Methodist and Catholic dialogue?

[ac_claire]

I know this may sound random, but…any Methodist CAFers out there?

A friend of mine has a forum set up for discussion between Methodists and Catholics. Actually, anyone is welcome, but this is the primary focus so far. If there are any Methodists or Catholics who would be interested in adding anything to such a forum, please PM me and I’ll give you the link.

For my personal info, does anyone know anything about the liturgical tradition of the Methodist church? Do they use a liturgy? If so, is there a spectrum along the lines of the Anglican and Lutheran churches, where you have “low church” (more evangelical/pentocostal) at one end and “high church” (liturgical/traditional) at the other?

Also, is there anything particular to a Methodist spirituality? Something that would distinguish it from other protestant denominations? Or can such a thing even be defined?

Any (name removed by moderator)ut is greatly appreciated!

 

[O.S.Luke]

There have been official dialogues between Methodism and the Vatican for several years (I posted this link a while back).

There is an official liturgy for United Methodists, but like Episcopalians and Lutherans, it runs the gamut from low to high church, some with weekly Eucharist and some celebrating the sacrament once a month. It was the dream of John Wesley that the evangelical would be balanced with the sacramental, since both were clearly embraced in the Early Church - the evangelical in sharing and spreading the Gospel, and the sacramental in experiencing and encountering the Risen Christ in the means of grace.

The official statement of the United Methodist Church in terms of liturgy and worship:

While the freedom and diversity of United Methodist worship are greater than can be represented by any single order of worship, United Methodists also affirm a heritage of order and the importance of the specific guidance and modeling that an order of worship provides. . . . Acts of worship that reflect racial, ethnic, regional, and local customs and heritages may be used appropriately throughout this order. - from The United Methodist Book of Worship

The ritual officially approved by The United Methodist Church represents the decisions of the church about the theology and practice of Holy Communion. This ritual expresses the unity of the universal church of Jesus Christ and exemplifies our connection within The United Methodist Church. It had its origin in the early Christian community and has evolved in the practice of the church through the centuries. Our ritual is in accord with those currently used in most Christian bodies.

At its best, United Methodist liturgy combines the order and beauty of established ritual with the vitality and freshness of creative expression. The richness of tradition developed through two thousand years of Christian history can be faithfully adapted for present times and situations. - from, This Holy Mystery

Most Methodists historically have embraced a Wesleyan Spirituality - this link would explain this to you much better than I could.

O+

 

[Lilyflower]

Methodism expresses worship in both praising and singing. They put great emphasis of singing. It is a great pity Catholics did not embrace singing to the same extent.

They also have very powerful preachers. Some of the best homilies I have ever heard have been by Methodist lay preachers.

They also from time to time accept Catholic Deacons into their pulpit to preach. That to my mind speaks volumes.

They do not tend to share our view of the Consecrated Meal and indeed many particularly the more traditional, tend to refuse to partake.