
| SPR - Pastor Involvement in Staff Evaluations | 1/11/2009 |
| Q: At the last SPR meeting, our pastor mentioned that he would like to attend upcoming staff evaluation ... A: I've never served a church large enough to have staff evaluation meetings. However, the pastor ... | |
| hospital chaplain | 12/5/2008 |
| Q: I am currently doing the candidacy guide book and am also a UMC local church pastor (3yrs) finishing ... A: Indeed, I am not the "expert" you need with these disciplinary questions affecting the work of the ... | |
| appointment of volunteer positions | 11/17/2008 |
| Q: Who is responsible for selecting a volunteer music leader when there are two choir members ... A: A disagreement with the pastor comes under the umbrella of the Pastor/Staff Parish Relations ... | |
| appointment of volunteer positions | 11/16/2008 |
| Q: Who is responsible for selecting a volunteer music leader when there are two choir members ... A: In the United Methodist Church, the Lay Leadership Committee selects the volunteer/unpaid officers ... | |
| methodist vs catholic. | 11/12/2008 |
| Q: My husband and I are catholic. We do not have a church we attend currently. I in truth before my ... A: You would be more than welcome to attend the Methodist church -- In one of my churches I had a ... | |
| Catholicism & United Methodism | 11/10/2008 |
| Q: Rev. Olewiler, I have read with great interest the various postings (questions and answers) that ... A: I am very happy that you have found a faith filled and joyous place in your spiritual jouney. Thank ... | |
| methodism | 11/7/2008 |
| Q: what sets methodists aside from other Christian religions. -what is your view of God -who is Jesus ... A: United Methodists and Baptists have much in common -- belief in God and Bible, acceptance of Jesus ... | |
| baptism | 10/31/2008 |
| Q: My pastor is teaching a class on baptism. He refers to baptism as "an initiation into the church". ... A: "Initiate" has the idea of "beginning" as its basic meaning. This is ok, I suppose, for baptism -- ... | |
| Ministers moving from church to church.... | 9/16/2008 |
| Q: Why does the UMC move ministers from one church to another? Is the church afraid of losing members ... A: Our custom of moving pastors comes from our early history, when Methodism was a movement within the ... | |
| Christ's earthly reign when He returns. | 9/14/2008 |
| Q: What is Methodist position on the 1000 year reign of Christ (Rev 20) when He and His Christian ... A: United Methodism has no official position on the question of the millenial rule. Church members have ... | |
| Hell | 9/13/2008 |
| Q: Our church, United Methodist, are becoming divided on the issue of Hell...some believe that no one ... A: For me, hell is separation from God, a separation that we choose when we worship ourselves, power, ... | |
| Tithing and First Fruits | 9/8/2008 |
| Q: My wife and I are moving toward tithing. We will be able to give 10% of our gross income. We have ... A: Your move towards tithing is a worshipful use of your income. What you have been told does indeed ... | |
| annullment | 9/1/2008 |
| Q: My husband and I were married 3yrs ago, by the pastor of a nearby methodist church- not in the ... A: First, I mourn with you at the pain and disappointment of your marriage. You indeed have a difficult ... | |
| flowers and banners in sanctuary | 8/28/2008 |
| Q: Must flowers in the sanctuary be real? What can banners in the sanctuary be made of? A: You will often find folks who prefer real flowers, perhaps because the presence of growing, living ... | |
| Followup | 8/26/2008 |
| Q: Rev. Olewiler, St. James is a United Methodist Church in the Arkansas Conference. My understanding ... A: To say that you feel blindsided is indeed an understatement! If the DS officially informed the PPR ... | |
| Catholics/Methodist's | 8/25/2008 |
| Q: My boyfriend is Catholic while I have always been a United Methodist. One of the only issues that we ... A: United Methodism shares with Catholicism the basics of Christianity. We believe in the one God who ... | |
| Sunday or Saturday | 5/19/2008 |
| Q: I attend St. Paul United Methodist Church, and my sister converted to being a Seventh day adventist. ... A: The Sabbath as celebrated by the Jews, of whom Jesus was one, is the Seventh Day, as Genesis says ... | |
| Jokes | 5/16/2008 |
| Q: Many people like to make jokes that have to do with religion, here is an example: There was once a ... A: A.J.! I see God as having a very broad sense of humor! That joke is "mere fun" in your words; ... | |
| UMYF | 4/4/2008 |
| Q: Olewiler, My wife and I lead our church's UMYF. Recently, two members of our group who had been ... A: A "meeting of both families" would be an Intervention, to be done only with through training by ... | |
| Please elaborate on one of your answers | 4/1/2008 |
| Q: " Answer Dear Emily: Communion, the Lord's Supper, the Eucharist, is one of the two sacraments ... A: United Methodist communion customs descend from a time in the 1700s and 1800s when there were too ... | |
| Biblical canon | 3/13/2008 |
| Q: Good day! How did it come about that the books of the Bible, especially of the New Testament, are ... A: The Jewish leaders of Jesus' time adopted the books that we now recognize around 90 a.d. The church ... | |
