View source for United Methodist Church

{{Short description|Mainline Protestant denomination}}
{{about|the current worldwide Christian denomination|the former denomination based in Great Britain}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2017}}
{{Infobox Christian denomination
| name               = United Methodist Church
| image              = UMCLogo.svg
| alt                = Flames licking around a simple black cross
| imagewidth         = 100px
| caption            = The United Methodist Church "[[cross and flame]]" emblem
| abbreviation       = UMC
| main_classification = [[Protestantism|Protestant]]
| orientation        = [[Methodism|Methodist]]
| scripture          = [[Protestant Bible]]
| theology           = [[Wesleyan theology|Wesleyan]]
| polity             = [[Connexionalism|Connexional]]<ref name="Robert Leroy Wilson, Steve Harper" />
| founder            = [[John Wesley]]<ref name="UVa-John Wesley">{{cite web |url = http://religiousmovements.lib.virginia.edu/nrms/methodist.html |title = The United Methodist Church|publisher = University of Virginia|access-date = August 3, 2007 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070804045414/http://religiousmovements.lib.virginia.edu/nrms/methodist.html |archive-date = August 4, 2007 |url-status = dead|author-first1=Meghan|author-last1=Mullee|year=2000}}</ref><ref name="UMCofWB" /> (spiritually)
| founded_date       = 1968
| fellowships_type   = [[Full communion]]
| fellowships        = {{plainlist}}
* [[Evangelical Lutheran Church in America|ELCA]] (since 2009)
* [[African Methodist Episcopal Church|AME]] (since 2012)
* [[African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church|AMEZ]] (since 2012)
* [[Christian Methodist Episcopal Church|CMEC]] (since 2012)
* [[African Union Methodist Protestant Church|AUMPC]] (since 2012)
* [[Union American Methodist Episcopal Church|UAMEC]] (since 2012)
* [[Moravian Church in North America|Moravians]] (since 2018)
{{endplainlist}}
| merger             = [[Methodist Church (USA)|The Methodist Church]] and the [[Evangelical United Brethren Church]]
| aid                = [[United Methodist Committee on Relief]]
| separations        = [[New Methodist Conference]] (2005)<br>[[Ang Iglesia Metodista sa Pilipinas]] (2011)<br>[[Global Methodist Church]] (2022)<br>[[The Foundry Network]] (2022)<br>[[Methodist Collegiate Church]] (2023)
| associations       = [[World Council of Churches]]<br />[[Churches Uniting in Christ]]<br />[[Christian Churches Together]]<br />[[National Council of Churches]]<br />[[Wesleyan Holiness Consortium]]<br />[[Christian Holiness Partnership]]<br />[[World Methodist Council]]
| division_type      = [[Annual conferences within Methodism|Annual conferences]]
| division           = 132
| division_type1     = [[Episcopal area (United Methodist Church)|Episcopal areas]]
| division1          = 66
| congregations      = 39,460 (29,746 in the US)<ref name="UMCom stats">{{Cite web |url=https://www.umc.org/en/content/united-methodists-at-a-glance|title=United Methodists At-A-Glance|publisher=United Methodist Communications|access-date=April 20, 2024}}</ref>
| leader_title1      = President
| leader_name1       = [[Tracy Smith Malone]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.umc.org/en/content/womens-history-month-bishop-tracy-s-malone |title=Bishop Tracy S. Malone set for historic election as COB president
 |author-last1=Delgado |author-first1=Aileen |date=2024-03-01 |website=Who We Are|publisher=United Methodist Communications |access-date=2024-05-01 |quote=}}</ref>
| leader_title2      = 
| leader_name2       = 
| leader_title3      = Secretary
| leader_name3       = L. J. Holston<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.unitedmethodistbishops.org/person-detail/2464043|title=Bishop L. Jonathan Holston |date=2022-04-29 |website=unitedmethodistbishops.org |publisher=COB Office |access-date=2023-10-06 |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200518012757/https://www.unitedmethodistbishops.org/person-detail/2464043|archive-date=18 May 2020}}</ref>
| members            = 9,984,925 worldwide<ref name="UMCom stats"/>
(5,040,619 total members in US, 3,988,810 professing members in the US<ref name="UMChurch stats">{{Cite web |url=https://www.umdata.org/statistics|title=Statistics for 2022|publisher=General Council on Finance and Administration – The United Methodist Church|access-date=April 20, 2024}}</ref>)
| ministers          = 83,800{{citation needed|date=May 2025}}
| secondary_schools  = 10
| tertiary           = 109{{citation needed|date=May 2025}}
| website            = [https://www.umc.org umc.org]
}}

The '''United Methodist Church''' ('''UMC''') is a worldwide [[mainline Protestant]]<ref name="ARDA-Mainline">{{cite web|url = http://www.thearda.com/mapsReports/reports/mainline.asp|title = Mainline Denominations|publisher = The Association of Religion Data Archives|access-date = August 1, 2007|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141021231319/http://www.thearda.com/mapsReports/reports/mainline.asp|archive-date = October 21, 2014|url-status = dead}}</ref> [[Christian]] [[Christian denomination|denomination]] based in [[Africa]], [[The Philippines]], [[Europe]], and the [[United States]], and is a major part of [[Methodism]].<ref>{{Cite web | title=Central Conferences {{!}} UMC.org | url=https://www.umc.org/en/content/central-conferences | access-date=2025-09-29 | website=www.umc.org}}</ref> 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]] by union of the [[Methodist Church (USA)|Methodist Church]] and the [[Evangelical United Brethren Church]], and is shaped by the voluntary separation of 25% of the United States churches leading up to the delayed 2020 General Conference held in 2024. The UMC traces its roots back to the [[Christian revival|revival movement]] of [[John Wesley|John]] and [[Charles Wesley]] in England, as well as the [[First Great Awakening|Great Awakening]] in the United States.<ref name="UMCofWB" /><ref name="Methodist Central Hall Westminster—Methodism" /> As such, the church's theological orientation is decidedly [[Wesleyan theology|Wesleyan]].<ref name="Longhenry-Wesleyanism" /> It embraces [[Christian liturgy|liturgical worship]], [[Holiness movement|holiness]], and evangelical elements.<ref name="UMC-Evangelical" /><ref name="EPPC" /><ref name="Oden2016">{{cite book|last=Oden|first=Thomas C.|title=The Rebirth of African Orthodoxy|date=April 5, 2016|publisher=Abingdon Press|language=en|isbn=9781501819100|pages=21|quote=The growth of United Methodism abroad, especially in Africa, is already coming to exercise increasing influence in the American church. ... In Africa UMC churches are full. People walk for miles to hear their preaching. At the current rates, United Methodists in Africa may outnumber church members in the U.S. within a decade or so. ... It is likely that early African Christian wisdom will increasingly influence the curriculum of African seminaries, which currently are biblically evangelical, morally earnest, and service oriented.}}</ref><ref name="Winn">{{cite book |last1=Winn |first1=Christian T. Collins |title=From the Margins: A Celebration of the Theological Work of Donald W. Dayton |date=2007 |publisher=Wipf and Stock Publishers |isbn=9781630878320 |page=115 |language=en|quote=In addition to these separate denominational groupings, one needs to give attention to the large pockets of the Holiness movement that have remained within the United Methodist Church. The most influential of these were the circles dominated by Asbury College and Asbury Theological Seminary (both in Wilmore, KY), but one could speak of other colleges, innumerable local campmeetings, the vestiges of various local Holiness associations, independent Holiness oriented missionary societies and the like that have had great impact within United Methodism. A similar pattern existed in England with the role of Cliff College within Methodism in that context.}}</ref> According to its Book of Discipline, "The mission of the Church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.umc.org/en/content/book-of-discipline-120-ff-section-1-the-churches|title=Mission statement of The United Methodist Church &#124; UMC.org|website=The United Methodist Church}}</ref>

The United Methodist Church has a [[Connectionalism|connectional polity]], a typical feature of a number of Methodist denominations. It is organized into [[Conferences in Methodism|conferences]]. The highest level is called the [[General Conference (Methodism)|General Conference]] and is the only organization which may speak officially for the UMC. The church is a member of the [[World Council of Churches]], the [[World Methodist Council]], and other religious associations.

