Methodist vs. Anglican: What’s the Difference?

Christianity has developed into a wide range of denominations, each shaped by theological interpretations, historical events, and cultural influences. Among these, Anglicanism and Methodism stand out as two branches that share historical roots yet differ in worship style, governance, and doctrine. While Methodism originated from within Anglicanism, it developed into a separate movement with its own leadership, theological perspectives, and social teachings.

This guide explores both foundational beliefs and nuanced differences, making it useful for beginners and those with prior knowledge of Christian traditions.

Origins and Historical Background

Anglicanism: A Break from Rome, but Retaining Catholic Traditions

Anglicanism began in 1534 when King Henry VIII broke away from the Roman Catholic Church over a political and theological dispute. The immediate cause was his desire to annul his marriage to Catherine of Aragon, which the Pope refused to permit. However, beneath this controversy was a growing movement within England that sought reformation of Catholic doctrines while maintaining the church’s hierarchical structure and sacraments.

The Church of England was officially established by the Act of Supremacy, which declared the monarch as the supreme head of the Church instead of the Pope. Unlike Lutheranism or Calvinism, which radically altered church practices, Anglicanism retained many Catholic traditions, including the belief in bishops, liturgical worship, and sacraments. Over time, Anglicanism expanded into a global communion with national churches such as The Episcopal Church in the U.S. and The Church of Nigeria, which differ in theology and practice.

Methodism: A Revival Movement That Became a Separate Church

Methodism originated in the 1700s as a spiritual revival within the Anglican Church, led by John Wesley and his brother Charles Wesley. The movement was a reaction to spiritual stagnation within the Church of England and emphasized personal holiness, passionate preaching, and outreach to the poor.

John Wesley’s teachings stressed a methodical approach to Christian life—hence the name “Methodist,” which was initially used as an insult. Early Methodists focused on small group discipleship, where believers met regularly to pray, study scripture, and confess their sins to one another. Wesley never intended to separate from Anglicanism, but after his death, Methodist societies expanded independently, especially in America, where they quickly outgrew their Anglican roots. By the early 19th century, Methodism was fully distinct from Anglicanism, with its own ordained clergy, leadership structure, and mission-focused identity.

Beliefs and Theology

Anglicans: A Theological Middle Way (Via Media)

Anglicanism is often described as a middle way between Catholicism and Protestantism. It maintains the sacraments, episcopal leadership, and structured liturgy of Catholicism while embracing Protestant principles like justification by faith and direct access to scripture.

Doctrine is guided by the “Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion,” a set of theological statements finalized in 1571 that clarify Anglican beliefs about salvation, sacraments, and church authority. Anglican theology is based on three pillars:

• Scripture (the Bible as the primary authority)
• Tradition (historic church practices)
• Reason (human reasoning guided by the Holy Spirit)

Different branches of Anglicanism interpret these principles differently. High Church Anglicans lean toward Catholic-style worship, while Low Church Anglicans emphasize simplicity and Bible preaching.

Methodists: Emphasizing Grace, Experience, and Holy Living

Methodists reject predestination (the idea that God has already chosen who will be saved) and instead teach free will, meaning that all people have the ability to accept God’s grace.

John Wesley emphasized three stages of grace:

• Prevenient Grace – God’s grace working in a person’s life before they consciously choose to follow Him.
• Justifying Grace – The moment of salvation when a person places faith in Christ.
• Sanctifying Grace – The ongoing process of becoming more Christ-like through holy living.

Methodists strongly believe in Christian perfection, the idea that a believer can reach a point where they are entirely devoted to God and freed from deliberate sin. Unlike Anglicans, who place importance on sacraments, Methodists emphasize personal experience with God, social justice, and actively living out faith through service to others.

Governance and Church Leadership

Anglican Hierarchy: Episcopal Leadership

Anglican churches follow a hierarchical structure similar to Catholicism. The Archbishop of Canterbury is the symbolic head of the global Anglican Communion, but individual national churches are self-governing. Bishops oversee dioceses, which contain multiple parishes (local churches). Priests and deacons serve within each parish under the authority of their bishop. The system is top-down, meaning that authority flows from bishops to clergy to laity.

Methodist Governance: More Democratic and Conference-Based

Methodist churches reject the hierarchical Anglican structure and instead operate through conferences and elected leadership. The Methodist Conference (or General Conference) serves as the main decision-making body. In some branches, such as the United Methodist Church (UMC), bishops exist, but they do not hold absolute power as Anglican bishops do. Many Methodists believe that clergy and laity should share authority, making their structure more democratic than Anglicanism.

Worship, Sacraments, and Social Teachings

Anglican Worship: A Blend of Catholic and Protestant Practices

Anglican worship services follow a structured and liturgical format, with prayers, scripture readings, and sacraments being central. The Book of Common Prayer, first introduced in 1549, serves as the guiding text for Anglican services, shaping everything from daily prayers to Holy Communion.