| missions | 3/6/2008 |
| Q: hi what are some missions in the methodist church you can tell me about in the bahamas? A: Here are some of the mission activities listed at our United Methodist Web site, www.umc.org United ... | |
| Call to Ministry | 2/15/2008 |
| Q: Rev. Olewiler I am a new member of the UMC, having left the Catholic Church quite a few years ago ... A: I answered your question several days ago -- the AllExperts system says you didn't get the answer. ... | |
| Difference between Catholic & Methodist? | 1/27/2008 |
| Q: I was born into the catholic religion. I was baptized and made communion, but I do not have ... A: Confirmation in United Methodism is usually for youth as they consider full membership in the ... | |
| kingdom of God | 1/23/2008 |
| Q: What is the nature of the kingdom of God? A: The Kingdom, Reign, Rule of God refers to people living according to God's wish for humanity. That ... | |
| Communion | 11/10/2007 |
| Q: I am considering attending a Methodist service because I would like to learn more. For a Methodist, ... A: In The United Methodist Church, the Lord's Supper/Eucharist/Communion is one of the two sacraments, ... | |
| homosexuality | 11/7/2007 |
| Q: as a southern baptist I am conservative on the issue of Homosexuality. I believe (as the UMC does i ... A: The official position of the United Methodist Church is set by our General Conference, clergy and ... | |
| communion | 11/7/2007 |
| Q: What does the UMC believe concerning the lords supper? Is it the same as the Roman Catholic church? ... A: As a descendant of the Anglican and German Pietist traditions, we recognize Baptism and the ... | |
| salvation | 11/5/2007 |
| Q: Do Methodists believe in salvation by grace through faith alone? In what ways are Methodists ... A: In fact, Paul (as in the last chapter of Romans) affirms the women whom he salutes as fellow leaders ... | |
| salvation | 11/2/2007 |
| Q: Do Methodists believe in salvation by grace through faith alone? In what ways are Methodists ... A: Josh! Yes, United Methodists/Wesleyans believe in salvaton by grace through faith. Glad that you ... | |
| woman ministry | 11/1/2007 |
| Q: can a woman preach and pastor a church A: The United Methodist Church, through its predecessor Methodist Church, has recognized women as fully ... | |
| exchanging vows | 10/24/2007 |
| Q: "Hello, I have a question for you on marriage. I know a couple who is not legally married, nor have ... A: Sorry that you did not receive my first answer, sent on the 24th. Marriage requires exchange of ... | |
| weddings | 10/24/2007 |
| Q: "Hi, I have a question for you on marriage. I know a couple who is not legally married, nor have ... A: What is needful for marriage in God's eyes is a couple exchanging vows to one another in God's ... | |
| Church | 9/18/2007 |
| Q: I was baptized at a neighborhood Methodist church when I was 11. I wanted to be baptized because my ... A: As you well recall, there was a time when hugs and welcoming touches were thought to be essential to ... | |
| Holy Scriptures | 9/4/2007 |
| Q: Why does the United Methodist Church stop short of professing the "Verbal Plenary Inspiration" and ... A: C.: The United Methodist Church does not profess "Verbal Plenary Inspiration" and "Inerrancy" ... | |
| Methodist beliefs on the rosary | 9/3/2007 |
| Q: While I was looking up some information on the topic of Rosary, I came across a statement in ... A: United Methodism has no official use of the Rosary, nor do we have a Rosary prayer. The Wikepedia ... | |
| Public Perceptions of a Rev. | 9/1/2007 |
| Q: Rev. Olewiler, I have had many negative dealings with a seemingly gay Rev. on a "Cruise" forum. ... A: Your perception of a judgemental, rude person is about what mine would be. Unhappily, ordination ... | |
| Baptism in the Methodist church and the Baptist church | 8/31/2007 |
| Q: My wife was raised in the Baptist church and she tells me they firmly believe that you are baptized ... A: United Methodists follow the discipline of one baptism per lifetime -- we do not rebaptize an adult ... | |
| Baptism in the Methodist church and the Baptist church | 8/30/2007 |
| Q: My wife was raised in the Baptist church and she tells me they firmly believe that you are baptized ... A: The Bible does not have a story of children being baptized. It is the Book of the Jewish people, for ... | |
| Baptism in the Methodist church and the Baptist church | 8/30/2007 |
| Q: My wife was raised in the Baptist church and she tells me they firmly believe that you are baptized ... A: I agree that the Bible's stories of baptism are about adults who accept the Faith and are immersed. ... | |
| ORDINATION | 8/29/2007 |
| Q: WOULD A MINISTER TRAINED AND ORDAINED BY A LUTHERN ENTITY BE ABLE TO PRACTICE IN A METHODIST CHURCH? ... A: The United Methodist Church is not a creedal church -- we have the Apostles' and Nicene creeds in ... | |
| organized religion | 8/28/2007 |
| Q: I feel that I should give you a brief run down about me. I was raised in no church. The only ... A: First, my prayers and sympathy for you at the pain you have suffered, both in your marriage and in ... | |
| baptism | 8/27/2007 |
