AME and United Methodist Church Differences
The African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church and the United Methodist Church (UMC) are two prominent denominations within Methodism, each with its own rich history and doctrinal nuances. While both share common roots in the Methodist tradition, which originated in the 18th century under the leadership of John Wesley, they have developed distinct theological and doctrinal perspectives over time.
This article explores the key doctrinal differences between the AME Church and the UMC, examining how historical, cultural, and theological factors have shaped their beliefs and practices.
United Methodist and AME Historical Background
To understand the doctrinal differences between the AME Church and the UMC, it is essential to consider their historical origins.
The African Methodist Episcopal Church was founded in 1816 by Richard Allen, a former slave who sought to create a denomination where African Americans could worship freely without experiencing racial discrimination. The AME Church emerged as a response to the racism and segregation that African Americans faced within the Methodist Episcopal Church. Its formation marked a significant moment in American religious history, as it became the first independent black denomination in the United States.
The United Methodist Church was formed in 1968 through the merger of the Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren Church. The Methodist Church itself was a product of earlier mergers, including the union of the Methodist Episcopal Church, the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and the Methodist Protestant Church in 1939.
The UMC represents a broad spectrum of theological perspectives within Methodism and is one of the largest Protestant denominations in the world. While both the AME Church and the UMC share a common Wesleyan heritage, their distinct historical experiences have led to differences in doctrine and practice although both serving within the Black Christian experience.
Both Denominations Core Theological Beliefs
Both the AME Church and the UMC adhere to core Wesleyan theological beliefs, including the doctrines of prevenient grace, justification by faith, and sanctification. However, there are notable differences in how these doctrines are understood and emphasized within each denomination.
Prevenient Grace
Prevenient grace, a key concept in Wesleyan theology, refers to the grace of God that precedes human action and enables individuals to respond to God's call to salvation.
AME Church: The AME Church affirms the doctrine of prevenient grace, emphasizing that God's grace is available to all people, regardless of race or social status. This emphasis on inclusivity reflects the church's historical mission to serve marginalized communities. The AME Church teaches that prevenient grace works within individuals, drawing them toward repentance and faith in Jesus Christ.
UMC: The UMC also upholds the doctrine of prevenient grace, emphasizing that it is the first step in God's plan of salvation. The UMC teaches that prevenient grace is universal and allows individuals the freedom to accept or reject God's offer of salvation. The UMC's emphasis on prevenient grace aligns with its commitment to social justice and evangelism, as the church seeks to reach all people with the message of God's love.
Justification by Faith Alone
Justification by faith is the belief that individuals are made right with God through faith in Jesus Christ, rather than by their own works or merit.
AME Church: The AME Church teaches that justification is a gift of God's grace, received through faith in Jesus Christ. The church emphasizes the transformative power of God's grace in the lives of believers, leading them to live in obedience to God's commandments. The AME Church's emphasis on justification by faith is closely tied to its commitment to social justice and the empowerment of African American communities.
UMC: The UMC also affirms the doctrine of justification by faith, teaching that it is a pivotal moment in the process of salvation. The UMC emphasizes that justification is both an act of God's grace and a response of faith on the part of the believer. The UMC's understanding of justification is deeply connected to its commitment to personal and social holiness, as believers are called to live out their faith through acts of love and justice.
Sanctification (Ongoing Submission to Holy Spirit Leading)
Sanctification is the process by which believers are made holy through the work of the Holy Spirit, becoming more like Christ in their thoughts, words, and actions.
AME Church: The AME Church teaches that sanctification is a lifelong process that begins at the moment of justification and continues throughout the believer's life. The church emphasizes the role of the Holy Spirit in sanctification, empowering believers to live holy lives and to resist sin. The AME Church's emphasis on sanctification is reflected in its commitment to moral and ethical living, as well as its focus on community service and social justice.
