Anglican vs. Methodist — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Maham Liaqat — Updated on March 16, 2024
Anglican churches emphasize liturgical worship and apostolic succession, while Methodism focuses on personal faith and social justice.
Difference Between Anglican and Methodist
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Anglican tradition is rooted in the Church of England, characterized by a middle path between Protestantism and Catholicism, emphasizing liturgical services and the apostolic succession. Whereas, Methodism originated from the Anglican Church but places a stronger emphasis on personal faith, evangelism, and social justice, stemming from the teachings of John Wesley.
The Anglican Church maintains a hierarchical structure with bishops as the spiritual leaders, adhering to the traditional episcopal model of church governance. On the other hand, the Methodist Church adopts a more simplified structure, with conferences and councils playing a significant role in decision-making, promoting a more democratic form of governance.
In terms of worship, Anglicanism offers a variety of liturgical practices, ranging from high church (Anglo-Catholic) to low church (Evangelical Anglican), focusing on the sacraments and ancient church traditions. Methodism, while also valuing the sacraments, typically features a simpler, more sermon-centered worship style, aiming to foster a personal and communal relationship with God.
Doctrine and theology in the Anglican communion are guided by the Book of Common Prayer and the Thirty-Nine Articles, which strike a balance between Protestant doctrines and Catholic traditions. Methodists, however, follow John Wesley’s sermons and the Articles of Religion, which emphasize salvation through faith, sanctification, and the importance of scripture for guiding faith and practice.
Social engagement and mission work are central to both Anglicanism and Methodism, but their approaches can differ. Anglicans often focus on integrating faith with social action within a broader, global communion. Meanwhile, Methodists have a storied history of grassroots social justice efforts, education, and community service, reflecting Wesley’s view that personal faith should manifest in public action.
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Comparison Chart
Origins
Emerged from the English Reformation, 16th century.
Founded by John Wesley in the 18th century as a movement within Anglicanism.
Worship Style
Ranges from high (Anglo-Catholic) to low (Evangelical), emphasizing liturgy.
Generally features a simpler, sermon-focused worship.
Governance
Hierarchical with bishops, maintaining apostolic succession.
Organized in conferences and councils, with a more democratic structure.
Theology
Guided by the Book of Common Prayer and the Thirty-Nine Articles.
Based on Wesley’s sermons and the Articles of Religion, emphasizing personal faith.
Social Engagement
Integrates faith with social action globally.
Focuses on grassroots social justice, education, and community service.
Compare with Definitions
Anglican
A branch of Christianity rooted in the Church of England, known for its middle path between Protestantism and Catholicism.
The Anglican Church's liturgy and traditions stem from its origins in the English Reformation.
Methodist
A Protestant denomination emphasizing personal faith, social justice, and scriptural holiness.
Methodism was founded by John Wesley to reform the Church of England from within.
Anglican
Features a variety of worship styles, from high to low church.
Anglican worship services are known for their elaborate liturgies and emphasis on sacraments.
Methodist
Focuses on preaching and personal experience of faith.
Methodist worship services highlight the sermon and personal conversion stories.
Anglican
Comprises a worldwide family of churches in communion with the Archbishop of Canterbury.
The Anglican Communion represents a global fellowship of churches connected through history and tradition.
Methodist
Features a structured yet democratic conference system for church governance.
Methodist churches are governed by annual conferences, reflecting their democratic ethos.
Anglican
Uses a hierarchical structure with bishops overseeing churches.
In the Anglican Church, bishops play a crucial role in maintaining the continuity of apostolic succession.
Methodist
Central to Methodist theology and practice.
John Wesley's sermons and writings continue to influence Methodist beliefs and practices.
Anglican
Central to worship and doctrine, it guides liturgical practices.
The Book of Common Prayer outlines the Anglican Church's liturgies, prayers, and sacraments.
Methodist
Strong focus on outreach, social issues, and community service.
Methodists have historically been involved in movements for social reform and justice.
