United Methodist Church

The United Methodist Church (UMC) is a worldwide

United Methodist Church
mainline Protestant[9] denomination based in the United
States, and a major part of Methodism. In the 19th century,
its main predecessor, the Methodist Episcopal Church, was a
leader in evangelicalism. The present denomination was
founded in 1968 in Dallas, Texas, by union of the Methodist
Church and the Evangelical United Brethren Church. The
UMC traces its roots back to the revival movement of John
and Charles Wesley in England, as well as the Great
Awakening in the United States.[6][10] As such, the church's
theological orientation is decidedly Wesleyan.[11] It
embraces liturgical worship, holiness, and evangelical The United Methodist Church "cross and
elements.[12][13][14][15] flame" emblem

The United Methodist Church has a connectional polity, a Abbreviation UMC

typical feature of a number of Methodist denominations. It is Classification Protestant
organized into conferences. The highest level is called the Orientation Methodist and
General Conference and is the only organization which may
United Brethren
speak officially for the UMC. The church is a member of the
World Council of Churches, the World Methodist Council, Theology Wesleyan
and other religious associations. Polity Connectionalism[1]
(modified
In 2023, it had 5,714,815 members and 30,543 churches in
episcopal polity)
the United States.[16] In 2018, worldwide, it had 12,951,427
members and 43,409 churches.[17] In 2015, the Pew President Thomas James
Research Center estimated that 3.6 percent of the US Bickerton III[2]
population, or 9 million adult adherents, identified with the President Designate Tracy Malone[3]
United Methodist Church, revealing a much larger number
Secretary L. J. Holston[4]
of adherents than registered membership.[18]
Annual Conferences 132
On January 3, 2020, a group of the church's leaders Episcopal areas 66
proposed a plan to split the United Methodist Church over
issues of sexual orientation (particularly same-sex marriage) Associations World Council of
and create a new traditionalist Methodist denomination, Churches
which is called the Global Methodist Church,[19][20][21] Churches Uniting
though before its establishment, some congregations already in Christ
left to join the Free Methodist Church, a traditionalist Christian
Methodist denomination that is aligned with the Wesleyan- Churches
holiness movement.[22][23] Together
National Council
History of Churches
Wesleyan
Holiness
Church origins Consortium
The movement which would become the United Methodist Christian Holiness
Church began in the mid-18th century within the Church of Partnership
England. A small group of students, including John Wesley, World Methodist
Charles Wesley, and George Whitefield, met at Oxford Council
University. They focused on Bible study, methodical study
of scripture, and living a holy life. Other students mocked Founder John Wesley[5][6]
them, saying they were the "Holy Club" and "the (spiritually)
Methodists", being methodical and exceptionally detailed in Origin 1968
their Bible study, opinions, and disciplined lifestyle.
Merger of The Methodist
Eventually, the so-called Methodists started individual
Church and the
societies or classes for members of the Church of England
who wanted to live a more religious life. Evangelical United
Brethren Church
In 1735, John and Charles Wesley went to America, hoping Separations New Methodist
to teach the gospel to the Native Americans in the colony of
Conference
Georgia. Instead, John became vicar of Christ Church in
(2005)
Savannah. His preaching was legalistic and full of harsh
rules, and the congregation rejected him. After two years in Ang Iglesia
America, he returned to England dejected and confused. Metodista sa
While sailing on his original journey to America, he had Pilipinas (2011)
been impressed with the faith of the German Moravians on Global Methodist
board, and when he returned to England he spent time with Church (2022)
Peter Böhler, a German Moravian who was passing through Congregations 29,598 in the
England and who believed that a person is saved solely
US[7]
through the grace of God and not by works. John had many
conversations with Böhler about this topic. On May 25, Members 12,000,000+
1738, after listening to a reading of Martin Luther's preface (Central
to the Epistle to the Romans, John came to the Conference
understanding that his good works could not save him and numbers awaiting
he could rest in God's grace for salvation. For the first time update and
in his life, he felt peace and the assurance of salvation. 5,714,815 in the
US[8])
In less than two years, the "Holy Club" disbanded. John
Wesley met with a group of clergy, and afterwards said Ministers 83,800
"they appeared to be of one heart, as well as of one Aid organization United Methodist
judgment, resolved to be Bible-Christians at all events; and, Committee on
wherever they were, to preach with all their might plain, old,
Relief
Bible Christianity." The ministers nonetheless retained their
membership in the Church of England. Though not always Secondary schools 10
emphasized or appreciated in the Anglican churches of their Tertiary institutions 109
day, their teaching emphasized salvation by God's grace,
acquired through faith in Christ. Three teachings they saw as Official website umc.org (https://w
the foundation of Christian faith were: ww.umc.org)

1. People are all by nature dead in sin and, consequently, children of wrath.
2. They are justified by faith alone.
3. Faith produces inward and outward holiness.
These clergymen quickly became popular, attracting large
congregations. The nickname students had used against the Wesleys
was revived; they and their followers subsequently became known as
Methodists.[24]

Predecessors

The English preacher Francis Asbury arrived in America in 1771. He

became a "circuit rider", taking the gospel to the furthest reaches of the
new frontier as he had done as a preacher in England .[25] The first
official organization in the United States occurred in Baltimore,
Maryland, in 1784, with the formation of the Methodist Episcopal
Church at the Christmas Conference with Francis Asbury and Thomas
Coke as the leaders.[26][27]
Statue of John Wesley in
Though John Wesley originally wanted the Methodists to stay within Savannah, Georgia, where he
the Church of England, the American Revolution decisively separated served as a missionary
the Methodists in the American colonies from the life and sacraments
of the English Church. In
1784, after unsuccessful
attempts to have the Church
of England send a bishop to
start a new church in the
colonies, Wesley decisively
appointed fellow priest
Thomas Coke as
Superintendent (the
The ordination of Bishop Francis equivalent of a bishop) to
Asbury by Bishop Thomas Coke at organize a separate
the Christmas Conference Barratt's Chapel, built in 1780, is the
Methodist Society.
oldest Methodist church in the United
establishing the Methodist Episcopal Together with Coke,
Church, 1784 States built for that purpose. The
Wesley sent The Sunday church was a meeting place of
Service of the Methodists, Asbury and Coke.
Methodism's first liturgical
text and the Articles of Religion, which were received and adopted
by the Baltimore Christmas Conference of 1784, officially establishing the Methodist Episcopal Church.
The conference was held at the Lovely Lane Methodist Church, considered the mother church of American
Methodism.[28]

The new church grew rapidly in the young country as it employed circuit riders, many of whom were
laymen, to travel the mostly rural nation by horseback to preach the Gospel and to establish churches until
there was scarcely any village in the United States without a Methodist presence. With 4,000 circuit riders
by 1844, the Methodist Episcopal Church rapidly became the largest Protestant denomination in the
country.

St. George's United Methodist Church, located at the corner of 4th and New Streets, in the Old City
neighborhood of Philadelphia, is the oldest Methodist church in continuous use in the United States,
beginning in 1769. The congregation was founded in 1767, meeting initially in a sail loft on Dock Street,
and in 1769 it purchased the shell of a building which had been erected in 1763 by a German Reformed
congregation. At this time, Methodists had not yet broken away from the Anglican Church and the
Methodist Episcopal Church was not founded until 1784.
Richard Allen and Absalom Jones became the first African
Americans ordained by the Methodist Church. They were licensed
by Saint George's Church in 1784. Three years later, protesting
racial segregation in worship services, Allen led most of the black
members out of St. George's; eventually they founded the Mother
Bethel A.M.E. Church and the African Methodist Episcopal
Church. Absalom Jones became an Episcopal priest. In 1836, the
church's basement was excavated to make room for a Sunday
school. In the 1920s, a court case saved the church from being
demolished to make way for the Benjamin Franklin Bridge. The 19th-century Methodist hymnal,
case resulted in the bridge being relocated. Historic Saint George's Barratt's Chapel
welcomes visitors and is home to archives and a museum on
Methodism.

In the more than 220 years since 1784, Methodism in the United States, like many other Protestant
denominations, has seen a number of divisions and mergers. In 1830, the Methodist Protestant Church split
from the Methodist Episcopal Church over the issue of laity having a voice and vote in the administration
of the church, insisting that clergy should not be the only ones to have any determination in how the church
was to be operated. In 1844, the General Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church split into two
conferences because of tensions over slavery and the power of bishops in the denomination.

The two general conferences, Methodist Episcopal Church (the northern faction) and Methodist Episcopal
Church, South remained separate until 1939. That year, the northern and southern Methodist Episcopal
Churches and the Methodist Protestant Church merged to create The Methodist Church. The uniting
conference took place at First Methodist Church (now First United Methodist Church) of Marion, Indiana.

1968 merger

On April 23, 1968, the United Methodist Church was created when the Evangelical United Brethren
Church (represented by Bishop Reuben H. Mueller) and The Methodist Church (represented by Bishop
Lloyd Christ Wicke) joined hands at the constituting General Conference in Dallas, Texas. With the words,
"Lord of the Church, we are united in Thee, in Thy Church and now in The United Methodist Church"[29]
the new denomination was given birth by both churches which had distinguished histories and influential
ministries in various parts of the world.

