The Connectional Church #8
A brief reflection on how United Methodists are organized through conference and covenant
An Order of Missionary Preachers
How does the United Methodist denomination do its work? The UMC is structured differently from many other large organizations.
The United Methodist Church has a constitution and a detailed set of guidelines called the "Book of Discipline," but it is not a single legal entity. In that sense, it differs from denominations such as the Roman Catholic Church.
What Makes the UMC Distinct?
The UMC is a connectional mission rather than a single corporation. It endures as an ongoing tradition because people remain loyal to it, not because it exists as one legal body.
The church is a connection -- but of what? Local congregations did not form first and later join annual conferences, and annual conferences did not later unite to create the General Conference or the UMC.
Historical Roots of the Connection
John Wesley's "Connexion" joined the preachers and societies associated with him. Each year, he gathered the preachers for accountability, instruction, and appointments to the circuits they served.
From the beginning, the Methodist Episcopal Church was formed by missionary preachers meeting in conference, and that principle remains. Today, ordained clergy belong to their annual conference, while bishops belong to the Council of Bishops.
In this sense, our church is still an order of missionary preachers covenanting together in conference, with the annual conference as its basic unit.
Reflection for Today
Review what you know about your annual conference:
- How many districts does it have?
- What district does your congregation belong to, and who is your district superintendent?
- Who is your bishop?