Between 1968 and 2022, the UMC's membership has declined from 11 million to 5,424,175 members<ref name="UMChurch stats"/> and 29,746 churches in the United States.<ref name="UMCom stats"/> As of 2022, it had 9,984,925 members and 39,460 churches worldwide.<ref name="UMCom stats"/> In 2025, the [[Pew Research Center]] estimated that 3 percent of the U.S. population, or 7.8 million adult adherents, identified with the United Methodist Church, revealing a larger number of adherents than registered members.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Religious Landscape Study |url=https://www.pewresearch.org/religious-landscape-study/ |access-date=2025-03-10 |website=Pew Research Center |date=2025 |language=en-US|doi=10.58094/3zs9-jc14 |author1=Pew Research Center }}</ref>

On January 3, 2020, a group of Methodist leaders proposed a plan to split the United Methodist Church over issues of [[sexual orientation]] (particularly ordination of clergy in [[same-sex marriage]]) and create a new traditionalist [[List of Methodist denominations#North America|Methodist denomination]];<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /><ref name="wesleyancovenant.org">{{Cite web|url=https://wesleyancovenant.org/2020/01/02/jan-2020/|title=Key Bishops and Advocacy Group Leaders Propose Plan of Separation|date=2020-01-02|website=Wesleyan Covenant Association|language=en-US|access-date=2020-03-25|first1=Walter|last1=Fenton|archive-date=March 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200325013721/https://wesleyancovenant.org/2020/01/02/jan-2020/|url-status=dead}}</ref> the [[Global Methodist Church]] was formed in 2022.<ref name="Miller2022" /> Prior to the establishment of the Global Methodist Church, some Methodist congregations had already left the UMC to join the [[Free Methodist Church]], a traditionalist Methodist denomination aligned with the [[Wesleyan-Holiness movement]].<ref name="Hahn2022">{{cite web |last1=Hahn |first1=Heather |title=Church disaffiliations, court cases mount |url=https://www.umnews.org/en/news/church-disaffiliations-court-cases-mount |publisher=[[United Methodist News Service]] |access-date=28 February 2022 |language=English |date=8 February 2022}}</ref><ref name="Taylor2020">{{cite web |last1=Taylor |first1=Scott |title=Free Methodists think UMC split could help them grow: Dating from days of slavery, splinter church against 'changing rules to fit their needs' |url=https://northglenn-thorntonsentinel.com/stories/free-methodists-think-umc-split-could-help-them-grow,295393 |publisher=Northglenn Thornton Sentinel |access-date=28 February 2022 |language=English |date=4 March 2020 |archive-date=February 28, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220228050157/https://northglenn-thorntonsentinel.com/stories/free-methodists-think-umc-split-could-help-them-grow,295393 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Other former United Methodist congregations joined various conservative [[List of Methodist denominations#North America|Methodist denominations]], such as the [[Congregational Methodist Church]], or became members of the [[Association of Independent Methodists]].<ref name="Johnston2023"/><ref name="WBS2023"/> As of December 30, 2023, the number of UMC churches in the United States that were approved for disaffiliation stood at 7,660. This figure represented approximately one-quarter of the UMC churches in the United States.<ref name="christianitytoday.com">{{cite web|author-first1=Kate|author-last1=Shellnutt|author-first2=Daniel|author-last2=Silliman|url=https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2023/december/united-methodist-church-split-total-umc-disaffiliation-lgbt.html|title=United Methodists Down 7,659 Churches As Exit Window Ends|website=Christianity Today|location=USA|date=December 18, 2023}}</ref><ref name="umnews.org">{{cite web|website=United Methodist News|url=https://www.umnews.org/en/news/disaffiliations-approved-by-annual-conferences|title=Disaffiliations approved by annual conferences|access-date=December 30, 2023}}</ref> In May 2024, the United Methodist Church General Conference repealed bans on LGBTQ clergy and same-sex marriage.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.umnews.org/en/news/40-year-ban-on-gay-clergy-struck-down|title=40-year ban on gay clergy struck down|last=Hahn|first=Heather|publisher=UM News|date=May 1, 2024|access-date=May 4, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.umnews.org/en/news/united-methodists-remove-same-sex-wedding-ban|title=United Methodists remove same-sex wedding ban|last=Hahn|first=Heather|publisher=UM News|date=May 3, 2024|access-date=May 4, 2024}}</ref> 

In November 2025, the United Methodist Church ratified Worldwide Regionalization, a series of Constitutional Amendments passed at the 2024 General Conference to restructure the UMC designed to give equal autonomy to various regions of the church, renaming former Central (non-US) Conferences to Regional Conferences and the creation of a US Regional Conference on an equal basis, which many United Methodists believe would help decolonize the church and aid global unity.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://www.umnews.org/en/news/new-united-methodist-church-structure-ratified|title=New United Methodist Church structure ratified &#124; UMNews.org|website=United Methodist News Service}}</ref><ref name="auto2">{{Cite web|url=https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/religion/2025/11/05/umc-restructuring-vote-results/87069417007/|title=Post-splintering, UMC ratifies restructuring, gives autonomy to non-US churches|first=Liam|last=Adams|website=The Tennessean}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/religion/2025/11/05/umc-restructuring-results-zimbabwe/87069482007/|title=As UMC awaits results on historic restructuring, what it looks like day to day in Zimbabwe|first=Liam|last=Adams|website=The Tennessean}}</ref>
{{TOC limit|3}}

==History==
{{Main|History of Methodism in the United States}}

===Church origins===
[[File:15-17-040, John Wesley Statue - panoramio.jpg|thumb|upright=0.9|right|Statue of John Wesley in [[Savannah, Georgia]], where he served as a missionary]]
The movement which would become the United Methodist Church began in the mid-18th century within the [[Church of England]]. A small group of students, including John Wesley, Charles Wesley, and [[George Whitefield]], met at [[Oxford University]]. They focused on Bible study, methodical study of scripture, and living a holy life. Other students mocked them, saying they were the "[[Holy Club]]" and "the Methodists", being methodical and exceptionally detailed in their [[Bible study (Christianity)|Bible study]], opinions, and disciplined lifestyle. Eventually, the so-called Methodists started individual societies or classes for members of the Church of England who wanted to live a more religious life.

In 1735, John and Charles Wesley went to America, hoping to teach the gospel to the [[Indigenous peoples of the Americas|Native Americans]] in the colony of [[Province of Georgia|Georgia]]. Instead, John became vicar of [[Christ Church (Savannah, Georgia)|Christ Church]] in [[Savannah, Georgia|Savannah]].  His preaching was legalistic and full of harsh rules, and the congregation rejected him. After two years in America, he returned to England dejected and confused. While sailing on his original journey to America, he had been impressed with the faith of the German [[Moravian Church|Moravians]] on board, and when he returned to England he spent time with Peter Böhler, a German Moravian who was passing through England and who believed that a person is saved [[Sola gratia|solely through the grace of God]] and not by works. John had many conversations with Böhler about this topic. On May 25, 1738, after listening to a reading of [[Martin Luther]]'s preface to the [[Epistle to the Romans]], John came to the understanding that his [[good works]] could not save him and he could rest in God's grace for salvation. For the first time in his life, he felt peace and the assurance of salvation.

In less than two years, the "Holy Club" disbanded. John Wesley met with a group of clergy, and afterwards said "they appeared to be of one heart, as well as of one judgment, resolved to be Bible-Christians at all events; and, wherever they were, to preach with all their might plain, old, Bible Christianity." The ministers nonetheless retained their membership in the Church of England. Though not always emphasized or appreciated in the Anglican churches of their day, their teaching emphasized salvation by God's grace, acquired through faith in Christ. Three teachings they saw as the foundation of Christian faith were:

# People are all by nature ''dead in sin'' and, consequently, ''children of wrath''.
# They are ''justified by [[Sola fide|faith alone]]''.
# 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''.<ref>{{cite web |last=Wesley |first=John |title=A Short History of Methodism |url=http://gbgm-umc.org/umw/Wesley/shorthistory.stm |via=gbgm-umc.org |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120413175648/http://gbgm-umc.org/umw/Wesley/shorthistory.stm |archive-date=April 13, 2012 |access-date=May 1, 2009}}</ref>

===Predecessors===
[[File:Old Barratt's Chapel (Methodist), Route 113, Frederica vicinity (Kent County, Delaware).jpg|thumb|[[Barratt's Chapel]], built in 1780, is the oldest Methodist church in the United States built for that purpose. The church was a meeting place of [[Francis Asbury|Asbury]] and [[Thomas Coke (bishop)|Coke]].]]

