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Mar. 28th, 2003 10:35 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
kayreLots of questions to answer, now.... I’ll start with a relatively easy one from ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
gypsyjen
I understand what you're saying, having been officially On The Books as a UU, but, honestly, it varies hugely by congregation. (The one I was on the books in would hardly have thought you silly, since we'd also have to have thought the same of our own minister. =) I would be interested in hearing about where you see yourself as being more in line with Methodism than UU. (Because I'm very familiar with UU, and hope to understand more about your definition of Christianity.)
Actually, I’m not sure I’m ‘more in line’ with Methodism; mostly, I’m more comfortable there.
Yes, I’m sure there’s huge variety among UUs, just as there is among Methodist congregations. At one point I was serving four Methodist congregations which ranged from a Baptist-style with gospel music and altar calls to a high-church congregation with chant and incense!
I’ve got two main reasons for staying in Methodism, at this point. On the practical side, there are probably at least 5 Methodist churches for every UU congregation in this area-- and the Methodist churches are generally larger. I like having lots of choice, and I’m rather fond of working for a church big enough to have a 4-part choir, sing hymns well, and yes, pay me.
Spiritually... having admitted that all religions have access to Truth, I still am happier within the Christian tradition than with trying to blend them all. I respect other traditions, study them, enjoy them, and sometimes adopt elements... but it is Christianity, with its music, its stories, and even its flaws, that moves me. I also feel a certain calling to work within Christianity to help other Christians see beyond the narrow fundamentalist interpretations, rather than to go where people already think that way.
gypsyjenI understand what you're saying, having been officially On The Books as a UU, but, honestly, it varies hugely by congregation. (The one I was on the books in would hardly have thought you silly, since we'd also have to have thought the same of our own minister. =) I would be interested in hearing about where you see yourself as being more in line with Methodism than UU. (Because I'm very familiar with UU, and hope to understand more about your definition of Christianity.)
Actually, I’m not sure I’m ‘more in line’ with Methodism; mostly, I’m more comfortable there.
Yes, I’m sure there’s huge variety among UUs, just as there is among Methodist congregations. At one point I was serving four Methodist congregations which ranged from a Baptist-style with gospel music and altar calls to a high-church congregation with chant and incense!
I’ve got two main reasons for staying in Methodism, at this point. On the practical side, there are probably at least 5 Methodist churches for every UU congregation in this area-- and the Methodist churches are generally larger. I like having lots of choice, and I’m rather fond of working for a church big enough to have a 4-part choir, sing hymns well, and yes, pay me.
Spiritually... having admitted that all religions have access to Truth, I still am happier within the Christian tradition than with trying to blend them all. I respect other traditions, study them, enjoy them, and sometimes adopt elements... but it is Christianity, with its music, its stories, and even its flaws, that moves me. I also feel a certain calling to work within Christianity to help other Christians see beyond the narrow fundamentalist interpretations, rather than to go where people already think that way.