2020–2023 schisms

The UMC has rules, found in the Book of Disciplines, that prohibit same-sex unions and the ordination of
noncelibate homosexuals, Many progressive UMC leaders and churches, especially in the United States,
are supportive of gay marriage and ignore the rules. Many conservative members of the UMC do not like
the trend of the UMC trending towards endorsing gay marriage, and hence have initiated movements to
split-off from the UMC.[30][31]

On January 3, 2020, the denomination's leadership released a proposal to split the Church over what it
described as "fundamental differences" over homosexuality, particularly same-sex marriage (see §
Homosexuality below).[20][32] The proposal would need to be approved by the General Conference in
order to take effect. The 2020 General Conference, originally scheduled to be held in Minneapolis,
Minnesota, was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[33]
In November 2020, a small group of the progressive wing announced their intention to create a new
denomination, the Liberation Methodist Connexion.[34][35] It was launched on the First Sunday in Advent
through an online service.[36] However, organizers of the Liberation Methodist Connexion announced on
18 December 2021 that no progress has been made to set up a separate denomination.[37]

In March 2021, conservative leaders of the UMC unveiled the name Global Methodist Church for the new
traditionalist denomination, along with a new website and logo. The next General Conference is set for
2024.[38] At that time, delegates are expected to vote on the Protocol for Reconciliation and Grace through
Separation.[39] The conservative Transitional Leadership Council said the Global Methodist Church would
be officially started, with individual churches or conferences able to join, when the General Conference
adopts legislation implementing the Protocol, although the Council "will consider bringing the new church
into existence without delay" "if it becomes apparent" that leaders "who covenanted to support the Protocol
no longer do so."[40] Not wanting to wait for the General Conference to occur, some conservative United
Methodist congregations left the United Methodist Church to become a part of the Free Methodist Church,
a traditionalist Methodist denomination aligned with the holiness movement.[22][23] After the launch of the
Global Methodist Church on May 1, 2022, a number of traditionalist United Methodist churches entered
into the Global Methodist Church.[41]

On May 10, 2022, the Judicial Council of the United Methodist Church ruled that annual conferences in
the United States cannot leave the church for the Global Methodist Church. Only individual churches can
do so. The Romania-Bulgaria Conference has left the UMC. The South Georgia and Northwest Texas
conferences are making preparations to leave the UMC, but this would require UMC General conference
legislation.[42]

Early in 2022, according to the United Methodist News Service, the United Methodist Church approved
300 requests by individual churches to leave the denomination. The Wesleyan Covenant Association,
which was helping congregations join the Global Methodist Church, said 1000 more churches were
expected to have votes on leaving later in the year, and that 300 of 800 Western Pennsylvania Annual
Conference churches were considering leaving. Methodist churches and congregations in Slovakia,
Bulgaria, Croatia or Romania also expressed dissent and intentions to disaffiliate due to progressive
tendencies in the American leadership of the UMC.[43] Over 100 churches in Florida and North Carolina
had filed or were considering lawsuits. Some of the largest churches in Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana,
Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas were planning to leave. As of 2022, any church that disaffiliated would
have to pay two years of apportionments and unfunded pension liabilities.[44] Fifty-eight churches
belonging to the Louisiana Annual Conference left the United Methodist Church, with 7 congregations
being from Baton Rouge and 6 from New Orleans.[45] The disaffiliations from the conference will take into
effect after December 31, 2022.[45] St. Timothy, one of the largest Methodist churches in Louisiana, voted
for disaffiliation on November 1, 2022.[45] However, in order to prevent certain congregations from leaving
the United Methodist Church, the United Methodist Church ordered that certain churches be closed before
a congregational vote regarding disaffiliation could occur.[46][47] Several annual conferences designated
certain remaining congregations as "lighthouse congregations" which offer support to UMC parishioners
who objected to their former congregations' disaffiliation.[48]

In 2023, 5,000 American churches had left the denomination since these events.[49] As of December 5,
2023 the number of U.S. churches approved for disaffiliation stands at 7,495.[50]

Beliefs
The United Methodist Church seeks to create disciples for Christ through outreach, evangelism, and
through seeking holiness, also called sanctification, by the power of the Holy Spirit. The flame in the
church logo represents the work of the Holy Spirit in the world, and the two parts of the flame also
represent the predecessor denominations, the Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren,
united at the base symbolizing the 1968 merger.

The United Methodist Church understands itself to be part of the holy catholic (or universal) church and it
recognizes the historic ecumenical creeds,[51] the Apostles' Creed[52] and the Nicene Creed;[53] which are
used frequently in services of worship.[54] The Book of Discipline also recognizes the importance of the
Chalcedonian Creed of the Council of Chalcedon.[55] It upholds the concept of the "visible and invisible
Church," meaning that all who are truly believers in every age belong to the holy Church invisible, while
the United Methodist Church is a branch of the Church visible, to which all believers must be connected as
it is the only institution wherein the Word of God is preached and the Sacraments are administered.

Some argue that the United Methodist Church can lay a claim to apostolic succession, as understood in the
traditional sense.[56] As a result of the American Revolution, John Wesley was compelled in 1784 to break
with standard practice and ordain two of his lay preachers as presbyters, Thomas Vasey and Richard
Whatcoat. Thomas Coke, already an Anglican priest, assisted Wesley in this action. Coke was then "set
apart" as a Superintendent (bishop) by Wesley and dispatched with Vasey and Whatcoat to America to take
charge of Methodist activities there. In defense of his action to ordain, Wesley himself cited an ancient
opinion from the Church of Alexandria, which held that bishops and presbyters constituted one order and
therefore, bishops are to be elected from and by the presbyterate. He knew that for two centuries the
succession of bishops in the Church of Alexandria was preserved through ordination by presbyters alone
and was considered valid by the Early Church. Methodists today who would argue for apostolic succession
would do so on these grounds.[57]

While many United Methodist congregations operate in the evangelical tradition, others reflect the mainline
Protestant traditions. Although United Methodist practices and interpretation of beliefs have evolved over
time, these practices and beliefs can be traced to the writings of the church's founders, especially John
Wesley and Charles Wesley (Anglicans), but also Philip William Otterbein and Martin Boehm (United
Brethren), and Jacob Albright (Evangelical Association). With the formation of the United Methodist
Church in 1968, theologian Albert C. Outler led the team which systematized denominational doctrine.
Outler's work proved pivotal in the work of union, and he is largely considered the first United Methodist
theologian.

Doctrine

The officially established Doctrinal Standards of United Methodism are:

The Articles of Religion of the Methodist Church;[58]

The Confessions of Faith of the Evangelical United Brethren Church;[58]
The General Rules of the Methodist Societies;[59]
The Standard Sermons of John Wesley;[58]
John Wesley's Explanatory Notes on the New Testament.[58]
These Doctrinal Standards are constitutionally protected and nearly impossible to change or remove.[58]
Other doctrines of the United Methodist Church are found in the Book of Discipline of the United
Methodist Church.

Summary of basic beliefs

The basic beliefs of the United Methodist Church include:

Triune God. God is one God in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.[60]
The Bible. The Bible is the inspired word of God. F. Belton Joyner argues that there is a
deep division within Methodism today about what exactly this means. Questions include
whether the Bible was inspired when written (and the text today is always true and without
error), or if it is inspired when actually read by a Christian (and therefore dependent on the
interaction with the reader.) In the first case, says Joyner, the Christian is concerned only
with the precise wording of the original manuscript, without regard to historical setting. In the
other case, the reader tries to read the biblical text in terms of all of the influences of modern
thought, with little regard for the meaning offered in the ancient texts. In that Wesleyan
tradition, United Methodists balance these two extremes, aware that the same Holy Spirit
who inspired the Scriptures is alive and well to bring the written Word alive for the present.
United Methodists take seriously both the original inspiration and today's contemporary
inspiration. "...In this way, the Bible itself becomes the balancing, clarifying, even correcting
tool for understanding the Scripture. God's gifts in the written Word are so rich that they can
continue to give light and life as one digs again and again into the same Scriptures."[61][62]
Sin. While human beings were intended to bear the image of God, all humans are sinners
for whom that image is distorted. Sin estranges people from God and corrupts human nature
such that we cannot heal or save ourselves.[63]
Salvation through Jesus Christ. God's redeeming love is active to save sinners through
Jesus' incarnate life and teachings, through his atoning death, his resurrection, his
sovereign presence through history, and his promised return.[63]
Sanctification. The grace of sanctification draws one toward the gift of Christian perfection,
which Wesley described as a heart "habitually filled with the love of God and neighbor" and
as "having the mind of Christ and walking as he walked."[64] This emphasis in Methodism
has led to the heralding of the motto "Holiness unto the Lord".[65]
Sacraments. United Methodists recognize two sacraments: Holy Baptism and Holy
Communion. Other rites such as Confirmation, Ordination, Holy Matrimony, Funerals, and
Anointing of the Sick are performed but not considered sacraments. In Holy Baptism, the
Church believes that "Baptism is not only a sign of profession and mark of difference
whereby Christians are distinguished from others that are not baptized; but it is also a sign of
regeneration or the new birth.[66] It believes that Baptism is a sacrament in which God
initiates a covenant with individuals,[67] people become a part of the Church,[67] is not to be
repeated,[67] and is a means of grace.[68] The United Methodist Church generally practices
Baptism by sprinkling, pouring, or immersion[69] and uses the Trinitarian formula.[70] United
Methodists also recognize as valid baptisms performed in several other Christian
denominations.[71] The Church practices and encourages infant baptism; when persons
baptized as infants mature, they may confirm (or reject) the baptismal vows made on their
behalf as infants by families, guardians, and congregations through a process of Christian
education called Confirmation. The United Methodist Church affirms the real presence of
Christ in Holy Communion, but does not hold to the Catholic dogma of transubstantiation.[72]
The Church believes that the bread is an effectual sign of His body crucified on the cross
and the cup is an effectual sign of His blood shed for humanity.[73] Through the outward and
visible signs of bread and wine, the inward and spiritual reality of the Body and Blood of
 Christ are offered to believers. The Church holds that the celebration of the Eucharist is an
anamnesis of Jesus' death,[74] and believes the sacrament to be a means of grace,[75] and
practices open communion.[76]
Free will. The UMC believes that people, while corrupted by sin, are free to make their own
choices because of God's divine grace enabling them, and that people are truly accountable
before God for their choices.
Social Justice. The Church opposes evils such as slavery, inhumane prison conditions,
capital punishment, economic injustice, child labor, racism, and inequality.[77]

Distinctive Wesleyan emphases

The key emphasis of Wesley's theology relates to how divine grace operates within the individual. Wesley
defined the Way of Salvation as the operation of grace in at least three parts: Prevenient Grace, Justifying
Grace, and Sanctifying Grace.