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 .<ref>{{cite book|url=http://www.brewinbooks.com/eliza_asbury?search=Hallam|last1=Hallam|first1=David J.A.|title=Eliza Asbury: her cottage and her son|location=Studley, England|year=2003|archive-date=March 29, 2019|access-date=March 29, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190329171416/http://www.brewinbooks.com/eliza_asbury%3Fsearch%3DHallam|url-status=dead}}</ref> The first official organization in the United States occurred in [[Baltimore|Baltimore, Maryland]], in 1784, with the formation of the [[Methodist Episcopal Church]] at the [[Christmas Conference (Methodism)|Christmas Conference]] with Francis Asbury and [[Thomas Coke (bishop)|Thomas Coke]] as the leaders.<ref name="ARE—Methodists" /><ref name="Greensboro College—Methodists" />

[[File:The Ordination of Bishop Asbury.jpg|thumb|left|The [[ordination]] of Bishop [[Francis Asbury]] by Bishop [[Thomas Coke (bishop)|Thomas Coke]] at the Christmas Conference establishing the [[Methodist Episcopal Church]], 1784]]
Though John Wesley originally wanted the Methodists to stay within the Church of England, the [[American Revolution]] decisively separated the Methodists in the [[Colonial history of the United States|American colonies]] from the life and [[Anglican sacraments|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 (bishop)|Thomas Coke]] as [[Superintendent (ecclesiastical)|Superintendent]] (the equivalent of a [[bishop]]) to organize a separate Methodist Society. Together with Coke, Wesley sent [[The Sunday Service of the Methodists]], Methodism's first liturgical text and the [[Articles of Religion (Methodist)|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.<ref>{{cite web |url={{MHT url|id=171}}|title=Lovely Lane Methodist Church|date=November 21, 2008|website=Maryland's National Register Properties|location=Maryland|publisher=Maryland Historical Trust}}</ref>

The new church grew rapidly in the young country as it employed [[Circuit rider (Religious)|circuit riders]], many of whom were [[lay speaker|laymen]], to travel the mostly rural nation by horseback to preach the [[Good news (Christianity)|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 (Philadelphia)|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.

[[File:Nineteenth Century Methodist Hymnal in Barratt's Chapel Museum, Frederica, Delaware.jpg|thumb|right|19th-century Methodist hymnal, [[Barratt's Chapel]]]]
[[Richard Allen (bishop)|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 the United States|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 case resulted in the bridge being relocated. Historic Saint George's 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 in the United States|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 majority of the Methodist Protestant Church merged to create [[Methodist Church (USA)|The Methodist Church]]. The uniting conference took place at First Methodist Church (now First United Methodist Church) of [[Marion, Indiana]].

===1939 merger and the Central Jurisdiction in the Methodist Church===

In 1844, the Methodist Episcopal Church (South) split from the Methodist Episcopal Church over slavery despite that John Wesley was against slavery.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.umnews.org/en/news/slavery-and-the-founders-of-methodism|title=Slavery and the founders of Methodism &#124; UMNews.org|website=United Methodist News Service}}</ref> In 1939, the Methodist Episcopal Church, the Methodist Episcopal Church (South) and the Methodist Protestant Church merged to form the [[Methodist Church (United States)|Methodist Church]]. The 1939 merger was created at the expense of African Americans. At the behest of the southern faction, the Central Jurisdiction was created as a compromise which segregated the Methodist Church.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://um-insight.net/api/content/9fa0b206-44e2-11e8-ac8d-121bebc5777e/|title=50 Years on, the Central Jurisdiction's Shadow Still Looms|first=Joey|last=Butler|date=April 20, 2018|website=United Methodist Insight}}</ref>There were five administrative jurisdictions in the US that were on the basis of geography, but a sixth jurisdiction, the segregated Central Jurisdiction was exclusively for African American churches, conferences, and pastors.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Methodism/America|title=Methodism - Revivalism, Holiness, Social Reform &#124; Britannica|date=September 15, 2025|website=www.britannica.com}}</ref> The Central Jurisdiction lasted from 1939 to 1968 but it took until 1972 for all conferences to be integrated.<ref> https://txarchives.org/smu/finding_aids/00309.xml#:~:text=During%20the%201950s%20and%201960s,:1%20(October%202015).</ref> The 1968 merger with the Evangelical United Brethren church had a condition for merger, which was the abolition of the Central Jurisdiction. The merger created the United Methodist Church.<ref> https://www.umnews.org/en/news/amid-tumult-of-1968-a-church-came-together#:~:text=The%20Evangelical%20United%20Brethren%20—%20following,Retired%20Bishop%20Susan%20W.</ref> In the wake of the Central Jurisdiction’s abolition, the organization Black Methodists for Church Renewal and the agency the General Commission on Religion and Race were created to work for an end to racism in the church and society and to advocate for Black United Methodists.<ref> https://www.umnews.org/en/news/leaders-remember-central-jurisdictions-dissolution#:~:text=With%20the%20dissolution%20of%20the,'%22%20Current%2DFelder%20said.</ref>

===1968 merger and formation of the UMC===
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"<ref>1968 General Conference ''Daily Christian Advocate''{{full citation needed|date=April 2025}}</ref> the new denomination was given birth by both churches which had distinguished histories and influential ministries in various parts of the world.

===2020–2024 schisms===
{{main|Global Methodist Church}}

Prior to the United Methodist Church's May 2024 General Conference, the UMC had rules, found in the Book of Discipline, that prohibited 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 ignored the injunctions in the Book of Discipline. Many conservative members of the UMC did not like the trend of the UMC towards endorsing gay marriage and, hence, have initiated movements to split-off from the UMC.<ref name="CM1">{{Cite web |last=Gryboski |first=Michael |date=2023-06-10 |title=Over 5,000 UMC churches granted disaffiliation amid schism over homosexuality; 3,000 in 2023 |url=https://www.christianpost.com/news/over-5000-umc-churches-granted-disaffiliation.html |access-date=2024-09-13 |website=The Christian Post|language=en}}</ref><ref name="Guard2">{{Cite news |last=Helmore |first=Edward |date=2023-11-20 |title=Hundreds more US United Methodist congregations disaffiliate amid LGBTQ+ tensions |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/nov/20/united-methodist-congregations-lgbtq-same-sex-marriage-ban |access-date=2024-09-13 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>

On January 3, 2020, the denomination's leadership released a proposal to split the Church over what it described as "fundamental differences" [[Christianity and homosexuality|over homosexuality]], particularly [[same-sex marriage]] (see [[#Homosexuality|§ Homosexuality]] below).<ref name=":1"/> The United Methodist Church would hold a special session to repeal the ban on same-sex marriage.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-01-03|title=United Methodist leaders propose plan to split church over LGBTQ ordination, marriage|first1=Emily|last1=McFarlan Miller|url=https://religionnews.com/2020/01/03/leaders-announce-plan-to-split-united-methodist-church-over-lgbtq-ordination-marriage/|access-date=2020-12-05|website=Religion News Service|language=en-US}}</ref> The proposal would need to be approved by the General Conference in order to take effect. The 2020 [[General Conference (Methodism)|General Conference]], originally scheduled to be held in [[Minneapolis]], [[Minnesota]], was postponed due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref>{{Cite web|first1=Emily|last1=McFarlan Miller|date=2020-05-15|title=United Methodists would've met this week to consider a split. What are they doing instead?|url=https://religionnews.com/2020/05/15/united-methodists-wouldve-met-this-week-to-consider-a-split-what-are-they-doing-instead/|access-date=2020-12-05|website=Religion News Service|language=en-US}}</ref>