| Q: I am shortly to be baptized in the methodist church in the uk and just wanted to ask your view on ... A: I am,of course, a pastor in the United Methodist Church, a different denomination from the UK ... | |
| Choosing where to go. | 7/24/2007 |
| Q: I was just wondering, before I choose a church to start attending, what should I know about ... A: Chad! When referring to churches in general, I wouldn't capitalize the word. But as part of a ... | |
| annulment in Methodist Church | 7/4/2007 |
| Q: I was reading about Methodist Church, and I am very concern about, my situation is that I am ... A: The United Methodist Church respects civil law on the matter of marriage and divorce. Pastors are ... | |
| Revelation Past or Future | 6/29/2007 |
| Q: What is the Methodist view of the book of revelation? Is it apocalyptic in nature or more like the ... A: The United Methodist Church has no Biblical teaching office as such, and so we have no official view ... | |
| Conflict in the church | 6/25/2007 |
| Q: Olewiler, I am writing about conflict in the church. There are three women in my church who do not ... A: Since I know very little about the history and dynamics of your church, I don't think I can give any ... | |
| Women as pastors? | 6/19/2007 |
| Q: I read remarks by Rev. William E. Olewiler about women as pastors. He said that Paul "was ... A: Biblical inerrancy is not a United Methodist teaching; our members run from that position all the ... | |
| Converting to the Methodist Church | 6/13/2007 |
| Q: I was raised, baptized and confirmed in the Catholic church. However, I have not attended mass in ... A: Welcome to The United Methodist Church. I'm glad that we have become a welcoming congregation for ... | |
| conversion | 5/23/2007 |
| Q: My husband and I were both raised Catholic but we both found a lot of hypocrisy in Catholicism. We ... A: I'm on vacation in Florida -- Orlando and Jacksonville, and I forgot to remove my name from the ... | |
| 18 year old with very racial tones | 5/9/2007 |
| Q: there is a boy who was involved in the boy scout troop sponsored by a methodist church and a member ... A: I am always impressed when people give of themselves so sacrificingly. I wonder what help the ... | |
| Confirmation Test | 4/28/2007 |
| Q: What Was The Holy Club? Who Were The Circuit Riders? Where Did The Name Protestant Come From? What ... A: John and Charles Wesley were Anglican clergy who lived through much of the 1700s. When they were in ... | |
| Women Ministers | 4/24/2007 |
| Q: Can to tell me why some churches allow women to be ministers and some don't and can you explain to ... A: Many churches, including United Methodism with women in seminary, women pastors, women ... | |
| becoming a minister | 4/17/2007 |
| Q: how/where would i find a seminary school? i have a bachelor of arts degree in psychology, but i feel ... A: United Methodist seminaries are listed at http://www.gbhem.org/gbhem/seminaries.html I'm sure ... | |
| language | 4/12/2007 |
| Q: Was the Bible originally written in Greek or Latin? Either way, since no one currently fluently ... A: The Old Testament was written in Hebrew, except for two short portions (a few chapters) in Aramaic, ... | |
| baptism | 3/31/2007 |
| Q: One of my daughters was not baptized as an infant. She is now 6. What can I do to have her baptized ... A: United Methodism baptizes infants, children, youth, and adults. We see baptism as a sign of God's ... | |
| tithing | 3/24/2007 |
| Q: I am a mbr of a umc congregation. I am in a pickle. I do not believe that tithing is Biblical but ... A: As you have noted, the UMC does not require tithing. We usually see the tithe (10% of income) as a ... | |
| The Lord's Supper | 3/18/2007 |
| Q: How aften is the Lord's supper celebrated in the Methodist Church? I an Roman Catholic and we break ... A: Jill! Since United Methodism began as a group of Methodist societies with only a few ordained ... | |
| What to wear to church | 3/12/2007 |
| Q: Do you believe there should be dress down Sundays in Church? I am 54 years old and I wear a coat and ... A: I'm with you in how we were brought up -- I'm 61 as well as being the pastor. I wear coat and tie to ... | |
| raised baptist | 3/10/2007 |
| Q: I was raised baptist and my husband raised methodist. I am seriously considering joining the ... A: We don't have a basic "plan of salvation" prayer. Candidates for membership confess their belief in ... | |
| Women ministers | 2/23/2007 |
| Q: I believe it is true God made man and woman equal. But when Eve ate the forbidden fruit, didn't God ... A: Genesis 3 is one of two creation stories. In the first, men and women are made equally in God's ... | |
| coverting | 2/23/2007 |
| Q: I was born and raised catholic strictly, however my husband was born protestant we were married ... A: United Methodism shares with Catholicism the basics of Christianity. We believe in the one God who ... | |
| CONVERTING TO BE A METHODIST | 2/21/2007 |
| Q: I HAVE A COUPLE SO HERE THEY ARE. 1. MY DAUGHTER AND I WERE BOTH BAPTIZED CATHOLIC BUT I GET NOTHING ... A: United Methodism is a Christian denomination; we baptize with water in the name of the Trinity, and ... | |
| Problem with co-leader | 2/16/2007 |