Prevenient grace, or the grace that "goes before" us, is given to all people. It is that power which enables us
to love and motivates us to seek a relationship with God through Jesus Christ.[78] This grace is the present
work of God to turn us from our sin-corrupted human will to the loving will of the Father. In this work,
God desires that we might sense both our sinfulness before God and God's offer of salvation. Prevenient
grace allows those tainted by sin to nevertheless make a truly free choice to accept or reject God's salvation
in Christ.[78]

Justifying Grace or Accepting Grace[78] is that grace, offered by God to all people, that we receive by faith
and trust in Christ, through which God pardons the believer of sin. It is in justifying grace we are received
by God, in spite of our sin. In this reception, we are forgiven through the atoning work of Jesus Christ on
the cross. The justifying grace cancels our guilt and empowers us to resist the power of sin and to fully love
God and neighbor. Today, justifying grace is also known as conversion, "accepting Jesus as your personal
Lord and Savior," or being "born again."[78][79] John Wesley originally called this experience the New
Birth.[80] This experience can occur in different ways; it can be one transforming moment, such as an altar
call experience,[81] or it may involve a series of decisions across a period of time.[82]

Sanctifying Grace is that grace of God which sustains the believers in the journey toward Christian
Perfection: a genuine love of God with heart, soul, mind, and strength, and a genuine love of our neighbors
as ourselves. Sanctifying grace enables us to respond to God by leading a Spirit-filled and Christ-like life
aimed toward love. Wesley never claimed this state of perfection for himself but instead insisted the
attainment of perfection was possible for all Christians. Here the English Reformer parted company with
both Luther and Calvin, who denied that a man would ever reach a state in this life in which he could not
fall into sin. Such a man can lose all inclination to evil and can gain perfection in this life.[83]

Wesleyan theology maintains that salvation is the act of God's grace entirely, from invitation, to pardon, to
growth in holiness. Furthermore, God's prevenient, justifying, and sanctifying grace interact dynamically in
the lives of Christians from birth to death.

According to Wesleyan understanding, good works are the fruit of one's salvation, not the way in which
that salvation was earned. Faith and good works go hand in hand in Methodist theology: a living tree
naturally and inevitably bears fruit. Wesleyan theology rejects the doctrine of eternal security, believing that
salvation can be rejected.[84] Wesley emphasized that believers must continue to grow in their relationship
with Christ, through the process of Sanctification.
A key outgrowth of this theology is the United Methodist dedication not only to the Evangelical Gospel of
repentance and a personal relationship with God, but also to the Social Gospel and a commitment to social
justice issues that have included abolition, women's suffrage, labor rights, civil rights, and ministry with the
poor.

Characterization of Wesleyan theology

Methodist theology stands at a unique crossroads between evangelical, holiness and sacramental,[15] as
well as between liturgical and charismatic, and between Anglo-Catholic and Reformed worship. It has been
characterized as Wesleyan–Arminian theology with an emphasis on the work of the Holy Spirit to bring
holiness into the life of the participating believer. The United Methodist Church believes in prima scriptura,
seeing the Bible as the primary authority in the Church and using sacred tradition, reason, and experience to
interpret it, with the aid of the Holy Spirit (see Wesleyan Quadrilateral).[85] Therefore, according to The
Book of Discipline, United Methodist theology is at once "catholic, evangelical, and reformed."[86]

Today, the UMC is generally considered one of the more moderate and tolerant denominations with respect
to race, gender, and ideology, though the denomination itself includes a wide spectrum of attitudes.
Comparatively, the UMC stands to the right of liberal and progressive Protestant groups such as the United
Church of Christ and the Episcopal Church on certain issues (especially regarding sexuality), but to the left
of historically conservative evangelical traditions such as the Southern Baptists and Pentecostalism, in
regard to theological matters such as social justice and Biblical interpretation. The UMC is made up of a
broad diversity of thought, and so there are many clergy and laity within the UMC that hold differing
viewpoints on such theological matters.

Diversity within beliefs

In appealing for tolerance of diversity of theological opinions, John Wesley said, "Though we may not
think alike, may we not all love alike?" The phrase "In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all
things, charity" has also become a maxim among Methodists, who have always maintained a great diversity
of opinion on many matters within the Church.

The United Methodist Church allows for a wide range of theological and political beliefs. For example,
former President George W. Bush (R-TX), former First Lady Laura Bush and former Attorney General of
the United States, Jeff Sessions, are United Methodists, as are Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), former
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (D-NY) and former Senator Max Cleland (D-GA).

The Pew Research Center's 2014 US Religious Landscape Study concluded that the political preferences
of US adult members of the United Methodist Church was 54 percent Republican / lean Republican, 35
percent Democrat / lean Democrat, and 11 percent independent / no lean / other.[87]

Social issues

Abortion

The topic of abortion is complex for the United Methodist Church. The United Methodist Church affirms
these two sentences in The Social Principles: "Our belief in the sanctity of unborn human life makes us
reluctant to approve abortion. But we are equally bound to respect the sacredness of the life and well-being
of the mother and the unborn child." (Book of Discipline ¶161.J).[88] The denomination is committed to
"assist[ing] the ministry of crisis pregnancy centers and pregnancy resource centers that compassionately
help women find feasible alternatives to abortion."[89] In 2016, the
United Methodist General Conference voted to withdraw from the
Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice (RCRC),[90] an
organization in which it formerly held membership.[91] Annual
Conferences could still choose whether to remain a part of the
RCRC locally.[92][93][94] At the same General Conference,
delegates voted to delete a four-decade-old statement from the
Book of Resolutions which affirmed the Roe v. Wade Supreme
Court decision on the legality of abortion. A new resolution was re-
adopted 56–2 in a resolutions subcommittee, decrying gender-
selective abortion while also describing abortion as "violent" and
opposing abortions done for "trivial reasons." The resolution
passed in the daily consent agenda with no debate.[95] As an UMC clergy and laity at the 2017
official organization, however, "the General Board of Church and United Methodist event for the March
Society continues to be an advocate for a full range of safe and for Life hosted by Lifewatch,
legal reproductive health care – including, in certain cases, the Taskforce of United Methodists on
option to safely and legally end a pregnancy."[96] Abortion and Sexuality at the United
Methodist Building, Washington,
Nevertheless, the United Methodist Church holds that "while we D.C.
understand the need for women to have access to safe, legal
abortions, we also 'mourn and are committed to promoting the
diminishment of high abortion rates'."[97] and they "are equally bound to respect the sacredness of the life
and well-being of the mother, for whom devastating damage may result from an unacceptable pregnancy. In
continuity with past Christian teaching, we recognize tragic conflicts of life with life that may justify
abortion, (in the eyes of God) and in such cases we support the legal option of abortion under proper
medical procedures." [98] The Church cautions that "Governmental laws and regulations do not provide all
the guidance required by the informed Christian conscience."[98] The Church emphasizes the need of a
supportive ministry to women who have experienced abortions: "We further encourage local churches to
make available contact information for counseling agencies that offer programs to address post-abortion
stress for all seeking help."[98]

Members of the United Methodist Church who identify with the anti-abortion position come mostly from
the Confessing Movement within the denomination and have organized into the Taskforce of United
Methodists on Abortion and Sexuality (TUMAS) to further their position within the denomination.[99] On
the other side, the Methodist Federation for Social Action and United Methodist Women continue to
represent pro-choice views.[100][101]

Alcohol

Historically, the Methodist Church has supported the temperance movement.[102] John Wesley warned
against the dangers of drinking in his famous sermon, "The Use of Money",[103] and in his letter to an
alcoholic.[104][105] Today the United Methodist Church states that it "affirms our long-standing support of
abstinence from alcohol as a faithful witness to God's liberating and redeeming love for persons."[106] In
fact, the United Methodist Church uses unfermented grape juice in the sacrament of Holy Communion,
thus "expressing pastoral concern for recovering alcoholics, enabling the participation of children and
youth, and supporting the church's witness of abstinence."[107] Moreover, in 2011 and 2012, the United
Methodist Church's General Board of Church and Society called on all United Methodists to abstain from
alcohol for Lent.[108][109][110]

Capital punishment

The United Methodist Church, along with some other Methodist churches, condemns capital punishment,
saying that it cannot accept retribution or social vengeance as a reason for taking human life.[111] The
Church also holds that the death penalty falls unfairly and unequally upon marginalized persons including
the poor, the uneducated, ethnic and religious minorities, and persons with mental and emotional
illnesses.[112] The United Methodist Church also believes that Jesus explicitly repudiated the lex talionis in
Matthew 5:38–39 and abolished the death penalty in John 8:7.[111] The General Conference of the United
Methodist Church calls for its bishops to uphold opposition to capital punishment and for governments to
enact an immediate moratorium on carrying out the death penalty sentence.