In November 2020, a small group of the progressive wing announced their intention to create a new denomination, the [[Liberation Methodist Connexion]].<ref name="Miller2020">{{cite web |last1=Miller |first1=Emily McFarlan |title=Progressive United Methodists announce new denomination: Liberation Methodist Connexion |url=https://religionnews.com/2020/11/30/progressive-united-methodists-announce-new-denomination-liberation-methodist-connexion/ |publisher=[[Religion News Service]] |access-date=10 June 2021 |language=English |date=30 November 2020}}</ref><ref name="Astle2020">{{cite web |last1=Astle |first1=Cynthia |title=New denomination declares 'liberation' from United Methodist Church |url=https://baptistnews.com/article/new-denomination-declares-liberation-from-united-methodist-church/ |publisher=[[Baptist News Global]] |access-date=10 June 2021 |language=English |date=9 December 2020}}</ref> It was launched on the [[First Sunday in Advent]] through an online service.<ref name="Gryboski2020">{{cite web |last1=Gryboski |first1=Michael |title=New progressive Methodist denomination formed before possible UMC schism over LGBT issues |url=https://www.christianpost.com/news/new-liberal-methodist-denomination-formed-before-umc-schism.html |publisher=[[The Christian Post]] |access-date=10 June 2021 |language=English |date=4 December 2020}}</ref> However, organizers of the Liberation Methodist Connexion announced on 18 December 2021 that no progress had been made to set up a separate denomination.<ref name="Lomperis2021">{{cite web |last1=Lomperis |first1=John |title=Ultra-Progressive Liberation Methodist Connexion (LMX) Denomination Fizzling Out |url=https://juicyecumenism.com/2021/12/30/liberation-methodist-connexion-fizzles/ |publisher=[[Juicy Ecumenism]] |date=30 December 2021}}</ref>

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 (Methodism)|General Conference]] was set for 2024.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.umc.org/en/content/general-conference-further-postponed-to-2024|title=General Conference further postponed to 2024|website=The United Methodist Church Commission on General Conference|date=3 March 2022|access-date=13 March 2022}}</ref> At that time, delegates were expected to vote on the Protocol for Reconciliation and Grace through Separation.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2021/march/conservative-umc-split-postponed-global-methodist-church.html|title=Conservative United Methodists Plan Breakaway Denomination|last=Miller|first=Emily McFarlan |work=[[Christianity Today]]|via=[[Religion News Service]]|date=2021-03-02|access-date=2021-03-08}}</ref> 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 (Methodism)|General Conference]] adopted legislation implementing the Protocol, although the Council intended to "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."<ref>{{cite web|last=Fenton|first=Walter|date=2021-03-01|title=The Global Methodist Church|work=Wesleyan|url=https://wesleyancovenant.org/2021/02/26/the-global-methodist-church/|access-date=2021-11-18|publisher=Wesleyan Covenant Association|archive-date=March 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210313150735/https://wesleyancovenant.org/2021/02/26/the-global-methodist-church/|url-status=dead}}</ref>  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]].<ref name="Hahn2022"/><ref name="Taylor2020"/> 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]].<ref name="Miller2022">{{cite web |last1=Miller |first1=Emily McFarlan |title=Florida churches among first to begin exit from UMC to new, conservative denomination |url=https://religionnews.com/2022/05/05/florida-churches-make-plans-to-leave-umc-for-new-conservative-denomination/ |publisher=[[Religion News Service]] |access-date=18 May 2022 |language=English |date=5 May 2022}}</ref> Other former United Methodist churches that disaffiliated joined various [[List of Methodist denominations#North America|Methodist denominations]], such as the [[Congregational Methodist Church]] and [[Methodist Protestant Church]], or became members of the [[Association of Independent Methodists]].<ref name="Frazier2023">{{cite web |last1=Frazier |first1=Terri Cowart |title=DISAFFILIATION: Porters Chapel United Methodist Church joins Eagle Lake and Redwood|url=https://www.vicksburgpost.com/2023/06/26/disaffiliation-porters-chapel-united-methodist-church-joins-eagle-lake-and-redwood/ |publisher=The Vicksburg Post |access-date=2 May 2024 |language=English |date=26 June 2023}}</ref><ref name="WBS2023">{{cite web |title=A Guide for Disaffiliating Churches |url=https://wbs.edu/umc/ |publisher=[[Wesley Biblical Seminary]] |access-date=3 May 2024 |language=en |date=2023 |quote=Other churches have chosen to join Wesleyan-Methodist denominations like the Independent Methodist Church and the Congregational Methodist Church.}}</ref><ref name="Johnston2023">{{cite web |last1=Johnston |first1=Jeff |title=Thousands of Congregations Leave United Methodist Church Over Biblical Concerns |url=https://dailycitizen.focusonthefamily.com/thousands-of-congregations-leave-united-methodist-church-over-biblical-concerns/ |publisher=Daily Citizen |access-date=3 May 2024 |date=24 May 2023|quote=Others are joining more conservative Methodist groups, such as the Congregational Methodist Church, the Free Methodist Church, or the Global Methodist Church, an international denomination that launched just over a year ago.}}</ref>

On May 10, 2022, the Judicial Council of the United Methodist Church ruled that annual UMC conferences in the United States cannot leave the church for the Global Methodist Church; only individual churches may do so. The Romania-Bulgaria Conference has left the UMC. As of May 2022, the South Georgia and Northwest Texas conferences were making preparations to leave the UMC; however, these proposed transitions would require UMC General conference legislation.<ref name="Adams May 11">{{cite news|url=https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/religion/2022/05/11/united-methodist-church-court-rules-against-conferences-leaving-denomination-amid-schism/9720610002/|title=United Methodist conferences cannot disaffiliate from denomination, church court rules|last=Adams|first=Liam|work=The Tennessean|date=11 May 2022|url-access=limited}}</ref>

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 that 1,000 more churches were expected to hold votes on proposed departures from the UMC later in the year and that 300 of 800 [[Annual conferences within Methodism#Northeastern Jurisdiction|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 from the UMC due to [[Progressive Christianity|progressive]] tendencies in the American leadership of the UMC.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gazda |first=Imrich |title=Rozkol u metodistov / Na pretláčanie gender agendy doplatila ďalšia veľká protestantská cirkev |date=8 November 2022|trans-title=Schism among Methodists / Another large Protestant church bears the cost of promoting the gender agenda|url=https://svetkrestanstva.postoj.sk/118044/na-pretlacanie-gender-agendy-doplatila-dalsia-velka-protestantska-cirkev |access-date=2022-11-08 |website=Svet kresťanstva|publisher=Postoj|language=sk}}</ref> 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 be responsible for paying two years of apportionments and unfunded pension liabilities.<ref name="Smith Oct 10">{{cite news|url=https://apnews.com/article/religion-gay-rights-f3fc3ec9e1f39501495d227d5a0963f8|title=United Methodists are breaking up in a slow-motion schism|last=Smith|first=Peter|work=Associated Press|date=10 October 2022}}</ref> Fifty-eight churches belonging to the Louisiana Annual Conference left the United Methodist Church, with seven congregations being from Baton Rouge and six from New Orleans.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=November 13, 2022 |title=Louisiana Churches Leave Methodist Denomination Amid Schism |url=https://www.usnews.com/news/us/articles/2022-11-13/louisiana-churches-leave-methodist-denomination-amid-schism |access-date=November 13, 2022 |website=US News}}</ref> The disaffiliations from the conference were scheduled to take effect after December 31, 2022.<ref name=":2" /> St. Timothy, one of the largest Methodist churches in Louisiana, voted for disaffiliation on November 1, 2022.<ref name=":2" /> To prevent certain congregations from disaffiliating, the UMC ordered that certain churches be closed before disaffiliation votes could occur.<ref name="Gryboski2023">{{cite web |last1=Gryboski |first1=Michael |title=Historic North Carolina church trying to leave UMC shuttered by regional conference |url=https://www.christianpost.com/news/nc-church-trying-to-leave-umc-is-shut-down-by-denomination.html |publisher=[[The Christian Post]] |access-date=29 May 2023 |language=English |date=30 March 2023}}</ref><ref name="Quintanilla2023">{{cite web |last1=Quintanilla |first1=Milton |title=UMC Regional Body Closes Historic North Carolina Church Attempting to Disaffiliate |url=https://www.christianheadlines.com/contributors/milton-quintanilla/umc-regional-body-closes-historic-north-carolina-church-attempting-to-disaffiliate.html |access-date=29 May 2023 |language=English |date=31 March 2023 |archive-date=May 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230529043809/https://www.christianheadlines.com/contributors/milton-quintanilla/umc-regional-body-closes-historic-north-carolina-church-attempting-to-disaffiliate.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> Several annual conferences designated certain remaining congregations as "lighthouse congregations", which offer support to UMC parishioners who objected to their former congregations' disaffiliation.<ref>{{Cite web|first1=Philip J.|last1=Brooks|title=Becoming a lighthouse congregation |url=https://www.resourceumc.org/en/content/becoming-a-lighthouse-congregation |access-date=2023-11-21 |website=ResourceUMC |language=en}}</ref>

