Understanding the Differences Between and the Similarities of the Episcopal and the Methodist Church

I grew up as the daughter of an Episcopal priest. My best friend was and is Methodist so in our youth we attended each other's church a lot. I associated the Episcopal Church almost with good opera: the stained glass windows, the colorful vestments, the pipe organ, the incense, and the rituals. A high church Episcopal service invigorates the five senses.

The Methodist service was calmer with less athleticism required (Episcopal congregations must genuflect, stand, sit, kneel, sit, stand, kneel...). A piano provided the music, the prayers were familiar (Book of Common Prayer), but the sermon was more evangelical.

The Methodist and Episcopal Churches Originated for Different Reasons

The differences are intentional. Methodism came about in the 18^th century partly from dissatisfaction in the perceived elitist tendencies of the Church of England. The Methodists were the working class denomination while the Episcopalians catered to the aristocracy - a division that colors both even today.

I am fascinated by the absolute power Henry VIII held. So powerful was he that when he wanted to divorce Catherine of Aragon so he could marry Anne Boleyn, he broke with the Catholic Church of Rome, created the Church of England, placed himself at the head of the newly created church, and did as he pleased. Just after the American Revolution, the Episcopal Church was organized because the Church of England required its clergy to swear an oath of allegiance to the British Monarch - an act the Americans weren't keen on having just won independence from England.

Meanwhile, John Wesley began his Methodist revival in England as a movement within the Church of England. The Methodists resisted attacks against them, with some immigrating to a new America as missionaries.

Methodist and Episcopal Churches Share Many Similarities

It's easy to go back and forth between Episcopal and Methodist churches. The hymns are different, but the prayers are similar as well as their stands on many social issues.

The Episcopal and Methodist Protestant branches share roots in sixteenth century Anglican reformation. Both maintain that the Bible is the authority for Christians and that faith in Jesus as the Christ brings salvation. In other words, you don't have to do good works to be "saved" and the Bible is your guide. While Methodists hold a literal interpretation of the Old Testament and the New Testament, Episcopalians temper their interpretation of the Bible with church tradition and reason.

Both Methodists and Episcopalians pray to the triune God - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Jesus is both human and divine.

As both use the Nicene Creed as a statement of faith, it nicely sums up the core beliefs of Methodists and Episcopalians.

We believe in one God,
the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all that is, seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the only son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made,
of one being with the Father.
Through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation
he came down from heaven:
by the power of the Holy Spirit
he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary,
and was made man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose again
in accordance with the Scriptures;
he ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory
to judge the living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father
With the Father and the Son
he is worshipped and glorified.
He has spoken through the Prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come. AMEN.

The Methodist Church and Episcopal Church share opinions on many social issues. Both are pro choice and both condemn capital punishment.

Differences between Methodists and Episcopalians

While Methodist and Episcopal churches are quite similar, there are notable differences.

• The Episcopal Church ordains gays and lesbians who are in lifelong committed relationships.
• Methodists traditionally upheld the temperance movement, thus you will have grape juice with a Methodist communion, but wine during Episcopal communion.
• There are three times as many Methodists as Episcopalians.
• Apostolic Succession: an Episcopal priest "must be ordained by a bishop who himself was consecrated in the line of succession from the time of Christ's Apostles. Methodist ministers are ordained by both a bishop and other elders, who do not claim that they are part of an unbroken chain back to the time of Christ."
• The Eucharist: Holy Communion is celebrated at every Episcopal service, while Methodists celebrate it less frequently - sometimes one Sunday out of the month.
• High versus Low Church: Episcopalian services tend to be more lavish than Methodist services.

Sources:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protestantism
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methodism
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Episcopal_Church_%28United_States%29
http://www.religionfacts.com/christianity/charts/denominations_beliefs.htm
http://www.spurgeon.org/~phil/creeds/nicene.htm
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,940093,00.html
http://www.adherents.com/rel_USA.html