Creation

The United Methodist Church, like many mainline Protestant denominations and the Roman Catholic
Church, has determined that there is no conflict between faith and the theory of evolution. Some clergy
have stated that "it's time for people of faith to accept evolution."[113] Additionally, the UMC officially
affirms the theory of evolution and "opposes introducing theories such as Creationism or Intelligent Design
into public school curriculum."[114] In 2016, the denomination denied approval for a creationist group to be
officially represented at the church's General Conference.[115]

Euthanasia

The United Methodist Church is opposed to euthanasia and assisted suicide. The official stance mentions
that "The church has an obligation to see that all persons have access to needed pastoral and medical care
and therapy in those circumstances that lead to loss of self-worth, suicidal despair, and/or the desire to seek
physician-assisted suicide." It also states that "If death is deliberately sought as the means to relieve
suffering, that must be understood as direct and intentional taking of life ... The United Methodist tradition
opposes the taking of life as an offense against God's sole dominion over life, and an abandonment of hope
and humility before God."[116]

The United Methodist Church, represented by Bishop Scott Jones of the Texas Annual Conference, on
behalf of the Houston Methodist Research Institute, and the Roman Catholic Church, represented by
Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, of the Pontifical Academy for Life, signed a "Joint Declaration on the End of
Life and Palliative Care", on 17 September 2018, reaffirming the common stance of both denominations in
opposing euthanasia.[117]

Gambling

The United Methodist Church opposes gambling, believing that it is a sin which feeds on human greed and
which invites people to place their trust in possessions, rather than in God, whom Christians should "love ...
with all your heart."[118][119] It quotes the Apostle Paul who states:
 But those who want to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many senseless and
harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of
all kinds of evil, and in their eagerness to be rich some have wandered away from the faith and
pierced themselves with many pains.

— 1 Tim. 6:9-10a[120]

The United Methodist Church therefore holds that:

Gambling is a menace to society, deadly to the best interests of moral, social, economic, and
spiritual life, and destructive of good government. As an act of faith and concern, Christians
should abstain from gambling and should strive to minister to those victimized by the
practice.[119]
Where gambling has become addictive, the Church will encourage such individuals to
receive therapeutic assistance so that the individual's energies may be redirected into
positive and constructive ends.[119]
The Church should promote standards and personal lifestyles that would make unnecessary
and undesirable the resort to commercial gambling—including public lotteries—as a
recreation, as an escape, or as a means of producing public revenue or funds for support of
charities or government.[119]

Gun control

The United Methodist Church supports federal legislative efforts for strict gun control measures in the
United States, and outright bans of most weapons in other nations.[121] The Church also declares all of its
churches to be "a weapon-free zone."[122]

Homosexuality

According to The United Methodist Book of Discipline (a new

edition of which is usually approved by the United Methodist
General Conference every four years), the Church "affirm[s] that
all persons are individuals of sacred worth, created in the image of
God" and encourages United Methodists to be in ministry with and
for all people.[123] In accordance with its view of Scripture,[124]
the Church considers "the practice of homosexuality (to be)
incompatible with Christian teaching."[125] It states that "self- Sand Point Community United
avowed practicing homosexuals" cannot be ordained as Methodist Church in Seattle flies a
ministers,[126] and supports "…laws in civil society that define pride flag, April 2014.
marriage as the union of one man and one woman." [127][128][129]

However, this official position remains controversial and hotly

debated within the denomination; for instance, the Western Jurisdiction of the UMC voted to elect the
denomination's first openly gay bishop.[130] According to polling from Pew Research, the majority of
United Methodists in the US support the inclusion of homosexual persons, 60 percent of United Methodists
said "homosexuality should be accepted by society", and 40 percent supported same-sex marriage.[131]

The United Methodist Church prohibits same-sex unions.[128] Clergy are officially prohibited from
overseeing the vows or signing the union or marriage license, but clergy can offer the premarital
counseling, prayers, the homily at the wedding, or read the scriptures.[132][133] It also forbids any United
Methodist board, agency, committee, commission, or council to give United Methodist funds to any gay
organization or group, or otherwise use such funds to promote the acceptance of homosexuality.[128]
Jimmy Creech was defrocked after a highly publicized church trial in 1999 on account of his participation
in same-sex union ceremonies.[134] Other ministers have been defrocked for officiating at same-sex
weddings and several trials of others are scheduled.[135] Frank Schaefer, who was defrocked and penalized
because he had officiated his son's same-sex wedding, was in 2014, re-instated as "the denomination's top
court upheld a June decision by a regional appeals committee to reinstate Schaefer's ministerial
credentials."[136] Other clergy, who officiated at same-sex marriages, have avoided trials.[137][138] In 2016,
it was announced that Val Rosenquist "will avoid a church trial and keep her job after she co-officiated with
retired Bishop Melvin Talbert at the April same-gender wedding of two church members." [139] In 2016, the
Judicial Council further ruled against mandatory penalties for clergy leaving the current options in
place.[140] Nevertheless, the United Methodist Church "implore[s] families and churches not to reject or
condemn lesbian and gay members and friends" and commits itself to be in ministry with all persons,
affirming that God's grace, love, and forgiveness is available to all.[141] Also, while "clergy cannot preside
over the wedding ceremony...bishops say, clergy can assist same-gender couples in finding other venues for
their wedding; provide pre-marital counseling; attend the ceremony; read Scripture, pray or offer a
homily."[142] The denomination also, for non-ordained employees, decided that "now same-sex spouses of
some church employees can receive church benefits" if the state or country allows same-sex
marriage.[143][144]

In 1971, Gene Leggett was defrocked for being homosexual in southern Texas.[145] In 1987, a United
Methodist church court in New Hampshire defrocked Methodist minister Rose Mary Denman for openly
living with a same-sex partner.[146] In 2005, clergy credentials were removed from Irene Elizabeth Stroud
after she was convicted in a church trial of violating church law by engaging in a lesbian relationship; this
conviction was later upheld by the Judicial Council, the highest court in the denomination.[147] The Judicial
Council also affirmed that a Virginia pastor had the right to deny local church membership to a man in an
openly gay relationship. This affirmation, however, was based upon a senior pastor's right to judge the
readiness of a congregant to join as a full member of the church.[148] On the other hand, hundreds of
United Methodist ministers have openly defied the official position of the United Methodist Church and
have publicly revealed their "lesbian, gay or bisexual" sexual orientation, an action that could result in their
suspension.[149] The official website of the United Methodist Church reported that "Retired United
Methodist Bishop Melvin Talbert, for the second time, has defied church law to officiate at a ceremony
celebrating the union of two men."[150] One Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church, the New
York Annual Conference, has voiced disagreement with the denomination's official stance on
homosexuality and "announced it would not consider sexual orientation in evaluating a clergy
candidate."[151] The New York body also ordained the first openly gay and lesbian clergy.[152] In addition,
the Baltimore-Washington Conference of the UMC approved the appointment of an openly partnered
lesbian to the diaconate.[153] In 2016, the Western Jurisdiction elected the denomination's first openly and
partnered lesbian bishop.[154] While not elected, the UMC reported that the North Central Jurisdiction
considered the nomination of an openly gay pastor for bishop.[155] Additionally, the Northeastern
Jurisdiction passed a resolution calling for change to The Book of Discipline.[156]

However, two United Methodist bishops "voided two resolutions in the Northeastern United States that
called for defying church restrictions."[157] Similarly, the United Methodist Bishops of the Central
Conferences of Africa unanimously called for "unreserved commitment to the Holy Bible as the primary
authority for faith and practice in the Church" and proclaimed that "sexual relations are affirmed only
within the covenant bond of a faithful monogamous, heterosexual marriage, and not within same-sex
unions or polygamy."[158][159][160] At the same time, the Alabama-West Florida Conference" passed
resolutions upholding the denomination's rules on homosexuality" and the Eastern Pennsylvania
Conference "approved a resolution that urges the conference to demand clergy accountability to the
Discipline's 'rules of our common covenant,' and to call upon clergy to challenge those rules only 'through
legitimate channels of holy conferencing, rather than breaking that covenant.'"[161] The Southeastern
Jurisdiction also voted to maintain the current language in The Book of Discipline.[162]

Although there is no official policy, the Judicial Council of the UMC ruled, in 2008, that ordained
transgender pastors could serve in congregations within the denomination.[163] In particular, the first openly
transgender pastor within the UMC received overwhelming support from his congregation.[164] In 2016,
the South Carolina Annual Conference passed a resolution urging support for non-discrimination
protections for transgender people.[165] In 2017, the Northern Illinois Conference commissioned M Barclay
as a Deacon and became the first openly non-binary trans person commissioned in the denomination.[166]