| Q: My wife and I recently started a UMYF at our church. We have three youth age children in the group. ... A: Having someone who seems to be a teen-age take over youth group leadership is indeed dangerous. ... | |
| How to convert to be a Methodist? | 1/22/2007 |
| Q: I was raised Methodist and my husband was born into a Catholic family. We are looking into choosing ... A: The United Methodist Church recognizes all baptisms as being into the universal Church of Jesus ... | |
| love | 12/16/2006 |
| Q: I've been asking about love; the Bible tells us to love God, our enemies and ourselves. How can we ... A: Marc! You're right; it is hard to love one we do not know. Perhaps one clue is in the Gospel ... | |
| Methodists only have 2 Sacraments | 12/11/2006 |
| Q: I was raised as a Catholic but have many views that are quit different from the traditional ... A: As a descendant of the Anglican and German Pietist traditions, we recognize Baptism and the ... | |
| differences | 12/10/2006 |
| Q: What is the difference between Methodist and Trinity or are they the same? Just wondering because I ... A: United Methodist is the name of a denomination, followers of John Wesley, an English priest whose ... | |
| Faith | 12/1/2006 |
| Q: but I need a little clarification. Are you saying that methodists believe that salvation is by faith ... A: Perhaps the letter of James in the N.T. outlines our basic stand -- Faith makes a difference in how ... | |
| Faith | 11/30/2006 |
| Q: I just cannot understand the concept of Faith Alone. I guess my question has three parts: 1. What is ... A: The United Methodist Church does not emphasize salvation by faith alone. Our Catholic/Anglican ... | |
| will everyone experience death | 11/20/2006 |
| Q: Will all human beings experience death? What about the generations that are alive at the time of the ... A: Since the risen Christ promised to be with us until the end of the age, I consider his coming to be ... | |
| On becoming a Christian | 10/28/2006 |
| Q: How does one become a Christian? Is it by faith alone, as Lutherans teach? or praying the sinner's ... A: As I see it, one becomes a Christian by being a follower of Jesus Christ. This means accepting the ... | |
| what's the difference between lutherns and methodists? | 10/28/2006 |
| Q: I wanted to know what the difference was between Lutherans and Methodists, because in confirmation ... A: I'm not familiar enough the Lutheran church to give an "expert" answer -- we have different ... | |
| Women as ministers and church doctrine | 10/20/2006 |
| Q: If we are not to ordain homosexuals, then why did we reinstate the lesbian Methodist minister that ... A: The Pennsylvania woman in question was reinstated when a jurisdictional court felt that procedures ... | |
| Women as ministers and church doctrine | 10/19/2006 |
| Q: My husband and I recently completed some Christian counselling. For some very specific reasons, we ... A: The United Methodist Church welcomes women as pastors, district superintendents, deacons, bishops. ... | |
| 10/8/2006 | |
| Q: Dont worry Im not trying to get into an argument...discussion yes. Heres my perspective...Dont ... A: I center on John (God sent a Son not to condemn, but to save the world) and Paul (God's will is that ... | |
| the cross | 10/6/2006 |
| Q: why is there no figure of Jesus displayed on the crucifix in the methodist church? A: The custom of having a bare cross, with no corpus of Jesus, is a general Protestant custom dating ... | |
| How can my fiancee obtain an annulment | 9/30/2006 |
| Q: My fiancee got married in the united methodist church, he got divorce around 10 years ago, and he ... A: Annulment, a statement that a marriage was never a sacrament in the eyes of God, is done in the ... | |
| Holy Communion | 9/29/2006 |
| Q: What exactly is Holy Communion and what role does it play in the church? Also do you have to be a ... A: Holy Communion is the sharing of bread and wine (or grape juice in some churches) by Christians. It ... | |
| the methodist protestant church | 9/26/2006 |
| Q: i read the question about the methodist protestant church and your answer that it does not exist, ... A: Looking at the history there, I see this: "In 1939, a majority of the Methodist Protestant Churches ... | |
| Sprinkling | 9/25/2006 |
| Q: Why do Methodists sprinkle ? A: "Sprinkling" is one of the three methods of baptism used by United Methodist churches. We also pour ... | |
| Methodist Protestant Deacons/Elders | 9/23/2006 |
| Q: Can you please describe the position of Deacon and Elder in the Methodist Protestant Church, ... A: Noel! First, a technical quibble -- The Methodist Protestant Church has not existed since 1939, ... | |
| doctrine | 9/18/2006 |
| Q: What is the basic doctrine or belief of the Methodist Reglion? A: Here are two short articles I wrote comparing United Methodism with the Baptists and the Catholics. ... | |
| Ministers | 9/12/2006 |
| Q: Would you say that there is a decline of people becoming ministers? A: I can speak only for my own United Methodist denomination, where the answer is that there is no ... | |
| Jesus Christ | 9/10/2006 |
