In the early 1800’s, after attending a Methodist “frolic of faith” known as a Camp Meeting, somebody wrote this little ditty:

I’m a Methodist, Methodist, Methodist, Methodist,
Eatin’ Methodist pie.
I’m a Methodist, Methodist, Methodist, Methodist,
Methodist till I die.

Here at the dawn of the 21st century, nobody is concerned about the makers of the pie and to commit to anything until you die — well, that is scary.

Nevertheless, in this series of sermons on church membership, I would like to share with you my reasons for being a United Methodist Christian. We are not the only show in town, nor should we be. Our forefathers and foremothers were much more interested in practical religion than theological discussion. There are, however, some family traits that characterize the Methodists. …