On April 28, 2017, the Judicial Council ruled that consecrating a bishop in a same-sex marriage or
partnership is a violation of church law and that public marriage records could be considered as evidence of
self-avowed homosexuality. In regards to the specific case of Bishop Karen Oliveto, the denomination's
first openly gay bishop, the Judicial Council ruled that she "remains in good standing" pending the outcome
of any administrative or judicial processes initiated within the Western Jurisdiction, since the Judicial
Council itself does not have jurisdiction to review Bishop Oliveto's status.[167][168] The Judicial Council
also ruled that Boards of Ordained Ministry must evaluate all candidates regarding issues of sexuality.[169]

On May 7, 2018, the Council of Bishops in the United Methodist Church proposed allowing individual
pastors and regional church bodies to decide whether to ordain LGBT clergy and perform same-sex
weddings.[170] However, on February 26, 2019, a special session of the General Conference rejected this
proposal, and voted to strengthen its official opposition to same-sex marriages and ordaining openly LGBT
clergy.[171] The vote was 53 percent in favor of the Traditional Plan, the plan maintaining and
strengthening the official position, to 47 percent opposed.[125] The Judicial Council had already ruled some
parts of the Traditional Plan to be unconstitutional.[172][173] The delegates also voted to send the plan for
further review by the Judicial Council.[174][175] In March 2019, the German Central Conference
announced that it would not be imposing the Traditional Plan.[176] While the US jurisdictions and regional
bodies are unable to adapt the Book of Discipline like the Central Conferences, the Western Jurisdiction
declared their disagreement with the Traditional Plan and vowed to maintain LGBTQ inclusive
policies.[177] In April 2019, the Judicial Council ruled on the 17 petitions of the Traditional Plan, upholding
10 as valid and rejecting 7 as unconstitutional.[178][179]

On January 3, 2020, some denominational leaders along with various advocacy groups submitted a plan
called, “Protocol of Reconciliation and Grace through Separation,” to split the church over what it
described as "fundamental differences" over issues pertaining to sexual orientation and gender identity,
particularly same-sex marriage. The “Protocol of Reconciliation and Grace through Separation” plan would
create a new traditionalist Methodist denomination, with the existing church moving to more acceptance of
non-heterosexual and gender-nonconforming identities. The church's General Conference was expected to
vote on the plan in May 2020.[19][20][21] The plan would have needed to be approved in May 2020 by the
General Conference. It would grant the new denomination $25 million and would allow local churches to
vote to affiliate with the new denomination and keep their assets if they leave.[19][20] The vote was later
postponed to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[180] Progressives too announced the creation of a new
denomination in November 2020, the Liberation Methodist Connexion.[34][35] In 2022, the Western
Jurisdiction elected a second openly gay bishop, Cedrick Bridgeforth.[181][182]

Military service
According to The Book of Resolutions of The United Methodist Church, "The United Methodist Church
calls upon all who choose to take up arms or who order others to do so to evaluate their actions in
accordance with historic church teaching limiting resort to war, including questions of proportionality, legal
authority, discrimination between combatants and noncombatants, just cause, and probability of
success...."[183]

The United Methodist Church opposes conscription as incompatible with the teaching of Scripture.[184]
Therefore, the Church supports and extends its ministry to those persons who conscientiously oppose all
war, or any particular war, and who therefore refuse to serve in the armed forces or to cooperate with
systems of military conscription. However, the United Methodist Church also supports and extends its
ministry to those persons who conscientiously choose to serve in the armed forces or to accept alternative
service. The church also states that "as Christians they are aware that neither the way of military action, nor
the way of inaction is always righteous before God."[184]

The United Methodist Church maintains that war is incompatible with Christ's message and teachings.
Therefore, the Church rejects war as an instrument of national foreign policy, to be employed only as a last
resort in the prevention of such evils as genocide, brutal suppression of human rights, and unprovoked
international aggression.[185] It insists that the first moral duty of all nations is to resolve by peaceful means
every dispute that arises between or among them; that human values must outweigh military claims as
governments determine their priorities; that the militarization of society must be challenged and stopped;
that the manufacture, sale, and deployment of armaments must be reduced and controlled; and that the
production, possession, or use of nuclear weapons be condemned. Consequently, the United Methodist
Church endorses general and complete disarmament under strict and effective international control.[185]

The United Methodist Church, like many Mainline Protestant denominations in the U.S., has a long
tradition of providing ordained military chaplains who serve in all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces.[186]

Pornography

The United Methodist Church teaches that pornography is "about violence, degradation, exploitation, and
coercion" and "deplore[s] all forms of commercialization, abuse, and exploitation of sex."[187] The Sexual
Ethics Task Force of The United Methodist Church states that "Research shows it [pornography] is not an
'innocent activity.' It is harmful and is generally addictive. Persons who are addicted to pornography are
physiologically altered, as is their perspective, relationships with parishioners and family, and their
perceptions of girls and women."[188]

Stem cell research

The UMC supports federal funding for research on embryos created for in vitro fertilization that remain
after the procreative efforts have ceased, if the embryos were provided for research instead of being
destroyed, were not obtained by sale, and those donating had given prior informed consent for the research
purposes.[189] The UMC stands in "opposition to the creation of embryos for the sake of research" as "a
human embryo, even at its earliest stages, commands our reverence."[189] It supports research on stem cells
retrieved from umbilical cords and adult stem cells, stating that there are "few moral questions" raised by
this issue.[189]

Worship and liturgy

The United Methodist Church includes a variety of approaches to public
worship. The common pattern of worship is found in the official liturgies of
the church, while the practices of congregations across the denomination
are quite diverse.

The common pattern comes from John Wesley, who wrote that "there is no
Liturgy in the world, either in ancient or modern language, which breathes
more of a solid, scriptural, rational piety, than the Common Prayer of the
Church of England."[190] When the Methodists in America were separated
from the Church of England, John Wesley himself provided a revised
version of The Book of Common Prayer called The Sunday Service of the
Methodists; With Other Occasional Services. Wesley's Sunday Service has
shaped the official liturgies of the Methodists ever since.
An Advent wreath in the
Like other historic Christian churches, the United Methodist Church has chancel of Broadway United
official liturgies for services of Holy Communion, baptism, weddings, Methodist Church, located in
funerals, ordination, anointing of the sick and daily office prayer services. New Philadelphia, Ohio
Some clergy offer healing services, while exorcism is an occasional
practice by some clergy in The United Methodist Church in
Africa.[191][192][193][194] These services involve the laying on of hands and anointing with oil.[195] Along
with these, there are also special services for holy days such as All Saints Day, Ash Wednesday, Maundy
Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Vigil. These services are contained in The United Methodist Hymnal
and The United Methodist Book of Worship (1992).[196] Many of these liturgies are derived from the
Anglican tradition's Book of Common Prayer. In most cases, congregations also use other elements of
liturgical worship, such as candles, optional use of incense at evening prayer, vestments, paraments,
banners, and liturgical art.

Typical worship services in United Methodism will include:

Singing. Since the days of Charles Wesley, the hymn-writer and early Methodist leader,
lively singing has been, and remains, an important aspect of United Methodist worship. The
church publishes an official hymnal, The United Methodist Hymnal, for use in churches, and
allows for music ranging from hymns to contemporary worship music to be played as part of
the service.
A Biblical Message. Listening to the reading of Scripture and a sermon based upon the
Biblical text is virtually always included in United Methodist worship. Many United Methodist
churches follow the Revised Common Lectionary for their Sunday Bible readings.
Prayer. Many churches include a time of response or a prayer time in which people may
share concerns or pray with ministers. This time of response may include celebrations of
baptism, confirmation, or profession of faith.[197]
Holy Communion. Some congregations celebrate communion on the first Sunday of the
month and a few celebrate it only quarterly. A growing number of congregations celebrate
the sacrament of Holy Communion on a weekly basis, as John Wesley himself encouraged
his followers to practice.[198] In adopting the statement on Holy Communion entitled This
Holy Mystery in 2004, the General Conference of the Church urged congregations to move
toward weekly celebration of communion and to use the official liturgies of the church when
doing so.[199]
Lovefeast. Many congregations celebrate the Lovefeast (also known as the Agape Feast) on
a quarterly basis, which is accompanied by the partaking of bread and water, as well as the
sharing of testimonies, Scripture readings and hymn singing.[200]
Giving. Almost every service has an opportunity for those gathered to give of their "tithes and
offerings" to support the ministry of that particular congregation. Through apportionments, a
 portion of those gifts go to Christian ministries that have a national or global impact.

Many larger United Methodist congregations have incorporated more contemporary styles of music and
audio-visual technology into some of their worship services, though these churches generally also offer
more traditional services.