| Q: I strongly believe in God! However, I have never felt in my heart that Jesus Christ is the Son of ... A: Billy! I respect your search for God, and your honesty. What do you believe is meant by ... | |
| DIFFERENCES | 9/6/2006 |
| Q: WHAT IS THE DIFFERNCE BETWEEN METHODIST BELIEFS AND ROMAN CATHOLICS BELIEFS. I'M CATHOLIC, BUT WOULD ... A: We are all baptized Christians, members of the universal church of Jesus Christ. United ... | |
| Baptist Religion Compared to Methodist | 9/5/2006 |
| Q: I read a question and the answer on your site but you had written that there were other differences ... A: Here is my basic short essay on U.M. and Baptist differences. Can't bring to mind any other basics. ... | |
| fornication today | 9/3/2006 |
| Q: According to your knowledge and beliefs what is your stance about fornication today? Do you still ... A: Let's be sure we have a definition for "fornication." I think that this refers to sexual intercourse ... | |
| joining the methodist church | 8/30/2006 |
| Q: My husband and I are not currently members of any church. He was dedicated in the Baptist faith as ... A: I rejoice with you that your family is drawing nearer to the church and to growth in the Spirit! ... | |
| Minister | 8/28/2006 |
| Q: Why did you become a minister? How did you become a minister? Do you have to college? A: Wes! (Are you named after our founder, John Wesley?). I became an ordained minister as part of a ... | |
| Finding a church home | 8/7/2006 |
| Q: Do you have to be baptized in the Methodist church to be a member and follower...since I have ... A: The United Methodist Church recognizes all baptisms in the name of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. ... | |
| Finding a church home | 8/7/2006 |
| Q: My husband and I are trying to find a church home. He was raised strict Baptist I was raised ... A: The official stance of United Methodism is that homosexual practice is contrary to Christian ... | |
| Cain and Abel | 8/4/2006 |
| Q: Why are Cain and Abel not listed in the geneologys of Genesis 5:3 and 1 Chronicles 1:1? Also, when ... A: The geneology of Genesis 5:3 is intended to take us to Noah, and so only the men who were Noah's ... | |
| methodist faith | 6/23/2006 |
| Q: can you tell me what is differant about the united methodist and the methodist protestant church? i ... A: I don't quite understand what denomination you may have observed, for The Methodist Protestant ... | |
| methodist relion | 6/13/2006 |
| Q: I wish to become a minister of the methodist faith. It has become my main goal. but I would like to ... A: To begin the process of working towards ordination in The United Methodist Church, you must have ... | |
| is there really a big difference? | 6/9/2006 |
| Q: i go to a pentacostal church and, of course, it's a christian church, but what does it really ... A: Arianna! As St. Paul points out, the Spirit gives different gifts to different people, all for ... | |
| Eucharist | 6/7/2006 |
| Q: Rev. Olewiler, What do Methodists believe the Eucharist is? I know in the Catholic Church they ... A: United Methodism believes that Christ is fully present in the sharing of the bread and the cup ... | |
| pastoral leadership differences | 6/4/2006 |
| Q: How is the theological training different between deacon and elder? Are there differences in what ... A: Elders lead churches in worship, preaching, and general oversight. They become what we usually call ... | |
| Leadership | 5/24/2006 |
| Q: Our grandson attends a Methodist school. When the new pastor arrived, he tried to close down the ... A: The pastor's immediate superior, who oversees his ministry directly, is the District Superintendent, ... | |
| Being called Reverend | 5/19/2006 |
| Q: I am a member of the Church of Christ and I pray that my question does not offend you, but I am ... A: Hassan! Not offended at all; it is a good question. This is a custom among Christian ... | |
| when? | 5/16/2006 |
| Q: My sister died in 1997 but her brain died before her body as she was on a life support when did she ... A: The answer to your question, I believe, is known only to God. I tend to think that the death of a ... | |
| the difference between methodist and baptist religions? | 5/8/2006 |
| Q: I'd like to know what are the differences between these two faiths. I know they're both Christian, ... A: Neither Baptists nor United Methodists confess formally to a pastor/priest, although we have prayers ... | |
| Life mission | 4/3/2006 |
| Q: I am saved for about 10 years now & love to spread the word. But now I'm thinking about what to do ... A: Greg! May God work in and through your life with the presence of the Spirit. I remember ... | |
| choosing a religon | 3/24/2006 |
| Q: I was raised Catholic in my childhood and found the religon uncomfortable. Now I have a family of ... A: Laurie! Best I can say is that most faiths range from high church to ultra laid back within ... | |
| I know that John Wesley believed... | 2/24/2006 |
| Q: I know that John Wesley believed that all sickness was caused by demons, as do modern Pentecostals. ... A: United Methodism follows medical science in its explanation and diagnosis of disease. Mr. Wesley ... | |
| Christ | 11/5/2005 |
