Any Methodists in the lounge, I have a question.

[JVS]

What is the method that the term Methodists refers to. I know that Baptists are big on baptism, what are Methodists all about?

[JimmyJazz]

1. Oh crap. I can't remember where the name comes from - but it

has something to do with the teachings of John Wesley. That's all I can remember right now.

[Narraback]

3. RC here but I think it is an off-shoot of the Church of England...

As I recall Rev. Wesley never left the the Church of England.

Here is were I run out of info.

[mac56]

2. From Wikipedia:

The term "Methodist" was a pejorative college nickname that was bestowed upon a small society of students at Oxford, who met together between 1729 and 1735 for the purpose of mutual improvement. They were accustomed to communicate every week, to fast regularly, and to abstain from most forms of amusement and luxury. They also frequently visited poor and sick persons and prisoners.

And, yes, I'm a Methodist.

[JVS]

5. Ok, any hints on why they were nicknamed that?

Thanks for the info

[mac56]

6. From what I can gather, it's because of the rituals

or structure or "methods" of fasting and regular communication they followed.

Kind of a lame criticism, but if that's all there was to snipe at them about...

[JVS]

7. It seems a very strange criticism indeed.

I wonder who it was that applied it to them. If it was the Anglicans that were calling them this it seems ironic to hear a church with a stong liturgical tradition where the service is highly structured taling about another group following methods closely.

[bmbmd]

8. John Wesley was full of good ideas.

He called these groups that met once a week "Holiness Clubs". Today, many Christians meet in accountabilty groups or "Reunion Groups"-variations on the same theme. His advice on finances? "Tithe ten per cent, save ten per cent, and live joyously on the rest". One of his most enduring legacies, however, among United Methodists was the so-called "Wesley Quadralateral". The WQ maintained that God had given us four instruments for the resolution of question and conflict-scripture, tradition, experience, and reason. Today's burgeoning religious right violates all four.

[polmaven]

9. Well, you WERE a Methodist

(or would have been, if you are old enough)until April 23, 1968 when you (we) merged with "The Evangelical United Brethren Church" and we became United Methodists. :hi:

You're right about the nickname being the origin of the label.

They were mocked as "Bible Rats" and "The Holy Club". Because of the highly disciplined, methodical way they lived they were also called "Methodists", and that is the name that endured. (Phew!)

[AspenRose]

4. Try here

http://www.umc.org/interior.asp?mid=166

John Wesley was an Anglican minister originally.

Social Justice issues are big in the UMC.

The Salvation Army and the Nazarene church are offshoots of Methodism.

I would say more but I'm going to bed.