As John Wesley advocated outdoor evangelism, revival services are a traditional worship practice of
Methodism that are often held in United Methodist churches, as well as at outdoor camp meetings and at
tent revivals.[15][201][202]

The chancel of United Methodist churches usually features a lectern and baptismal font on one side of the
altar table and a pulpit on the other side.[203] The chancel also features the Christian Flag and sometimes, a
processional cross.[204][205] The chancel is often delimited by chancel rails, sometimes with a mourner's
bench in front of it.[206]

Order of worship

A typical United Methodist order of worship may include the following elements:[207]

Gathering
Prelude
Chiming of the Hour
The Procession
Lighting of the Candles
Voluntary
Introit (choral)
Call to Worship
Opening Prayer
Invocation
Announcements
Welcoming/Greeting
Passing the Peace
Hymn of Praise
Act of Praise
Responsive Reading An Elder presides over Holy
Gloria Patri Communion

Prayers
Joys and Concerns
Prayer of Confession
Absolution
The Lord's Prayer
Pastoral Prayer
Collect
Prayer of Intercession
Bidding Prayer
 Prayer of the People

Proclamation
Choral Anthem
Choral Worship
Drama Presentation
The Lessons
(Old Testament/Psalm/Epistle/Gospel)
Prayer of Illumination
Hymn of Preparation
Time of Personal Witness / Testimony
Children's Sermon / Moments
Introduction of the Preacher
Sermon

Response
Affirmation of Faith
Litany of Response
Altar Call and Conversion
Invitation to Discipleship
Offertory
Doxology
Hymn of Response

Going forth
Benediction
Closing Prayer
Extinguishing of the Candles
Choral Response
The Recessional
Postlude

Saints

The United Methodist Church's understanding of a "saint" is not unique among Protestants, yet differs
significantly from the Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Anglican, and Lutheran views. Methodists do
not have a process for electing people to sainthood. They do not pray to saints, nor do they believe that
saints serve as mediators to God. The denomination considers all faithful Christians to be saints.

Methodist institutions may be named after a biblical figure (e.g., "St. James UMC"). Methodists also honor
notable heroes and heroines of the Christian faith and look to these prominent saints as providing examples
of holy living and commitment to Christ that are worthy of imitation.[208] Such exemplary saints include
martyrs, confessors of the Faith, evangelists, or important biblical figures such as Saint Matthew. Lutheran
theologian and martyr to the Nazis Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Salvation Army Founder William Booth, African
missionary David Livingstone and Methodism's revered founder John Wesley are among many cited as
Protestant saints.[209]

Article XIV of The United Methodist Articles of Religion explicitly rejects "invocation of saints" (praying
to saints). The text reads "—Of Purgatory—The Romish doctrine concerning purgatory, pardon,
worshiping, and adoration, as well of images as of relics, and also invocation of saints, is a fond thing,
vainly invented, and grounded upon no warrant of Scripture, but repugnant to the Word of God."[210]

Organization

Governance

The church is decentralized with the General Conference being the

official governing body. However, administratively the church has
a governing structure that is similar to that of the United States
government:

General Conference—The legislative branch that makes

all decisions as to doctrine and polity. Hartzell Memorial United Methodist
Council of Bishops—When taken into consideration church in Chicago, United States
along with the various general agencies of the church,
takes on a role similar to an executive branch. The
Council of Bishops consists of all active and retired bishops and meets twice a year.
According to the Book of Discipline 2000, "The Church expects the Council of Bishops to
speak to the Church and from the Church to the world, and to give leadership in the quest for
Christian unity and interreligious relationships."[211] The council is presided over by a
President who serves a two-year term. The President has no official authority beyond
presiding. Administrative work is handled by the secretary of the council.[212]
Judicial Council—The judicial branch consisting of nine persons elected by the General
Conference to rule on questions of constitutionality in church law and practice.[213]

General Conference

The United Methodist Church is organized into conferences. The

highest level is called the General Conference and is the only
organization which may speak officially for the church. The
General Conference meets every four years (quadrennium).
Legislative changes are recorded in The Book of Discipline which
is revised after each General Conference. Non-legislative
Zion United Methodist Church in
resolutions are recorded in the Book of Resolutions, which is
Denmark, Wisconsin, United States
published after each General Conference, and expire after eight
years unless passed again by a subsequent session of General
Conference. The most recent General Conferences were held in Portland, Oregon in 2016,[214] and St.
Louis, Missouri, in 2019.[215] The event is currently rotated between the US jurisdictions of the church.
Bishops, councils, committees, boards, elders, etc., are not permitted to speak on behalf of the United
Methodist Church as this authority is reserved solely for the General Conference in accordance with the
Book of Discipline.
The plenary session is presided over by an active bishop who has been selected by a committee of
delegates to the conference. It is not uncommon for different bishops to preside on different days. The
presiding officer is usually accompanied by parliamentarians.[216]

The church had planned for a conference outside of the United States for the first time in history in 2024.
These plans were established in 2015 for the first meeting. However, these plans were cancelled because
organizers were unable to find a convention space that would be available for two weeks to host the global
gathering. Sara Hotchkiss, business manager for the Commission on General Conference stated:

"No one has done anything wrong, or there's no reason not to go. It's just simply when we did
a bid process, the facilities needed for the length of our conference were not available,"[217]

Jurisdictional and central conferences

Subordinate to the General Conference are the jurisdictional and central conferences which also meet every
four years. The United States is divided into five jurisdictions: Northeastern, Southeastern, North Central,
South Central and Western. Outside the United States the church is divided into seven central conferences:
Africa, Congo, West Africa, Central & Southern Europe, Germany, Northern Europe and Eurasia, and the
Philippines. The main purpose of the jurisdictional and central conferences is to elect and appoint bishops,
the chief administrators of the church. Additionally, central conferences may limitedly adapt the church law
to the needs of their areas.[218] Bishops thus elected serve episcopal areas, which consist of one or more
annual conferences.

In the US, decisions in-between the four-year meetings are made by the Mission Council (usually
consisting of church bishops). One of the most high-profile decisions in recent years by one of the councils
was a decision by the Mission Council of the South Central Jurisdiction which in March 2007 approved a
99-year lease of 36 acres (150,000 m2 ) at Southern Methodist University for the George W. Bush
Presidential Library. The decision generated controversy in light of Bush's support of the Iraq War which
the church bishops have criticized.[219] A debate over whether the decision should or could be submitted
for approval by the Southern Jurisdictional Conference at its July 2008 meeting in Dallas, Texas, remains
unresolved.[220]

Judicial Council

The Judicial Council is the highest court in the denomination.[221] It consists of nine members, who are
elected by the General Conference for an eight-year term. Its membership consists of both laity and clergy:
the ratio of laity to clergy alternates every eight years.[222] The Judicial Council interprets the Book of
Discipline between sessions of General Conference, and during General Conference, the Judicial Council
rules on the constitutionality of laws passed by General Conference. The Council also determines whether
actions of local churches, annual conferences, church agencies, and bishops are in accordance with church
law. The Council reviews all decisions of law made by bishops.[223] The Judicial Council cannot create
any legislation; it can only interpret existing legislation. The Council meets twice a year at various locations
throughout the world. The Judicial Council also hears appeals from those who have been accused of
chargeable offenses that can result in defrocking or revocation of membership.

Annual conference
The annual conference, roughly the equivalent of a diocese in the Anglican Communion and the Roman
Catholic Church or a synod in some Lutheran denominations such as the Evangelical Lutheran Church in
America, is the basic unit of organization within the UMC. The term annual conference is often used to
refer to the geographical area it covers as well as the frequency of meeting. Clergy are members of their
annual conference rather than of any local congregation, and are appointed to a local church or other charge
annually by the conference's resident bishop at the meeting of the annual conference. In many ways, the
United Methodist Church operates in a connectional organization of the annual conferences, and actions
taken by one conference are not binding upon another.

Districts

Annual conferences are further divided into districts, each served by a district superintendent. The district
superintendents are also appointed annually from the ordained elders of the annual conference by the
bishop. District superintendents, upon completion of their service as superintendent, routinely return to
serving local congregations. The annual conference cabinet is composed of the bishop and the district
superintendents.

Local churches

The Book of Discipline is the guidebook for local churches and pastors and describes in considerable detail
the organizational structure of local United Methodist churches. All UM churches must have a board of
trustees with at least three members and no more than nine members and it is recommended that no gender
should hold more than a 2/3 majority. All churches must also have a nominations committee, a finance
committee and a church council or administrative council. Other committees are suggested but not required
such as a missions committee, or evangelism or worship committee. Term limits are set for some
committees but not for all. The church conference is an annual meeting of all the officers of the church and
any interested members. This committee has the exclusive power to set pastors' salaries (compensation
packages for tax purposes) and to elect officers to the committees.

Administrative offices

There is no official headquarters of the UMC although many of its biggest

administrative offices are in Nashville, Tennessee, and are physically
located near Vanderbilt University (which has historic Methodist ties but is
no longer associated with the church).

