This post is in response to a question posed to me by several people. Sometimes I wonder myself what a Methodist is. I am one, but I meet other Methodists with whom I seem to share very little. That is one of the great things about Methodism. In theory there is a great deal of room for difference. There are contemplative UMCers, evangelical UMCers, postmodern UMCers, social justice UMCers, and even progressive UMCers. So what pulls us all together? To start looking at this weird experiment called Methodism, check out the newly redesigned denominational website. Specific to who United Methodists are and what we believe, I suggest you begin with here.
3 comments:
Do you think that part of what makes it hard to define/identify Methodists as, is a result of an identity crisis we face? I sure think about that...down in these parts it is hard for us to define who we are what we are about!
Good question, Erika. I do think that there are regional and theological differences among United Methodists that make claiming one definition difficult. On the other hand, we have always had some of these differences. I know that I am an Anglican, contemplative, liturgical, process theology influenced, postmodern, GenX, reconciling United Methodist. That's a pretty specific bird!
How would you define yourself?
LOL! I love your response!
In seminary we argued a lot about how one identifies oneself because this automatically put one in a particularity...oh, so post-modern of us. Robert Neville, the Dean of my seminary at the time, said that these particularities, or sub-cultures would become the church to many people.
How would I define myself? Rather similarly to how you define yourself! I'll continue this thought later--have to run to a meeting!
Post a Comment