As the daughter of two United Methodist ministers, I have grown up constantly hanging out in the church, going on church trips, mourning in funeral homes, celebrating in weddings and making other fellow United Methodist friends. In my short, 18 years, I have realized that we are quite a special group of people with many traditions, habits and trends (some serious, some silly, some both) that make us who we are. I've compiled a list of a few things only you fellow United Methodists will (hopefully) understand, laugh at and feel with me on a "spiritual" level.
1. Harmonies are extremely important.
No song sounds good without at least four parts.
2. Say it with me now: "God is good - all the time! All the time - God is good!"
You're a United Methodist if you can say that response in your sleep. Oh and don't forget: "May the Lord be with you! — And also with you!"
3. The best communion is taken with Hawaiian bread.
And if your server knows you, they'll know to rip you off an extra big piece to dip in the all important Welch's grape juice.
4. John Wesley is seriously the coolest guy ever, particularly in your preacher's opinion.
They most likely bring him up more often than they bring themselves up.
5. You know exactly what the seemingly random combinations of letters "UMYF, UMCOR, UMVIM, GBOD" and "UMW" are.
And you're most likely part of one or more of them.
6. No matter how late the service ends, it's always important to sing the final hymn all the way through.
7. No potluck is complete without fried chicken and mac and cheese.
It isn't a real church meal without it or that one special person who makes it the best.
8. Mission work/service is a lifestyle.
It's not a yearly trip to another country, it's how you live out your daily life.
9. When the pastor says "We will be receiving by method of intinction," and your guest from another denomination has no idea what that word means.
But honestly, do any of us know what that really means?
10. Your pastor is most likely also one of your good friends.
It's not embarrassing at all when you run into them in the liquor aisle at the grocery store (yes, they drink beer with their crawfish and wine with their cheese just like you do).
11. Church camp is where you meet your lifelong faith comrades, and possibly your future spouse.
You probably only go back the next year just to see them.
12. The children's choir is just as good, if not better, than the adult choir.
And they're definitely cuter.
13. Your youth group is actually your family.
I mean, think about it. You eat meals with them, go on trips, pray and play with them.
14. God's grace is overwhelmingly abundant and there's nothing you can do to change his love for you.
Hopefully, though, everyone feels and knows this fact, not just the members of the United Methodist Church.