As of December 30, 2023, the number of UMC churches in the United States that were approved for disaffiliation stood at 7,660. This figure represented approximately one-quarter of the UMC churches in the United States.<ref name="christianitytoday.com"/><ref name="umnews.org"/>

The 2024 General Conference, the first since the delayed 2020 conference<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article288042150.html|title=United Methodist Church LGBTQ advocate says Charlotte conference is chance for progress
|last=Chamer|first=Jeff A.|work=[[The Charlotte Observer]]|date=April 27, 2024|access-date=May 1, 2024}}</ref> ran from April 23 to May 3 in [[Charlotte, North Carolina]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/nation-world/national/article287929020.html|title=United Methodist Church opens General Conference as denomination considers LGBTQ+ rights|last=Walsh|first=Sheri|work=The Charlotte Observer|via=[[United Press International]]|date=2024-04-23|access-date=2024-04-29}}</ref> With no debate since many of the more conservative congregations had left, proposals approved included having separate regions outside the United States in order to allow each region to have its own policies, removing language stating "the practice of homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching", and ending bans on same-sex weddings and gay clergy.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/nation-world/national/article287929020.html|title=United Methodist Church delegates vote to end anti-LGBTQ policies after decades|last=Chamer|first=Jeff A.|work=The Charlotte Observer|date=2024-05-01|access-date=2024-05-03}}</ref>

On May 28, 2024, the Côte d’Ivoire Conference  voted to leave the UMC in response to the General Conference decision to allow same-sex marriages and gay clergy.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |date=2024-06-08 |title=Methodist church regrets Ivory Coast's split from the union as lifting of LGBTQ ban roils Africa |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/methodist-church-regrets-ivory-coast-s-split-from-the-union-as-lifting-of-lgbtq-ban-roils-africa-/7647901.html |access-date=2024-06-13 |via=Voice of America |publisher=Associated Press|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.umnews.org/en/news/cote-divoire-votes-to-leave-denomination|first1=Heather|last1=Hahn|first2=Chadrack Tambwe|last2=Londe|title=Côte d'Ivoire Conference votes to leave denomination|website=UM News|date=5 June 2024}}</ref> With 1.2 million members, the [[Ivory Coast|Côte d’Ivoire]] Conference was the UMC's largest single presence outside the United States.<ref name=":3" />

From 2024 to 2025, violence occurred in [[Nigeria]] between United Methodists and Global Methodists. 3 United Methodists were killed, and several buildings were damaged.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.christianpost.com/news/violent-clashes-erupt-among-umc-global-methodists-in-nigeria.html|title=Violent clashes erupt among UMC, Global Methodists at Nigerian seminary|website=Christian Post|date=2025-02-27|author-first1=Michael |author-last1=Gryboski|accessdate=2025-05-17}}</ref>

===2025-present: Worldwide Regionalization===
At the May 2024 General Conference, delegates approved a Constitutional Amendment called Worldwide Regionalization that would give Regions of the church around the world equal autonomy to adapt the Book of Discipline, create a regional hymnal, and set policies on membership, ordination, and marriage within different cultural contexts, missional needs, and legal contexts around the world. Over the course of a year and a half, Annual Conference (local) delegates around the world voted on whether to ratify the amendments. The amendments were officially and overwhelmingly ratified in November 2025. What were Central Conferences have been renamed Regional Conferences and a US Regional Conference is created by the amendments. Before regionalization, the US was unable to make adaptations to the Discipline, unlike other places in the church and any such efforts by the US required action to be taken at General Conference, a worldwide body, instead of locally. There are four Regional Conferences in Africa, three in Europe, one in the Philippines, and there will be one in the United States. Advocates for Regionalization deemed the restructuring necessary to decolonize the church and to advance church unity.<ref name="auto"/><ref name="auto2"/>

==Beliefs==
{{Methodism}}
The United Methodist Church seeks to create [[Disciple (Christianity)|disciples]] for [[Jesus in Christianity|Christ]] through outreach, evangelism, and through seeking holiness, also called [[sanctification]], by the power of the [[Holy Spirit in Christianity|Holy Spirit]]. The flame in the [[Cross and flame|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 [[Four Marks of the Church|holy catholic (or universal) church]] and it recognizes the historic [[ecumenical creed]]s,<ref name="UMC—Our Common Heritage as Christians" /> the [[Apostles' Creed]]<ref name="UMC—Apostle's Creed" /> and the [[Nicene Creed]];<ref name="UMC—Nicene Creed" /> which are used frequently in [[church service|services of worship]].<ref name="Colorado State University—Creedal Church" /> The Book of Discipline also recognizes the importance of the [[Chalcedonian Creed]] of the [[Council of Chalcedon]].<ref>''2008 Book of Discipline'' para. 101, page 42</ref> 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.<ref name="William Joseph Whalen - Membership" /> 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 [[presbyter]]s, Thomas Vasey and Richard Whatcoat. [[Thomas Coke (bishop)|Thomas Coke]], already an [[Priest|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 [[bishop]]s and [[presbyter]]s constituted one [[Holy Orders|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 [[History of Christianity|Early Church]]. Methodists today who would argue for apostolic succession would do so on these grounds.<ref name="John McClintock, James Strong"/>

While many United Methodist congregations operate in the evangelical tradition, others reflect the [[Mainline (Protestant)|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 Outler|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 (Methodist)|Articles of Religion]] of the Methodist Church;<ref name="UMC—Doctrinal Standards" />
* The [[Confession of Faith (United Methodist)|Confessions of Faith]] of the Evangelical United Brethren Church;<ref name="UMC—Doctrinal Standards" />
* The ''General Rules'' of the Methodist Societies;<ref name="UMC—The General Rules of the Methodist Church" />
* The Standard Sermons of John Wesley;<ref name="UMC—Doctrinal Standards" />
* John Wesley's ''Explanatory Notes on the New Testament''.<ref name="UMC—Doctrinal Standards" />

These Doctrinal Standards are constitutionally protected and nearly impossible to change or remove.<ref name="UMC—Doctrinal Standards" /> Other doctrines of the United Methodist Church are found in the ''[[Book of Discipline (United Methodist)|Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church]]''.