Anglican
Of or characteristic of the Church of England or any of the churches related to it in origin and communion, such as the Episcopal Church.
Methodist
A member of an evangelical Protestant church founded on the principles of John and Charles Wesley in England in the early 1700s and characterized by active concern with social welfare and public morals.
Anglican
(Archaic) Of or relating to England or the English.
Methodist
Methodist One who emphasizes or insists on systematic procedure.
Anglican
A member of the Church of England or of any of the churches related to it.
Methodist
One who follows a method.
Anglican
English; of or pertaining to England or the English nation; especially, pertaining to, or connected with, the established church of England; as, the Anglican church, doctrine, orders, ritual, etc.
Methodist
(history of science) One who limits the domain of science to that which can be investigated using the scientific method.
Anglican
Pertaining to, characteristic of, or held by, the high church party of the Church of England.
Methodist
Alternative form of Methodist.
Anglican
A member of the Church of England.
Whether Catholics, Anglicans, or Calvinists.
Methodist
One who observes method.
Anglican
In a restricted sense, a member of the High Church party, or of the more advanced ritualistic section, in the Church of England.
Methodist
One of an ancient school of physicians who rejected observation and founded their practice on reasoning and theory.
Anglican
A Protestant who is a follower of Anglicanism
Methodist
One of a sect of Christians, the outgrowth of a small association called the "Holy Club," formed at Oxford University, a. d. 1729, of which the most conspicuous members were John Wesley and his brother Charles Wesley; - originally so called from the methodical strictness of members of the club in all religious duties.
Anglican
Of or pertaining to or characteristic of the Anglican church;
An Anglican Bishop
Methodist
A person of strict piety; one who lives in the exact observance of religious duties; - sometimes so called in contempt or ridicule.
Methodist
Of or pertaining to the sect of Methodists; as, Methodist hymns; a Methodist elder.
Methodist
A follower of Wesleyanism as practiced by the Methodist Church
Methodist
Of or pertaining to or characteristic of the branch of Protestantism adhering to the views of Wesley;
Methodist theology
Common Curiosities
Who founded Methodism?
John Wesley, an Anglican cleric and theologian, founded Methodism in the 18th century.
What is the Anglican Church?
The Anglican Church is a Christian denomination that originated with the Church of England, known for its via media or middle path between Protestantism and Catholicism.
Can Anglicans be considered Protestant or Catholic?
Anglicans consider themselves a "middle way," incorporating elements of both Protestantism and Catholic traditions.
What distinguishes Methodist worship?
Methodist worship is known for its focus on sermons and the personal experience of faith.
What is the Methodist Church's approach to governance?
The Methodist Church uses a conference system, reflecting a more democratic approach to governance.
What is the significance of the Book of Common Prayer?
The Book of Common Prayer is crucial for Anglican worship and doctrine, providing liturgical texts, prayers, and rites.
What is the Methodist Church's stance on scripture?
Methodists emphasize scripture as primary for guiding faith and practice, along with tradition, reason, and experience.
How do Anglican and Methodist views on salvation differ?
Both Anglicans and Methodists believe in salvation through faith in Christ, but Methodism places a greater emphasis on personal faith and sanctification.
How do Anglican and Methodist worship services differ?
Anglican worship varies from high to low church liturgies, focusing on the sacraments, whereas Methodist worship is more sermon-centered and less liturgically complex.
How is the Anglican Church governed?
The Anglican Church is governed hierarchically, with bishops playing a key role in church oversight.
What guides Anglican theology?
Anglican theology is guided by the Book of Common Prayer and the Thirty-Nine Articles.
What role does social justice play in Methodism?
Social justice is central to Methodism, reflecting John Wesley's belief in the connection between faith and works.
What is the global Anglican Communion?
The Anglican Communion is a worldwide family of churches in communion with the Archbishop of Canterbury, sharing common traditions and practices.
How do Anglicans view apostolic succession?
Anglicans view apostolic succession as essential for maintaining the continuity of the church through its bishops.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