The Eucharist, also called Holy Communion, is a central act of Anglican worship, with most churches celebrating it weekly or at least regularly. Depending on the church, worship styles range from High Church, which closely resembles Roman Catholic Mass with incense, vestments, and chanted prayers, to Low Church, where services focus more on preaching and simplified liturgy.

Many Anglican churches include a formal procession, the recitation of the Nicene Creed or Apostles’ Creed, and scripture readings assigned by the Lectionary, ensuring that congregations hear a broad range of biblical texts throughout the year. Music plays a significant role, with choirs, hymns, and organ music being common, though contemporary worship styles have also emerged in some Anglican congregations.

Methodist Worship: More Spontaneous and Preaching-Focused

Methodist worship tends to be more flexible and less formal than Anglican services. While there is still a structured order of worship, it is not as rigid as in Anglicanism. John Wesley encouraged enthusiastic preaching, hymn singing, and heartfelt prayer, which continues to define Methodist services today.

Preaching takes center stage, with sermons often lasting longer than in Anglican services. Charles Wesley, John’s brother, wrote thousands of hymns that became the foundation of Methodist musical traditions, making congregational singing a defining aspect of Methodist worship.

The Lord’s Supper is celebrated, but not as frequently as in Anglican churches. Many Methodist congregations observe it once a month or on special occasions rather than weekly. The emphasis in Methodist worship is on personal faith and experience, with less focus on ritual compared to Anglicanism.

Sacraments: Differences in Beliefs and Practices

Anglican View: Sacraments as Means of Grace

Anglicans recognize two major sacraments, Baptism and Holy Communion, as necessary for all Christians, but also observe five additional sacramental rites (Confirmation, Penance, Matrimony, Holy Orders, and Anointing of the Sick). These are not required for salvation but are considered sacred practices that impart divine grace.

Baptism is often performed on infants, symbolizing their entry into the Christian community. The Anglican Church teaches that the Eucharist is more than just a symbolic act, though beliefs on the presence of Christ in Communion vary. Some hold a Catholic-influenced view of the Real Presence, while others see it as a spiritual remembrance.

Methodist View: Sacraments as Symbols of Grace

Methodists also practice Baptism and the Lord’s Supper, but their interpretation is different from Anglicanism. Baptism can be performed on infants or adults, depending on personal conviction. Unlike Anglicans, Methodists do not believe in baptismal regeneration—the idea that baptism itself imparts saving grace. Instead, it serves as a public declaration of faith.

Holy Communion in Methodism is a remembrance rather than a sacramental act of transformation. The bread and wine are seen as symbolic, rather than containing the actual presence of Christ. While Methodists believe sacraments are deeply meaningful, they do not hold the same sacramental theology as Anglicanism, where grace is imparted through the act itself.

Moral and Social Views

Anglican Views: Divided by Tradition and Region

Anglicanism has a broad spectrum of theological and social views, depending on the specific branch and region. Some Anglican churches uphold traditional stances on marriage, gender roles, and social issues, while others have embraced more progressive perspectives. The Anglican Communion is diverse, with provinces that support LGBTQ+ inclusion and women’s ordination, while others strongly oppose these positions.

Anglicans often balance personal conscience with church tradition. While some churches emphasize social justice, others prioritize doctrinal orthodoxy. The Episcopal Church in the U.S. has been at the forefront of progressive changes, while more conservative Anglican provinces in Africa and Asia maintain traditional teachings.

Methodist Views: Strong Focus on Social Justice

John Wesley was passionate about helping the poor, opposing slavery, and advocating for workers’ rights, and this emphasis remains in Methodism today. Many Methodist churches champion women’s ordination, racial equality, and social outreach programs.

The United Methodist Church (UMC), the largest Methodist body in the U.S., has debated LGBTQ+ inclusion for years. The church is currently experiencing a division, with traditionalist Methodists forming new denominations to preserve conservative teachings. Despite this, many Methodists continue to push for equality and justice as a central part of faith.

Global Presence and Influence

Anglican Communion: A Worldwide Network of Churches

The Anglican Communion is one of the largest Christian traditions, with 85 million members worldwide. It includes national churches such as the Church of England, The Episcopal Church (U.S.), and The Anglican Church of Canada, along with Anglican provinces in Africa, Asia, and Australia. While Anglicans share a common heritage, differences in theology and practice make the Communion a loosely connected network rather than a centrally governed body.

Methodism: A Global Movement with Evangelical Roots

Methodism has spread worldwide, particularly through missionary efforts in the 18th and 19th centuries. Today, it has over 80 million adherents, with strong presence in the U.S., the U.K., Africa, and parts of Asia. The United Methodist Church, the largest Methodist body, is in decline in the U.S. but growing rapidly in Africa and Asia. Independent Methodist groups, such as the African Methodist Episcopal Church and The Free Methodist Church, emphasize different aspects of Wesleyan theology while maintaining core Methodist beliefs.