===Summary of basic beliefs===
The basic beliefs of the United Methodist Church include:
* [[Trinity|Triune]] [[God in Christianity|God]]. God is [[Monotheism|one God]] in three persons: [[God the Father|Father]], [[God the Son|Son]] and [[God the Holy Spirit|Holy Spirit]].<ref name="UMC—Article I—Of Faith in the Holy Trinity" />
* [[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 [[Biblical inerrancy|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."<ref>{{cite book|author-first1=F. Belton |author-last1=Joyner|title=Being United Methodist in the Bible Belt: A Theological Survival Guide for Youth, Parents, and Other Confused United Methodists |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6JKNoEWa8-cC&pg=PA28|year=2008|publisher=Westminster John Knox Press|page=28|isbn=9780664231682 }}</ref><ref>The British Methodist Church in 2001 adopted a more complex seven-way choice of what the Bible means. See [[Methodist Church of Great Britain#The Bible]] and {{cite book|author-first1=Peter |author-last1=Forsaith|title=The Ashgate Research Companion to World Methodism |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VsrOCwAAQBAJ&pg=PT345|year=2016|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1-317-04098-9|pages=345–46}}</ref>
* [[Christian views on sin|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.<ref name="Discipline page 43" />
* [[Salvation in Christianity|Salvation]] through [[Jesus|Jesus Christ]]. God's redeeming love is active to save sinners through Jesus' [[Incarnation (Christianity)|incarnate]] life and teachings, through his [[Atonement of Jesus Christ|atoning]] death, his [[Resurrection of Jesus|resurrection]], his sovereign presence through history, and his promised return.<ref name="Discipline page 43"/>
* [[Sanctification]]. The grace of sanctification draws one toward the gift of [[Christian perfection]], which Wesley described as a heart "habitually filled with the [[Great Commandment|love of God and neighbor]]" and as "having the mind of Christ and walking as he walked."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.umc.org/what-we-believe/our-wesleyan-heritage |title=Our Wesleyan Heritage |website=The people of The United Methodist Church |publisher=United Methodist Church |access-date=2019-07-14}}<br />{{cite web |url=http://archives.umc.org/interior.asp?mid=1813 |title=Distinctive Wesleyan Emphases (Page 2) |website=Archives.umc.org |date=November 6, 2006 |access-date=July 25, 2012}}</ref> This emphasis in Methodism has led to the heralding of the motto "Holiness unto the Lord".<ref name="Rose1975">{{cite book |last1=Rose |first1=Delbert R. |title=Vital Holiness: A Theology of Christian Experience : Interpreting the Historic Wesleyan Message |date=1975 |publisher=Bethany Fellowship |isbn=978-0-87123-539-8 |page=29 |language=English}}</ref>
* [[Sacrament]]s. United Methodists recognize two sacraments: [[Holy Baptism]] and [[Holy Communion]]. Other rites such as [[Confirmation]], [[Ordination]], [[Christian views of marriage|Holy Matrimony]], [[Christian burial|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 (theology)|regeneration]] or the [[Born again (Christianity)|new birth]].<ref name="UMC—Article XVII—Of Baptism" /> It believes that Baptism is a sacrament in which God initiates a covenant with individuals,<ref name="UMC—A United Methodist Understanding of Baptism" /> people become a part of the Church,<ref name="UMC—A United Methodist Understanding of Baptism" /> is not to be repeated,<ref name="UMC—A United Methodist Understanding of Baptism" /> and is a [[Means of Grace|means of grace]].<ref name="UMC—What does The United Methodist Church believe about baptism?" /> The United Methodist Church generally practices Baptism by [[Aspersion|sprinkling]], pouring, or [[Immersion baptism|immersion]]<ref name="UMC: Glossary—Baptism" /> and uses the [[Trinitarian formula]].<ref name="GLFUMC—Sunday Services" /> United Methodists also recognize as valid baptisms performed in several other [[Christian denominations]].<ref name="UMC GBOD—By Water & The Spirit" /> 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 Church|Catholic]] [[dogma]] of [[transubstantiation]].<ref name="This Holy Mystery" /> The Church believes that the bread is an effectual sign of His body [[Death and resurrection of Jesus|crucified]] on the [[Christian cross|cross]] and the [[grape juice|cup]] is an effectual sign of His blood shed for humanity.<ref name="Oremus Bible Browser—Institution of the Lord's Supper" /> 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 (Christianity)|anamnesis]] of Jesus' death,<ref name="UMC—Communion: Overview" /> and believes the sacrament to be a [[Means of Grace|means of grace]],<ref name="The Means of Grace by John Wesley" /> and practices [[open communion]].<ref name="UMC—Our Christian Roots" />
* [[Free will in theology|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 and Christianity|capital punishment]], economic injustice, child labor, racism, and inequality.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://archives.umc.org/interior.asp?mid=1815 |title=General Rules and Social Principles |access-date=October 15, 2014 |archive-date=October 22, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141022052133/http://archives.umc.org/interior.asp?mid=1815 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===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]], [[Justification (theology)|Justifying Grace]], and [[Sanctification|Sanctifying Grace]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=A Wesleyan understanding of grace |url=https://www.resourceumc.org/en/content/a-wesleyan-understanding-of-grace |access-date=2025-03-03 |website=ResourceUMC |language=en}}</ref>

[[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.<ref name="UMC GBGM-Grace" /> 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#Arminianism|salvation]] in Christ.<ref name="UMC GBGM-Grace" />

[[Justification (theology)|Justifying Grace]] or Accepting Grace<ref name="UMC GBGM-Grace"/> 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 to Christianity|conversion]], "accepting Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior," or being "[[Born again Christianity|born again]]."<ref name="UMC GBGM-Grace"/><ref name="CUMC Accepting Christ" /> John Wesley originally called this experience the [[Born again (Christianity)|New Birth]].<ref name="UMC GBGM-The New Birth" /> This experience can occur in different ways; it can be one transforming moment, such as an [[altar call]] experience,<ref name="UMC-Altar Call" /> or it may involve a series of decisions across a period of time.<ref name="IMARC-Quote Two" />

[[Sanctification in Christianity|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.<ref name="William Joseph Whalen - Christian Perfection" />

[[Methodism|Wesleyan theology]] maintains that salvation is the act of God's grace entirely, from invitation, to pardon, to growth in [[Sacred|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 [[Conditional preservation of the saints|salvation can be rejected]].<ref name="Weber/Kalberg-Conditional preservation of the saints">{{cite book |url = https://archive.org/details/pdfy-8fnkKz0SleumNaIz|page = [https://archive.org/details/pdfy-8fnkKz0SleumNaIz/page/n311 91]|quote = salvation can be lost methodist.| title = The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism|year = 2001|publisher = Routledge|access-date =January 4, 2009}}</ref> Wesley emphasized that believers must continue to grow in their relationship with Christ, through the process of Sanctification.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Seedbed |date=2024-02-15 |title=A Wesleyan Account of Sanctifying Grace |url=https://seedbed.com/a-wesleyan-account-of-sanctifying-grace/ |access-date=2025-09-17 |website=Seedbed |language=en-US}}</ref>

A key outgrowth of this theology is the United Methodist dedication not only to the [[Evangelism|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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Our Social Creed {{!}} UMC.org |url=https://www.umc.org/en/content/our-social-creed |access-date=2025-09-17 |website=The United Methodist Church |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=What do we mean by social justice {{!}} UMC.org |url=https://www.umc.org/en/rethink-church/topics/changing-the-world/what-do-we-mean-by-social-justice |access-date=2025-09-17 |website=The United Methodist Church |language=en}}</ref>
===Characterization of Wesleyan theology===
{{Main|Wesleyan theology}}
[[Methodist theology]] stands at a unique crossroads between [[Evangelicalism|evangelical]], [[holiness movement|holiness]] and sacramental,<ref name="Winn"/> as well as between liturgical and [[charismatic (movement)|charismatic]], and between [[Anglo-Catholic]] and [[Reformed churches|Reformed]] worship. It has been characterized as [[Wesleyan–Arminian theology]] with an emphasis on the work of the Holy Spirit to bring [[Sanctification#Methodist|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 [[Christian tradition|tradition]], [[reason]], and [[Born again Christianity|experience]] to interpret it, with the aid of the [[Holy Spirit in Christianity|Holy Spirit]] (see [[Wesleyan Quadrilateral]]).<ref name="UMC—Wesleyan Quadrilateral" /> Therefore, according to ''[[Book of Discipline (United Methodist)|The Book of Discipline]],'' United Methodist theology is at once "catholic, evangelical, and reformed."<ref>2008 Book of Discipline, para. 102, p.59</ref>

Today, the UMC is generally considered one of the more [[moderate]] and [[Toleration|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 Christianity|liberal]] and [[progressive Christianity|progressive]] Protestant groups such as the [[United Church of Christ]] and the [[Episcopal Church (United States)|Episcopal Church]] on certain issues (until recently 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 of the United States|President]] [[George W. Bush]] ([[Republican Party (United States)|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]] ([[Democratic Party (United States)|D]]-MA), former [[United States Secretary of State|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.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Political Preferences of U.S. Religious Groups |url=http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2016/02/23/u-s-religious-groups-and-their-political-leanings//|website=pewforum.org|date=February 23, 2016 |publisher=Pew Research|access-date=October 31, 2017}}</ref>

===Social issues===
{{further|Social Creed (Methodist)|l1=Methodist Social Creed}}

