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Me: Spiritually I was born into a Methodist family. I became a Christian in college

NY: Not sure I understand this statement ... aren't Methodist's christians?

Me: I grew up and was baptized as an infant in the Methodist church but it was not until about the time I started for college that I realized my sin and need for a savior. I placed my trust in Him at that time. I am not saying that the gospel was never preached in my church (I attended regularly) but I never heard and understood it. As the hymn says, "I once was blind but now I see."

In my church many assumed that people who attended church were Christians, whereas the Bible says that "Unless you believe that I am you will die in your sins." Jesus, the Divine I am, paid the penalty for my sin at the cross. He died in my place that I might be reconciled to the Father.

Does that clarify my statement?

Protestant worship services vary widely but most evangelical services include biblical teaching/preaching, congregational singing, prayer and observance of the Lord's Supper.

In the churches I have served communion has been observed on either a weekly or monthly basis. The sermons are usualy 35-40 minutes in length and focus on explaining and applying a section of scripture. Often we preach consecutively through a book of the Bible. (If interested, freep me your address and I'll send a tape or two as illustration). The music in our church is awesome. We have a 50 member choir, as well as instruments and many talented soloists. We usually have 20 minutes or so of worship in song. Ocassionally we will do a brief drama that illustrates the sermon lesson. Recently we use powerpoint so that people who are visually oriented can track well with the sermon. We give people an outline of the sermon so they can take notes and study on their own. Often we include discussion questions based on the passage for people to use for personal or family devotions or small group studies.

In addition to worship we have adult Bible Fellowship classes which meet the at the same time as our two services. These usually include 40 minutes of teaching and interaction led by our pastors and others in our church. In our church we have three teaching pastors so often when I am not preaching in the worship service, I teach a class.

These adult Bible Fellowship classes allow for questions and answers which helps people understand through asking questions. Additionally we have 60-100 small groups that meet during the week for Bible Study and prayer.

Teaching is an important part of what we do (and it is consistant with the Great Commission (Mt. 28:18-20). Our church mission statement is:

The mission of the Chapel on the Campus is to glorify God by making disciples of Jesus Christ. As His disciples we are called to exalt God, edify one another; evangelize the lost, and extend love and compassion to all.

My own conviction is that the unity of the Church is in truth rather than in structure and hierarchy.

Which church? and what do you mean by "truth"?

Teaching is an important part of what we do

By whose authority do you teach? Whose interpretation do you use? Methodist? Presbyterian? Lutheran, and if so which branch?

I apologize for asking so many questions but it is quite confusing to me. Why are there so many protestant churches? Who decides on which interpretation is to be used? How is this decided? What happens when there is disagreement as to interpretation?

My family tells me that my first sentence was phrased in the form of a question.