While the General Conference is the only organization that can officially
speak for the United Methodist Church as a whole, there are 13 agencies,
boards and commissions of the general church. These organizations address
specific topic areas of denomination-wide concern with administrative
offices throughout the United States.[224]

Discipleship Ministries (Nashville, Tennessee)

Wespath Benefits and Investments (Glenview, Illinois) Interchurch Center in New
York City, headquarters of
General Board of Church and Society (Washington, D.C.)
the UMW
General Board of Global Ministries (Atlanta, Georgia) (GBGM)
(http://www.umcmission.org)
United Methodist Committee on Relief (Atlanta, GA)
 General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM) (Nashville, TN) (GBHEM) (https://
www.gbhem.org)
General Commission on Archives and History (Madison, New Jersey) (GCAH) (http://www.g
cah.org)
General Commission on Religion and Race (Washington, DC) (GCORR) (http://www.gcorr.o
rg)
General Commission on the Status and Role of Women (Chicago) (GCSRW) (http://www.gc
srw.org)
General Commission on United Methodist Men (Nashville, Tennessee) (GCUMM) (http://ww
w.gcumm.org)
General Council on Finance and Administration (Nashville, Tennessee) (GCFA) (http://www.
gcfa.org)
United Methodist Communications (Nashville, Tennessee) (UMCom) (http://www.umcom.or
g)
United Methodist Publishing House (Nashville, Tennessee)
United Methodist Women (New York City, New York) (UMW) (http://www.unitedmethodistwo
men.org)

United Methodist Volunteers in Mission

United Methodist Volunteers in Mission (UMVIM) is the short-term mission arm of the United
Methodist Church. UMVIM coordinates mission projects for over 100,000 United Methodist volunteers
every year.[225] UMVIM coordinates over 400 international development projects.[226]

Education
Throughout its history, the United Methodist Church has placed
great emphasis on the importance of education. As such, the United
Methodist Church established and is affiliated with around one
hundred colleges and universities in the United States, including
American University, Syracuse University,[228] Boston
University,[229] Emory University, Duke University,[230] Drew
University,[231] University of Denver, University of Evansville,
and Southern Methodist University.[232] Most are members of the
International Association of Methodist-related Schools, Colleges,
Hendricks Chapel at Syracuse
and Universities. The church operates three hundred sixty schools
University, New York. The university
and institutions overseas.
maintains a relationship with the
UMC.[227]
There are 13 United Methodist seminaries.[233] The United
Methodist Church among Christian churches has a highly educated
membership, with 37% of members holding graduate or post-
graduate degrees.[234][235] The church also claims a disproportionate share of high-income earners.[236]

Clergy
United Methodist clergy consist of elders, local pastors, associate members and deacons. They hold
membership in the annual conference and not in the local church. Additionally provisional clergy hold
membership in the annual conference while they are under appointment to a local church or extension
ministry. There are several offices of ministry within the United Methodist Church.
Certified lay ministers may also be appointed to serve a church but under the supervision and direction of
an elder.

History

The first Methodist clergy were ordained by John Wesley, a priest of the Church of England, because of the
crisis caused by the American Revolution which isolated the Methodists in the States from the Church of
England and its sacraments. Today, the clergy includes men and women who are ordained by bishops as
elders and deacons and are appointed to various ministries. Elders in the United Methodist Church itinerate
and are subject to the authority and appointment of their bishops. They generally serve as pastors in local
congregations. Deacons are in service ministry and may serve as musicians, liturgists, educators, business
administrators, and a number of other areas. Elders and deacons are required to obtain a master's degree
(generally an M.Div.), or another equivalent degree, before commissioning and then ultimately ordination.
Elders in full connection are each a member of their Annual Conference Order of Elders. Likewise each
deacon in full connection is a member of their Annual Conference Order of Deacons.[237]

Ordination of women

The Methodist Church has allowed ordination of women with full rights of clergy since 1956, when Maud
K. Jensen was ordained and admitted into full connection in the Central Pennsylvania Annual
Conference.[238] This action was based upon its understanding of biblical principles.[239][240] The United
Methodist Church, along with some other Protestant churches, holds that when the historical contexts
involved are understood, a coherent Biblical argument can be made in favor of women's ordination.[241]

Bishop

All clergy appointments are made and fixed annually by the resident bishop on the advice of the Annual
Conference Cabinet, which is composed of the Area Provost/Dean (if one is appointed) and the several
district superintendents of the districts of the Annual Conference. Until the bishop has read the
appointments at the session of the Annual Conference, no appointments are officially fixed. Many Annual
Conferences try to avoid making appointment changes between sessions of Annual Conference. While an
appointment is made one year at a time, it is most common for an appointment to be continued for multiple
years. Appointment tenures in extension ministries, such as military chaplaincy, campus ministry, missions,
higher education and other ministries beyond the local church are often even longer.

Elder

Elders are called by God, affirmed by the church, and ordained by a bishop to a ministry of Word,
Sacrament, Order and Service within the church. They may be appointed to the local church, or to other
valid extension ministries of the church. Elders are given the authority to preach the Word of God,
administer the sacraments of the church, to provide care and counseling, and to order the life of the church
for ministry and mission. Elders may also be appointed to extension ministry to serve as district
superintendents, and they are eligible for election to the episcopacy. Elders serve a term of 2–3 years as
provisional elders prior to their ordination.

Deacon
Deacons are called by God, affirmed by the church, and ordained by a bishop to servant leadership within
the church.They are ordained to ministries of word, service, compassion, and justice. They may be
appointed to ministry within the local church or to an extension ministry that supports the mission of the
church. Deacons give leadership, preach the Word, contribute in worship, conduct marriages, bury the
dead, and aid the church in embodying its mission within the world. Deacons assist elders in the sacraments
of Holy Communion and Baptism, and may be granted sacramental authority if they are appointed as the
pastor in a local church or as their extension ministry requires, upon approval of the bishop. Deacons serve
a term of 2–3 years as provisional deacons prior to their ordination.

Provisional clergy

At the 1996 General Conference, the ordination order of transitional deacon was abolished. This created
new orders known as "provisional elder" or "provisional deacon" for those who seek to be ordained in the
respective orders. The provisional elder/deacon is a seminary graduate who serves at least two years in full-
time appointments after being commissioned. During this period, the provisional elder may be granted
sacramental ministry in their local appointment. For the first time in its history non-ordained pastors became
a normal expectation, rather than an extraordinary provision for ministry.

Local pastors

Local pastors are called by God, affirmed by the church, and appointed by a bishop to a ministry of Word,
Sacrament, Order and Service within the church. The local pastors are given the authority to preach the
Word of God, administer the sacraments of the church, to provide care and counseling, and to order the life
of the church for ministry and mission, but are not ordained. When elders are not available to be appointed
to a local church, either through shortage of personnel or financial hardship of a pastoral charge, the bishop
may appoint a "local pastor" to serve the pastoral appointment. Local pastors are often bi-vocational, living
out their ministerial call in the local church and in their field of employment. Full-time and part-time
licensed local pastors under appointment are clergy and hold membership in the annual conference and not
in the local church. A local pastor's official title is licensed local pastor and is appointed as clergy to the
local church where they preach, conduct divine worship and perform the regular duties of a pastor.[242] The
licensed local pastor has the authority of a pastor only within the context and during the time of the
appointment and shall not extend beyond it.[243] Local pastors are not required to have advanced degrees
but are required to attend licensing school and continue education by attending an approved course of study
at an approved United Methodist seminary or course of study school, or enroll in M.Div studies at an
approved United Methodist seminary. To continue towards associate membership in the annual conference,
they must successfully complete written and oral examinations, and appear before the District Committee
on Ministry and the Conference Board of Ordained Ministry, as well as meet certain age and service
requirements. They also may continue towards ordination if they complete their bachelor's degree,
requirements of their particular Conference Board of Ordained Ministry, as well as an advanced course or
study or prescribed seminary courses at an approved seminary. Upon retirement, or when no longer
appointed to a local church, local pastors return to a charge conference as lay members.

Laity
There are two classes of lay membership in the UMC: Baptized Members and Professing Members.

The United Methodist Church (UMC) practices infant and adult baptism. Baptized Members are those who
have been baptized as an infant or child, but who have not subsequently professed their own faith. These
Baptized Members become Professing Members through confirmation and sometimes the profession of
faith. Individuals who were not previously baptized are baptized as part of their profession of faith and thus
become Professing Members in this manner. Individuals may also become a Professing Member through
transfer from another Christian denomination.[244]

Unlike confirmation and profession of faith, Baptism is a sacrament in the UMC. The Book of Discipline of
the United Methodist Church directs the local church to offer membership preparation or confirmation
classes to all people, including adults.[245] The term confirmation is generally reserved for youth, while
some variation on membership class is generally used for adults wishing to join the church. The Book of
Discipline normally allows any youth at least completing sixth grade to participate, although the pastor has
discretionary authority to allow a younger person to participate. In confirmation and membership
preparation classes, students learn about Church and the Methodist-Christian theological tradition in order
to profess their ultimate faith in Christ.

Lay members are extremely important in the UMC. The Professing Members are part of all major decisions
in the church. General, Jurisdictional, Central, and Annual Conferences are all required to have an equal
number of laity and clergy.

In a local church, many decisions are made by an administrative board or council. This council is made up
of laity representing various other organizations within the local church. The elder or local pastor sits on the
council as a voting member.[246]

Additionally, Laity may serve the church in several distinct roles including:

Lay servant

Another position in the United Methodist Church is that of the lay servant. Although not considered clergy,
lay servants often preach during services of worship when an ordained elder, Local Pastor, Associate
Member or deacon is unavailable.[247][248] There are two categories of lay servants: local church lay
servant,[249] who serve in and through their local churches, and certified lay servants, who serve in their
own churches, in other churches, and through district or conference projects and programs.[249] To be
recognized as local church lay servant, they must be recommended by their pastor and Church Council or
Charge Conference, and complete the basic course for lay servant. Each year they must reapply, reporting
how they have served and continued to learn during that year.[249] To be recognized as certified lay
servant, they must be recommended by their pastor and Church Council or Charge Conference, complete
the basic course and one advanced lay servant course, and be interviewed by the District or Conference
Committee on Lay Speaking. They must report and reapply annually; and they must complete at least one
advanced course every three years.[249]

Certified lay ministers

The 2004 General Conference created another class of ministry, the certified lay minister (CLM). CLMs are
not considered clergy but instead remain lay members of the United Methodist Church. A Certified Lay
Minister (CLM) is a qualified United Methodist layperson called to congregational leadership as part of a
ministry team under the supervision an ordained minister. Paragraph 271 in the 2012 Book of Discipline
explains Certified Lay Ministry, requirements, and service distinction.
A person wishing to become a CLM enters the certification process, which includes training, support,
supervision, and accountability to the District Committee on Ordained Ministry. CLMs are laypeople
serving out their call as disciples of Jesus Christ.[250]