====Abortion====
[[File:United Methodist March for Life - Lifewatch TUMAS.jpg|thumb|UMC clergy and laity at the 2017 United Methodist event for the [[March for Life]] hosted by [[Lifewatch, Taskforce of United Methodists on Abortion and Sexuality]] at the United Methodist Building, [[Washington, D.C.]]]]
The topic of [[Abortion and Christianity|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).<ref name="The 2016 Book of Discipline">{{cite web |title=What is the United Methodist position on abortion? |url=http://www.umc.org/what-we-believe/what-is-the-united-methodist-position-on-abortion |website=The people of The United Methodist Church |publisher=United Methodist Church |access-date=27 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180331123719/http://www.umc.org/what-we-believe/what-is-the-united-methodist-position-on-abortion |archive-date=March 31, 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The denomination is committed to "assist[ing] the ministry of [[crisis pregnancy center]]s and pregnancy resource centers that compassionately help women find feasible alternatives to abortion."<ref name="CPC-UMC">{{cite web|url=http://www.umc.org/what-we-believe/the-nurturing-community|title=The Nurturing Community|publisher=The United Methodist Church|quote=The Church and its local congregations and campus ministries should be in the forefront of supporting existing ministries and developing new ministries that help such women in their communities. They should also support those crisis pregnancy centers and pregnancy resource centers that compassionately help women explore all options related to unplanned pregnancy. We particularly encourage the Church, the government, and social service agencies to support and facilitate the option of adoption. (See ¶ 161L.) We affirm and encourage the Church to assist the ministry of crisis pregnancy centers and pregnancy resource centers that compassionately help women find feasible alternatives to abortion.|date=2012|work=[[The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church]]|access-date=September 15, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140915093759/http://www.umc.org/what-we-believe/the-nurturing-community|archive-date=September 15, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2016, the [[General Conference (United Methodist Church)|United Methodist General Conference]] voted to withdraw from the [[Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice]] (RCRC),<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://unitedmethodistreporter.com/2016/05/19/general-conference-votes-to-withdraw-from-religious-coalition-for-reproductive-choice/|title=General Conference votes to withdraw from Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice|date=May 19, 2016|website=The United Methodist Reporter|author-first1=Jessica|author-last1=Brodie|access-date=May 20, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160521152257/http://unitedmethodistreporter.com/2016/05/19/general-conference-votes-to-withdraw-from-religious-coalition-for-reproductive-choice/|archive-date=May 21, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> an organization in which it formerly held membership.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.umc.org/what-we-believe/support-for-the-religious-coalition-for-reproductive-choice|title=Support for the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice – The United Methodist Church|last=Communications|first=United Methodist|website=The United Methodist Church|access-date=April 25, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160429193551/http://www.umc.org/what-we-believe/support-for-the-religious-coalition-for-reproductive-choice|archive-date=April 29, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[Annual conferences of the United Methodist Church|Annual Conferences]] could still choose whether to remain a part of the RCRC locally.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.umnews.org:443/en/news/oregon-idaho-takes-up-support-for-rcrc-denied-at-gc2016|title=5 conferences join faith coalition on reproductive rights, abortion|website=United Methodist News Service|language=en|access-date=2019-06-13|author-first1=Kathy L.|author-last1=Gilbert}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.cnumc.org/recommendationsandreports |title=Recommendations and Reports |website=www.cnumc.org |language=en |access-date=2019-06-13 |archive-date=August 9, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809083356/https://www.cnumc.org/recommendationsandreports |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.bwcumc.org/news-and-views/conference-debates-resolutions-and-amendments/ |title=Baltimore-Washington Conference UMC |website=www.bwcumc.org |access-date=2019-06-13}}</ref> 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 of the United States|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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://juicyecumenism.com/2016/05/21/36109/|title=United Methodists Repeal Previous Endorsement of Roe v. Wade|first=John|last=Lomperis|date=May 21, 2016}}</ref> As an official organization, however, "the [[General Board of Church and Society]] continues to be an advocate for a full range of safe and legal reproductive health care – including, in certain cases, the option to safely and legally end a pregnancy."<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://umc-gbcs.org/blog/maintaining-our-commitment-to-support-abundant-life-for-women-and-girls |title=Maintaining our Commitment to Support Abundant Life for Women and Girls |author-first1=Susan |author-last1=Henry-Crowe |date=June 2, 2016 |website=General Board of Church & Society |access-date=June 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160603125009/http://umc-gbcs.org/blog/maintaining-our-commitment-to-support-abundant-life-for-women-and-girls |archive-date=June 3, 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

Nevertheless, the United Methodist Church holds that "while we 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'."<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.umc.org/what-we-believe/the-united-methodist-church-and-the-complex-topic-of-abortion|title=The United Methodist Church and the complex topic of abortion – The United Methodist Church|last=Communications|first=United Methodist|website=The United Methodist Church|language=en|access-date=January 24, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202022804/http://www.umc.org/what-we-believe/the-united-methodist-church-and-the-complex-topic-of-abortion|archive-date=February 2, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> 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."<ref name="UMC – Abortion" /> The Church cautions that "Governmental laws and regulations do not provide all the guidance required by the informed Christian conscience."<ref name="UMC – Abortion" /> 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."<ref name="UMC – Abortion" />

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.<ref name="Thomas C. Oden" /> On the other side, the [[Methodist Federation for Social Action]] and [[United Methodist Women]] continue to represent [[Abortion-rights movements|pro-choice]] views.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://mfsaweb.org/wp-content/uploads/Document9.pdf|title=Statement on Reproductive Rights|website=mfsaweb.org|publisher=Methodist Federation for Social Action|access-date=May 20, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161011063050/http://mfsaweb.org/wp-content/uploads/Document9.pdf|archive-date=October 11, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.unitedmethodistwomen.org/news/stumbling-over-reproductive-health|title=Stumbling Over Reproductive Health|last=Sellu|first=Elmira|date=2012|website=unitedmethodistwomen.org|publisher=United Methodist Women|access-date=May 30, 2016|archive-date=May 15, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160515105944/http://www.unitedmethodistwomen.org/news/stumbling-over-reproductive-health|url-status=dead}}</ref>

====Alcohol====
Historically, the Methodist Church has supported the [[temperance movement]].<ref name="Drew University—Temperance" /> [[John Wesley]] warned against the dangers of drinking in his famous sermon, "The Use of Money",<ref name="UMC GBGM- Sermon 50" /> and in his letter to an [[alcoholism|alcoholic]].<ref name="Wesley Heritage Foundation" /><ref name="UMC—Alcohol and Other Drugs2" /> 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."<ref name="UMC—Alcohol and Other Drugs" /> 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."<ref name="UMC—Grape Juice" /> Moreover, in 2011 and 2012, the United Methodist Church's [[General Board of Church and Society]] called on all United Methodists to [[Abstinence|abstain]] from alcohol for [[Lent]].<ref name="Alcohol—Lent1" /><ref name="Alcohol—Lent2" /><ref name="Alcohol—Lent3" />

====Anti-racism====
The United Methodist Constitution says “The United Methodist Church proclaims that from God’s goodness and love, God created all persons as God’s unique and beloved children. Racism opposes God’s law, goodness and love and diminishes the image of God in each person. Fueled by white privilege, white supremacy and colonialism, the sin of racism has been a destructive scourge on global society and throughout the history of The United Methodist Church. It continues to destroy our communities, harm persons, obstruct unity and undermine God’s work in this world. Racism must be eradicated. Therefore, The United Methodist Church commits to confronting and eliminating all forms of racism, racial inequity, colonialism, white privilege and white supremacy, in every facet of its life and in society at large.”
This statement strengthened the United Methodist Church’s commitment to ending racism, and was passed at the 2024 General Conference and ratified into its Constitution by the worldwide church in 2025. <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.resourceumc.org/en/content/article-v-racial-justice|title=Article V: Racial Justice|website=ResourceUMC}}</ref><ref name="auto3">{{Cite web|url=https://www.umnews.org/en/news/church-strengthens-stands-on-inclusion-racism|title=Church strengthens stands on inclusion, racism &#124; UMNews.org|website=United Methodist News Service}}</ref>

====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.<ref name="UMC—Capital Punishment" /> 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.<ref name="UMC—Official church statements on capital punishment" /> The United Methodist Church also believes that Jesus explicitly repudiated the ''[[lex talionis]]'' in [[Matthew 5:38]]–[[Matthew 5:39|39]] and abolished the death penalty in [[John 8]]:7.<ref name="UMC—Capital Punishment" /> The [[General conference (United Methodist Church)|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 [[Evolution|theory of evolution]]. Some clergy have stated that "it's time for people of faith to accept evolution."<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.umc.org/news-and-media/its-time-for-people-of-faith-to-accept-evolution |title=It's time for people of faith to accept evolution |work=UM News |publisher=The United Methodist Church |access-date=May 2, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160416163549/http://www.umc.org/news-and-media/its-time-for-people-of-faith-to-accept-evolution |archive-date=April 16, 2016 |url-status=dead|author-first1=Al|author-last1=Kuelling|date=25 May 2011}}</ref> Additionally, the UMC officially affirms the theory of evolution and "opposes introducing theories such as [[Creationism]] or [[Intelligent design|Intelligent Design]] into public school curriculum."<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.umc.org/what-we-believe/what-is-the-united-methodist-churchs-position-on-evolution|title=What is The United Methodist Church's position on evolution? – The United Methodist Church|last=Communications|first=United Methodist|website=The United Methodist Church|access-date=May 2, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160513181222/http://www.umc.org/what-we-believe/what-is-the-united-methodist-churchs-position-on-evolution|archive-date=May 13, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2016, the denomination denied approval for a creationist group to be officially represented at the church's General Conference.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.christianpost.com/news/united-methodist-church-bans-intelligent-design-group-general-conference-creation-evolution-155368/ |title=United Methodist Church Bans Intelligent Design Group From General Conference|website=Christian Post|date=January 20, 2016 |access-date=May 2, 2016}}</ref>

