Baptist vs. Methodist: My Spiritual Journey & Reflections on Faith and Community

ByJames Butler

What’s the difference between a Baptist and a Methodist? Easy one! Baptists rush into church every time the doors unlock. And Methodists lock them in. 

Comment: "What they have in common is they serve the same casseroles..." - Danny H.

Church quiz: Were these photos from the Southern Baptist or the United Methodist era? And I’d like to report a robbery! Someone robbed my hair!

Auld Lang Syne

Should old acquaintance be forgot
And never brought to mind?
Should old acquaintance be forgot
In the days of auld lang syne?

As the sun sets on 2025, let us reflect on where we have been and where we are going. As you guessed, my photos above were from my Southern Baptist years, right before I entered the United Methodist Church, and then the International Council of Community Churches. Though time has grayed and thinned my hair, I remember the days spent in each of these Arizona churches as though they were yesterday.

At one church I pastored, farm wives (like the Magi of the Bible story) brought their gifts and decorated the altar for Christmas. The photo below, taken last Sunday at First United Methodist of Warsaw, MO, reminded me of the wonder on the faces of those women as they worshiped, having offered their artistic gifts to the Newborn King. Many dear saints with whom I served have now crossed over into that eternal family reunion. For those of you who are alone or grieving this Christmas, may God comfort you and surround you in His presence and peace.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. - Hebrews 12

Peace on Earth,

Jim

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