| Q: What are Methodist ? give me thier believe and what is the nature of Christ ? What was God doing ... A: Here is a short description of United Methodism compared with Baptists: United Methodists and ... | |
| 1 Timothy | 9/29/2005 |
| Q: Some friends and myself had a discussion concerning whether a woman should or shouldn't be a pastor ... A: The United Methodist Church has women as pastors, district superintendents, and bishops. We begin ... | |
| Appearances | 8/28/2005 |
| Q: I wondered if the Protestant churches such as United Methodist have people who have had appearances ... A: Yes, United Methodists and other Protestants have had experiences of the presence of Christ. Since ... | |
| Differences in Methodist churches? | 8/24/2005 |
| Q: I am trying to find a church home here in my town and would like some information. I notice there ... A: The phone book often lists United Methodist churches under several different headings. What used to ... | |
| Beliefs of Methodists | 8/16/2005 |
| Q: William and Rev. Bill, Thank you for the reply. It has increased my understanding of the issues ... A: Daniel! St. Paul has the best guidance -- we test all supposed revelations by comparing them ... | |
| Beliefs of Methodists | 8/15/2005 |
| Q: William, I am a 23 year old Methodist living in Malaysia and I have a few question. I have tried to ... A: United Methodism follows Paul's general idea that we are followers of Jesus Christ, not Jews. When ... | |
| Converting | 8/14/2005 |
| Q: I have some questions about the Methodist religion. I am a former Catholic converting to a ... A: Nicolette! Thanks for your interest in United Methodism, and for your questions. I'll respond to ... | |
| question | 6/24/2005 |
| Q: http://www.maitreya.org/english/Satsangs%201999+/satsang_2001.htm A: Let me refer you to Acts 1:7 where the risen Christ points out that only God the Father knows the ... | |
| beginning | 6/18/2005 |
| Q: Rev. Olewiler Could you help me understand when the 4 gospels and the rest of the beeks in our ... A: The Old Testament books were accepted as canon by a group of rabbis who met in Palestine around 80 ... | |
| Wedding Reading and Prayer | 5/31/2005 |
| Q: I am getting married in August and ould like to have my mother do a reading as part of the ceremony. ... A: Sarah! I congratulate you on your upcoming wedding. May God's love ever dwell in the love that ... | |
| I am 26 years old, married,... | 5/25/2005 |
| Q: I am 26 years old, married, no children, and up until now, Catholic. I recently have questioned some ... A: United Methodism shares with Catholicism the basics of Christianity. We believe in the one God who ... | |
| Tithing | 5/23/2005 |
| Q: Are Methodists required to tithe, i.e. giving 10% of income to the Church? What is the Methodist ... A: The United Methodist Church does not require tithing, the giving of 10% of income to the church. We ... | |
| biblical inquiry | 5/10/2005 |
| Q: Greetings in Jesus' name! I have a single male friend who met a lady in the internet; the girl is ... A: The Torah, the books of Moses, allowed divorce and remarriage. Jesus said that divorce and ... | |
| Abortion | 4/12/2005 |
| Q: I am a cradle-Methodist and have begun to become disoriented with all the wishy-washy morals and ... A: I rejoice that the UMC has worked wonderfully in developing your faith. Yours is one of many stands ... | |
| wedding | 4/8/2005 |
| Q: Rev Olewiler, I have posted this question to four different experts on the "Islam" panel, and to ... A: I appreciate your thoughtfulness and caring about your friend. I wonder if you have had any inkling ... | |
| One Church | 3/14/2005 |
| Q: Do you think it is time for there to be just one Church instead of all the denominations we have at ... A: Actually, one can argue that there now is one Church. United Methodists join with many others in ... | |
| Methodist's and Communion | 3/2/2005 |
| Q: How does attending Communion make a difference to a Methodist? A: Communion, the Lord's Supper, the Eucharist, is one of the two sacraments that United Methodism ... | |
| Blood Transfusion | 2/8/2005 |
| Q: This is again Yilmaz Yildiz, asking about blood transfusion. First of all, I am extremely pleased to ... A: 1. Generally, the major denominations and divisions of Christianity (e.g.: Anglican/Episcopalian, ... | |
| What happened to those who... | 1/27/2005 |
| Q: What happened to those who have lived since Jesus' birth but have never been presented the ... A: As you know, Christians have different responses to your question. Some would insist that all who do ... | |
| The nature of Sin | 1/20/2005 |
| Q: I am currently working on a personal project about the nature of Sin. I am the artist and co-author ... A: For me, as a Christian, sin is the human state of separation from God's complete will. We center on ... | |
| Moses | 1/20/2005 |
| Q: Exodus Chapter 4:24-26 At a lodging place on the way, the Lord met Moses, and was about to kill him. ... A: The best answer to this question about God wanting to kill Moses is, "I don't know"! Most ... | |
| Difference between being a methodist and a catholic | 12/22/2004 |
| Q: I'm curios what the basic differences are between being a catholic and a methodist? Thanks, ... A: United Methodism shares with Catholicism the basics of Christianity. We believe in the one God who ... | |