Ecumenical relations
Methodism is one tradition within the Christian Church.[251] The United Methodist Church is active in
ecumenical relations with other Christian groups and denominations. It is a member of the National Council
of Churches, the World Council of Churches, Churches Uniting in Christ, and Christian Churches
Together. In addition, it voted to seek observer status in the National Association of Evangelicals and in the
World Evangelical Fellowship.[252] However, there are some in the United Methodist Church who feel that
false ecumenism might result in the "blurring of theological and confessional differences in the interests of
unity."[253]

In April 2005, the United Methodist Council of Bishops approved "A Proposal for Interim Eucharistic
Sharing." This document was the first step toward full communion with the Evangelical Lutheran Church
in America (ELCA). The ELCA approved this same document in August 2005.[254] At the 2008 General
Conference, the United Methodist Church approved full communion with the Evangelical Lutheran Church
in America.[255] The ELCA approved this document on August 20, 2009, at its annual churchwide
assembly.[256][257][258]

The United Methodist Church has since 1985 been exploring a possible merger with three historically
African-American Methodist denominations: the African Methodist Episcopal Church, the African
Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, and the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church.[259] A Commission on
Pan Methodist Cooperation and Union formed in 2000 to carry out work on such a merger.[260] In May
2012, The United Methodist Church entered into full communion with the African Methodist Episcopal
Church, African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, African Union Methodist Protestant Church, Christian
Methodist Episcopal Church, and Union American Methodist Episcopal Church, in which these Churches
agreed to "recognize each other's churches, share sacraments, and affirm their clergy and ministries."[261]

There are also a number of churches such as the Evangelical Methodist Church in Argentina, Evangelical
Church of Uruguay, and Methodist Church in India (MCI), that are "autonomous affiliated" churches in
relation to the United Methodist Church.[262][263][264]

The UMC is a member of the Wesleyan Holiness Consortium, which seeks to reconceive and promote
Biblical holiness in today's Church, and many United Methodist congregations are members of the
Christian Holiness Partnership, with ten percent of local church membership in the Christian Holiness
Partnership being from the United Methodist connexion.[265][266] It is also active in the World Methodist
Council, an interdenominational group composed of various churches in the tradition of John Wesley to
promote the Gospel throughout the world. On July 18, 2006, delegates to the World Methodist Council
voted unanimously to adopt the "Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification", which was approved in
1999 by the Vatican and the Lutheran World Federation.[267][268]

Membership trends
Like many other mainline Protestant denominations in the United States, the United Methodist Church has
experienced significant membership losses in recent decades. At the time of its formation, the UMC had
about 11 million members in nearly 42,000 congregations.[269] In 1975, membership dropped below 10
million for the first time.[269] In 2005, there were about 8 million members in over 34,000
congregations.[269] Membership is concentrated primarily in the
Midwest and in the South. Texas has the largest number of
members, with about 1 million.[270] The states with the highest
membership rates are Oklahoma, Iowa, Mississippi, West Virginia,
and North Carolina.[270]

By the opening of the 2008 General Conference, total UMC

membership was estimated at 11.4 million, with about 7.9 million in
the US and 3.5 million overseas. Significantly, about 20 percent of
the conference delegates were from Africa, with Filipinos and A United Methodist chapel in Kent,
Europeans making up another 10 percent.[271] During the Ohio, near the main campus of Kent
conference, the delegates voted to finalize the induction of the State University
Methodist Church of the Ivory Coast and its 700,000 members into
the denomination.[271] Given current trends in the UMC—with
overseas churches growing, especially in Africa, and US churches collectively losing about 1,000 members
a week[272]—it has been estimated that Africans will make up at least 30 percent of the delegates at the
2012 General Conference,[271] and it is also possible that 40 percent of the delegates will be from outside
the US.[272] One Congolese bishop has estimated that typical Sunday attendance of the UMC is higher in
his country than in the entire United States.[272]

In 2018, outside of the United States, it would have 6,464,127 members and 12,866 churches.[273]

In 2020, it would have 6,268,310 members and 30,543 churches in the United States.[274]

Churchwide giving
Contributions to the local church not only benefit the local congregation, but also have regional, national,
and international impact through the United Methodist Church's connectional giving system. The power of
this collective giving enables the church to educate clergy, encourage cooperation with other faith
communions, fund General Conference, nurture historically black colleges and Africa University, and
support bishops.[275]

Individuals may also choose to give to the church by naming the Permanent Fund for the United Methodist
Church as beneficiary in their estate plans. The Permanent Fund provides a permanent source of funding
for the ministries of the United Methodist Church.[275]

See also
Methodism portal

Christianity portal

List of the largest Protestant bodies

Conferences of the United Methodist Church
Confessing Movement
Holiness Movement
Reconciling Ministries Network
List of local Methodist churches
Christianity in the United States
 Category:Methodism
Category:Methodist church buildings
Category:Methodist organizations
Category:Universities and colleges affiliated with the United Methodist Church

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News Service (CNS). Archived from the original (http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/c
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org/web/20120531022320/http://www.thearda.com/Denoms/D_1469.asp). The National
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2010. Retrieved December 8, 2009.
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a-glance). umc.org. US: United Methodist Church. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/202
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275. (2008) The Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church

Further reading
Cameron, Richard M. ed. Methodism and Society in Historical Perspective, (4 vol., New
York: Abingdon Press, 1961)
 Hatch, Nathan O. The Democratization of American Christianity (1989) credits the
Methodists and Baptists for making Americans more equalitarian
Hallam, David J.A. Eliza Asbury:her cottage and her son (http://www.brewinbooks.com/eliza
_asbury?search=Hallam), Studley, England, 2003 ISBN 1-85858-235-0 Tells the human
story behind Asbury's decision to come to America
Lyerly, Cynthia Lynn Methodism and the Southern Mind, 1770–1810, (1998)
Mathews, Donald G. Slavery and Methodism: A Chapter in American Morality, 1780–1845
(1965)
Mathews-Gardner, A. Lanethea. "From Ladies Aid to NGO: Transformations in Methodist
Women's Organizing in Postwar America", in Laughlin, Kathleen A., and Jacqueline L.
Castledine, eds., Breaking the Wave: Women, Their Organizations, and Feminism, 1945–
1985 (2011) pp. 99–112
McDowell, John Patrick. The Social Gospel in the South: The Woman's Home Mission
Movement in the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, 1886–1939 (1982)
Meyer, Donald The Protestant Search for Political Realism, 1919–1941, (1988) ISBN 0-
8195-5203-8
Norwood, John Nelson. The Schism in the Methodist Episcopal Church 1844: A Study of
Slavery and Ecclesiastical Politics (Porcupine Press, 1976)
Posey, Walter Brownlow. Frontier Mission: A History of Religion West of the Southern
Appalachians to 1861 (1966)
Richey, Russell E. Early American Methodism (1991)
Richey, Russell E. and Kenneth E. Rowe, eds. Rethinking Methodist History: A Bicentennial
Historical Consultation (1985), historiographical essays by scholars
Robert, Dana L., and David W. Scott. "World Growth of the United Methodist Church in
Comparative Perspective: A Brief Statistical Analysis." Methodist Review 3 (2011): 37–54.
Schmidt, Jean Miller Grace Sufficient: A History of Women in American Methodism, 1760–
1939, (1999)
Schneider, A. Gregory. The Way of the Cross Leads Home: The Domestication of American
Methodism (1993)
Stevens, Abel. History of the Methodist Episcopal Church in the United States of America
(1884) online (https://books.google.com/books?id=6TzTAAAAMAAJ)
Sweet, William Warren Methodism in American History, (1954) 472pp.
Teasdale, Mark R. Methodist Evangelism, American Salvation: The Home Missions of the
Methodist Episcopal Church, 1860–1920 (Wipf and Stock Publishers, 2014)
Tucker, Karen B. Westerfield. American Methodist Worship (2001)
Vickers, Jason E., ed. The Cambridge companion to American Methodism (2013), 18 wide-
ranging essays by scholars; online review (http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayAbstr
act?fromPage=online&aid=9656691&fileId=S0022046914002747)
Wigger, John H. Taking Heaven by Storm: Methodism and the Rise of Popular Christianity in
America, (1998) 269pp; focus on 1770–1910
Wigger, John H.. and Nathan O. Hatch, eds. Methodism and the Shaping of American
Culture (2001)

Primary sources
De Puy, William Harrison, ed. (1921). The Methodist Year-book: 1921 (https://books.google.c
om/books?id=RcURAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA252).
Norwood, Fredrick A., ed. Sourcebook of American Methodism (1982)
 Richey, Russell E., Rowe, Kenneth E. and Schmidt, Jean Miller (eds.) The Methodist
Experience in America: a sourcebook, (2000) ISBN 978-0687246731. 756 p. of original
documents
Sweet, William Warren, ed. Religion on the American Frontier: Vol. 4, The Methodists,1783–
1840: A Collection of Source Materials, (1946) 800 pp. of documents regarding the American
frontier

External links
Official website (https://www.umc.org/)
United Methodist Church (https://curlie.org/Society/Religion_and_Spirituality/Christianity/De
nominations/Methodist/United_Methodist) at Curlie

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