UMC: The UMC also upholds the doctrine of sanctification, teaching that it is a process of growing in grace and becoming more Christlike. The UMC emphasizes the importance of both personal and social holiness, as believers are called to live out their faith in both their individual lives and in the broader society. The UMC's understanding of sanctification is closely tied to its emphasis on the means of grace, including prayer, Bible study, and participation in the sacraments.
Sacramental Theology
Both the AME Church and the UMC recognize two sacraments: baptism and the Lord's Supper (Holy Communion). However, there are differences in how these sacraments are understood and practiced within each denomination.
Baptism
Baptism is the sacrament of initiation into the Christian faith, signifying the believer's incorporation into the body of Christ.
AME Church: The AME Church practices both infant and adult baptism, recognizing baptism as a means of grace that marks the beginning of the believer's journey of faith. The AME Church teaches that baptism is a sign of God's covenant with humanity and a symbol of the believer's new life in Christ. The church emphasizes the importance of baptism as a communal act, celebrating the inclusion of the individual into the church community.
UMC: The UMC also practices both infant and adult baptism, teaching that baptism is an outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace. The UMC emphasizes that baptism is a sacrament of God's prevenient grace, welcoming individuals into the covenant community of the church. The UMC teaches that baptism is not merely a symbolic act but a means of grace through which the Holy Spirit works in the life of the believer.
The Lord's Supper (Holy Communion)
The Lord's Supper, or Holy Communion, is the sacrament that commemorates the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and serves as a means of grace for believers.
AME Church: The AME Church practices an open table, inviting all baptized Christians to participate in the Lord's Supper. The church teaches that the sacrament is a means of grace through which believers experience the presence of Christ and are strengthened in their faith. The AME Church emphasizes the communal nature of the sacrament, as it unites believers in fellowship with one another and with Christ.
UMC: The UMC also practices an open table, welcoming all who seek to live in peace with God and one another to participate in Holy Communion. The UMC teaches that the Lord's Supper is a means of grace that offers spiritual nourishment and strengthens the believer's relationship with Christ. The UMC emphasizes the sacrament as a foretaste of the heavenly banquet and a sign of the unity of the church.
Biblical Social Justice and Mission
Both the AME Church and the UMC have a strong commitment to social justice and mission, though their approaches and emphases differ based on their historical and cultural contexts.
AME Church: The AME Church has a long history of advocating for the rights and dignity of African Americans, particularly in the context of slavery, segregation, and racial discrimination. The church's commitment to social justice is rooted in its understanding of the Gospel as a message of liberation and empowerment for oppressed communities. The AME Church emphasizes the importance of education, economic development, and political activism as means of advancing social justice. The church's mission is closely tied to its historical role as a voice for African Americans, and it continues to advocate for racial equality and social change.
UMC: The UMC also has a strong commitment to social justice, rooted in its Wesleyan tradition of personal and social holiness. The UMC emphasizes the importance of addressing systemic issues such as poverty, racism, and environmental degradation as part of its mission to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. The UMC's approach to social justice is broad and inclusive, reflecting its global reach and diverse membership. The church engages in a wide range of mission activities, including disaster relief, healthcare, education, and advocacy for human rights.
Governance and Polity
The governance structures of the AME Church and the UMC also reflect their distinct histories and theological emphases.
AME Church: The AME Church follows an episcopal polity, meaning that it is governed by bishops who have authority over dioceses (known as episcopal districts). The bishops are responsible for the spiritual oversight and administration of the church, including the appointment of pastors and the establishment of church policies. The AME Church places a strong emphasis on the leadership of its bishops, who are seen as successors to the apostles and guardians of the church's doctrine and discipline.
UMC: The UMC also follows an episcopal polity, with bishops serving as leaders of the church's various conferences. However, the UMC's governance structure is more decentralized than that of the AME Church, with significant authority vested in the General Conference, a representative body that meets every four years to set church policy. The UMC's bishops are tasked with overseeing the spiritual and administrative life of the church, but they are accountable to the General Conference and the broader church community.
Conclusion
While the African Methodist Episcopal Church and the United Methodist Church share common Wesleyan roots, their distinct histories, cultural