| Halloween | 12/12/2004 |
| Q: I am a Methodist. My daughter has become a Baptist. Suddenly according to my daughter,my wife and I ... A: Halloween literally means, "All Hallow's Even," the evening of All Saints Day (All Hallows = All ... | |
| Difference between Baptist and methodists | 11/27/2004 |
| Q: What are the main differences between Methodists and Southern Baptists? (I am a Baptist who attended ... A: Amy! I don't know enough about Southern Baptists to answer your question well. One other ... | |
| Difference between Baptist and methodists | 11/27/2004 |
| Q: What are the main differences between Methodists and Southern Baptists? (I am a Baptist who attended ... A: United Methodists and Baptists have much in common -- belief in God and Bible, acceptance of Jesus ... | |
| Baptisms/Christenings | 10/29/2004 |
| Q: Sir, My wife and I are expecting a baby boy in late January of 2005. We also live overseas. Before ... A: As a United Methodist pastor, I see baptism as do most pastors of the major denominations (United ... | |
| premarital sex | 10/26/2004 |
| Q: I had sex with my girlfriend who i love and care about, now she feels guilt because we had sex and ... A: I believe that the basic question is of your relationship and of your mutual respect. If your love ... | |
| future of Methodism | 10/22/2004 |
| Q: Why would some say that Methodism is loosing its effectivenes in ministry? A: Several indicators seem to show a lessening effectiveness for the U. M. Church. General ... | |
| church offices | 9/6/2004 |
| Q: I would like to know more about the church offices in the Methodist Church. I know of some ... A: In The United Methodist Church we have ordained elders and deacons. Elders lead worship, preach, and ... | |
| Sad, sad, sad! | 8/13/2004 |
| Q: I am a 25-year-old who sometimes wonders why we all continue to go through the motions. Let me ... A: First, I pray for you. May God's healing and holy Spirit hold you in comforting love. May God's ... | |
| What did the bible say Jesus look like? | 7/24/2004 |
| Q: What was Jesus's hair,eye skin described in the bible ? A: The New Testament does not describe Jesus, other than to indicate that he was around 30 years old ... | |
| apostolic succession | 6/20/2004 |
| Q: Olewiler, Thank you for your reply. I'm a bit confused because I've always thought that deacons & ... A: The United Methodist Church changed its system of orders and ordination eight years ago. Under the ... | |
| apostolic succession | 6/19/2004 |
| Q: I know that most Methodist Churches have bishops. Do you have the same holy orders and maintain ... A: No, United Methodist bishops are not in the same succession as are Catholic, Orthodox,and Anglican. ... | |
| Difference between SBC & UMC | 6/18/2004 |
| Q: What are the main differences between United Methodist and Southern Baptist? A: United Methodists and Baptists have much in common -- belief in God and Bible, acceptance of Jesus ... | |
| methodist view of afterlife | 6/13/2004 |
| Q: what happens to a Christian after death? does s/he goes to heaven and be with God immediately? or in ... A: There is no "Methodist" view of the afterlife. Like other Christians, we note that two views appear ... | |
| Beliefs | 6/11/2004 |
| Q: Rev. Olewiler, I have been Methodist all of my 18 years and very active in my church. However, about ... A: Luther, of course, would argue that he was returning the church to its early universal (catholic) ... | |
| KJB | 6/10/2004 |
| Q: Most marketing materials of modern Bible versions claim that the King James Bible is based on ... A: I agree that the KJV was translated from very late (which means often corrupted) versions of the ... | |
| the holy catholic church | 6/10/2004 |
| Q: Since Christianity is about a personal relationship with God and the Bible is our sole guide, why do ... A: Your question raises a couple of thoughts: First, when the Apostle's Creed was written, there ... | |
| after crucifixion | 6/8/2004 |
| Q: What happened to Jesus and where was his soul/spirit between his cruxifixion and his resurrection? ... A: Christ after his death descended to hell, or descended to the dead. This emphasizes that Christ ... | |
| intercession of the saints | 6/7/2004 |
| Q: Since we could and do always ask our fellow earthly Christians to pray with us, why can't we pray ... A: Sorry to be late in answering; Allexperts would not open the reply window last night. Yes, I ... | |
| Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit | 6/3/2004 |
| Q: Matthew 12:31-32 states that blasphemy against the Son of Man is forgiveable, but blasphemy against ... A: Jeffrey! The Holy Spirit is God's advocating, comforting, guiding presence with us. To ... | |
| religion | 5/30/2004 |
| Q: Is the Methodist religion more like the Catholic? A friend had made the comment that they were ... A: Nancy -- Maybe this would help. It outlines some similarities and differences of United ... | |
| relationships | 5/30/2004 |
| Q: We all know that God forbids homosexual acts but loves homosexual persons. If a homosexual couple in ... A: As I read the Bible, it is concerned with same-sex acts that are violent acts of war or that are ... | |
| worship | 5/30/2004 |
| Q: Could you explain the theology behind various acts of worship in a service? I understand that the ... A: Danny! Intoit literally means, "going in"; postlude is "after the event. They are meant as ... | |
| homosexuality | 5/28/2004 |
| Q: i understand that the traditional church teachings on the subject of homosexuality has been negative ... A: Since I once served a church whose choir director was gay, I refuse to condemn gay persons or to ... | |
| religion | 5/27/2004 |
| Q: Is the Methodist religion more like the Catholic? A friend had made the comment that they were ... A: Nancy! Sorry that I have been out of town today and thus very late in getting to your question. ... | |
| Baptism | 5/21/2004 |
| Q: I would like to know if a baptized and/or confirmed non-Methodist Christian wishes to join the ... A: The United Methodist Church recognizes baptism by all Christian churches. We are not baptized into ... | |
| Communion | 5/21/2004 |
| Q: Can non-Methodist Christians, such as Eastern Orthodox, Roman Catholics and other Protestant ... A: Yes, we have open communion for members of all Christian churches. Some pastors require baptism; we ... | |
| second offering | 5/20/2004 |
| Q: I've attended a Holy Communion service at a Methodist Church and there was a collection for the ... A: This second offering was simply that particular church's response to its special needs or ... | |
| Denomination | 4/26/2004 |
| Q: What denominaiton was Jesus? & Why do you call yourself reverend? A: In Jesus time there were no denominations, not even a Christian Church. He was a Jewish teacher and ... | |
| Mary and Christ | 4/26/2004 |
| Q: What is the official Methodist stance on Mary's relation to Christ? According to Methodist belief, ... A: United Methodists have no official stance on Mary; she is not part of our theological background. ... | |
| Prayer Guidance | 4/17/2004 |
| Q: Olewiler, I had a brother I loved very much who committed suicide in the early 80s from gambling ... A: How sad to learn of your brother's death. I pray for you and for him, that God may hold you in the ... | |
| Doctrinal Differences | 4/14/2004 |
| Q: I was raised a Baptist. However I have been out of church for several years. I have been searching ... A: United Methodists and Baptists have much in common -- belief in God and Bible, acceptance of Jesus ... | |
| Giants in the Bible | 3/24/2004 |
| Q: Genesis refers to "giants". Putting aside the Holywood version of giants, what is teh Bible ... A: Genesis' authors are reflecting a common theme in the folklore of the early Middle East -- that at ... | |
| Bible and slavery | 3/19/2004 |
| Q: The Bible seems quite casual in it's handling of slavery, it seems to neither condone nor condemn. ... A: You are right. The Bible writers took slavery for granted in many instances. I think that we look to ... | |
| Aposples Creed | 3/15/2004 |
| Q: Olewiler, After attending "The Passion of the Christ" , I was thinking about what happened to ... A: The original version of the Apostles' Creed (which was a creed said at baptism to express the faith) ... | |
| promises given to Abraham prophetically | 3/2/2004 |
| Q: What promises were given to Abraham prophetically? A: Are you thinking of Genesis 22? God promises to Abraham a whole nation of descendants, as many as ... | |
| The Passion | 2/26/2004 |
| Q: William, I am a 20 year old college student who was raised in a Christian (Methodist) family. My ... A: The Church over the years has explored many ways of understanding what God did for us in the life, ... | |
| Methodist vs Episcopal | 2/25/2004 |
| Q: You have been of great assistance. Can you recommend any reading material that would assist me?My ... A: There is a thick paperback called "The Story of American Methodism" (by Frederick A. Norwood, ... | |
| Methodist vs Episcopal | 2/25/2004 |
| Q: My family (wife and newborn son) and I have recently begun a quest to find a church that fulfills ... A: Let me answer briefly some of your questions, without pretending to be able to handle them all. ... | |
| Converting | 1/23/2004 |
| Q: I have been raised a Roman Catholic since birth, I am what you call a Cradle Catholic, or born into ... A: Perhaps your folks are concerned that you might be leaving a way of relating to God that satisfies ... | |
Methodists
The Rev. William E. Olewiler
Top Expert on this page
Expertise
United Methodist church structure and doctrine. Science and religion. Christian Education and the Sunday School. Religion and race. Women in the church. United Methodist pastor for 22 years. Member, commissions on Religion and Race and Status and Role of Women. Masters in Divinity and Religious Education.
Experience
Ordained deacon and elder, United Methodist
Church. District and conference leadership.
Education/Credentials
Bachelor of Arts, Political Science, George Washington University, Washington DC
Master of Arts, Political Science, Brown University, Providence RI
Master of Arts, Teaching Secondary Social Studies, Teachers College/Columbia University, New York NY
Master of Divinity, Wesley Theological Seminary, Washington DC
Doctor of Ministry, Wesley Theological Seminary, Washington DC
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