====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&nbsp;... 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."<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.umc.org/what-we-believe/what-is-the-united-methodist-stance-on-assisted-suicide |title=What is the United Methodist stance on assisted suicide?, United Methodist Church Official Website |access-date=June 9, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160525171303/http://www.umc.org/what-we-believe/what-is-the-united-methodist-stance-on-assisted-suicide |archive-date=May 25, 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://juicyecumenism.com/2018/11/07/methodists-catholics-unite-euthanasia/|title=Methodists and Catholics Unite against Euthanasia|first=Dan|last=Moran|date=November 7, 2018}}</ref>

====Gambling====
The United Methodist Church opposes [[gambling]], believing that it is a [[sin]] which feeds on human [[greed (deadly sin)|greed]] and which invites people to place their trust in possessions, rather than in God, whom Christians should "love ... with all your heart."<ref>{{bibleverse|Mark|12:29–30}}</ref><ref name="UMC—Gambling" /> It quotes the [[Paul the Apostle|Apostle Paul]] who states:{{blockquote|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<ref>{{Bibleverse|1Tim|6:9-10a|NRSV|1 Tim. 6:9-10a}}</ref>}} 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.<ref name="UMC—Gambling" />
* Where [[problem gambling|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.<ref name="UMC—Gambling" />
* 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.<ref name="UMC—Gambling" />

====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.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.umc.org/what-we-believe/gun-violence |title=Book of Resolutions: Gun Violence – the United Methodist Church |access-date=August 30, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150821071141/http://www.umc.org/what-we-believe/gun-violence |archive-date=August 21, 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
The Church also declares all of its churches to be "a weapon-free zone."<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.umc.org/what-we-believe/church-is-a-weapon-free-zone |title=Book of Resolutions: Church is a Weapon-Free Zone – the United Methodist Church |access-date=August 30, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150831072406/http://www.umc.org/what-we-believe/church-is-a-weapon-free-zone |archive-date=August 31, 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

====Sexuality====
{{Main|Homosexuality and Methodism}}
[[File:Seattle - Sand Point Community United Methodist Church 04.jpg|thumb|Sand Point Community United Methodist Church in [[Seattle]] flies a [[pride flag]], April 2014.]]
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.<ref>Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church-2012</ref> During the 2024 General Conference, the United Methodist Church removed previous language prohibiting same-sex marriages and the ordination of partnered LGBTQ clergy.<ref>{{Cite web |last=DeRose |first=Jason |date=May 1, 2024 |title=United Methodist Church lifts bans on LGBTQ clergy and same-sex weddings |url=https://www.npr.org/2024/05/01/1248468256/united-methodist-church-lifts-bans-on-lgbtq-clergy-and-same-sex-weddings |website=NPR}}</ref> According to polling from [[Pew Research Center|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.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.pewforum.org/religious-landscape-study/religious-denomination/united-methodist-church/|title=Religious Landscape Study|date=May 11, 2015|access-date=July 19, 2016}}</ref>

In 1732, the founder of Methodism, [[John Wesley]] was doing prison ministry and he met Thomas Blair, a man incarcerated for homosexuality. While not defending his actions, Wesley spoke up to the Vice Chancellor against the inhumane treatment of Thomas Blair in prison. Blair also faced the possibility of the death penalty. Wesley also defended Blair in court, and while he was found guilty, his life was spared and John Wesley raised funds to pay his fine so he could be released.<ref> https://repository.divinity.edu.au/divinityserver/api/core/bitstreams/72209999-6b99-4fa4-884d-27bd99f4723c/content</ref><ref> https://lgbtqreligiousarchives.org/media/profile/rick-huskey/In%20Your%20Face%20with%20Grace.pdf</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://uwfaith.org/latest-news/2025/jan-feb-response-submit-to-be-more-vile/|title=Jan./Feb. response: Submit to be More Vile|date=January 16, 2025}}</ref>

The United Methodist Church previously prohibited [[blessing of same-sex unions in Christian churches|same-sex unions]].<ref name="UMC—Homosexuality" /> [[Jimmy Creech]] was [[defrocked]] after a highly publicized church trial in 1999 on account of his participation in same-sex union ceremonies.<ref>{{cite news |agency=Associated Press |title=Pastor Defrocked for Holding Gay Marriage |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/11/18/us/pastor-defrocked-for-holding-gay-marriage.html |access-date=January 22, 2014|newspaper=New York Times|date=November 18, 1999}}</ref> Other ministers have been defrocked for officiating at same-sex weddings and several trials of others are scheduled.<ref>{{cite news|last=Goodstein|first=Laurie |title=Defrocking of Minister Widens Split Over Gays |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/20/us/methodist-pastor-defrocked-over-gay-marriage-service.html |access-date=January 22, 2014|newspaper=New York Times|date=December 19, 2013}}</ref> [[Frank Schaefer (minister)|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."<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.umc.org/news-and-media/top-court-affirms-schaefers-reinstatement-as-clergy |first=Linda |last=Bloom |date=Oct 27, 2014 |title=Top court affirms Schaefer's reinstatement as clergy |work=UM News |publisher=The United Methodist Church |access-date=May 20, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160528211217/http://www.umc.org/news-and-media/top-court-affirms-schaefers-reinstatement-as-clergy |archive-date=May 28, 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Other clergy, who officiated at same-sex marriages, had avoided trials.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.charlotteobserver.com/living/religion/article100229657.html |title=Charlotte pastor who married same-sex couple will keep job, avoid church trial |access-date=September 18, 2016|author-first1=Tim|author-last1=Funk|year=2016|website=The Charlotte Observer}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2016/sep/7/charlotte-pastor-keeps-job-after-holding-same-sex-/ |title=Val Rosenquist, Methodist pastor, to keep job despite performing same-sex wedding |work=The Washington Times |access-date=September 18, 2016}}</ref> 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."<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.umc.org/news-and-media/pastor-avoids-church-trial-in-same-sex-wedding |title=Pastor avoids church trial in same-sex wedding |author-first1=Heather|author-last1=Hahn|date=7 September 2016|work=United Methodist News|publisher=The United Methodist Church |access-date=September 18, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160910141050/http://www.umc.org/news-and-media/pastor-avoids-church-trial-in-same-sex-wedding |archive-date=September 10, 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 1971, [[Gene Leggett]] was defrocked for being homosexual in southern [[Texas]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1971/06/03/archives/homosexual-minister-is-ousted-by-southwest-texas-methodists-action.html|title=Homosexual Minister Is Ousted By Southwest Texas Methodists|date=1971-06-03|work=The New York Times|access-date=2020-04-07|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> In 1987, a United Methodist church court in [[New Hampshire]] [[defrocked]] Methodist minister Rose Mary Denman for openly living with a same-sex partner.<ref name="New York Times" /> 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.<ref name="Religious Tolerance—Homosexuality UMC" /> 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.<ref name="UMNS—Judicial Council denies reconsideration of two decisions" />

On the other hand, hundreds of United Methodist ministers had 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.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cnn.com/2016/05/09/living/methodist-clergy-lgbt/|title=Dozens of gay and lesbian Methodist clergy come out|last=Burke|first=Daniel|date=May 9, 2016|publisher=[[CNN]]|language=en|access-date=May 20, 2016|quote=Dozens of United Methodist clergy members came out as lesbian, gay or bisexual on Monday, defying their church's ban on "self-avowed practicing homosexuals" serving in ministry and essentially daring their supervisors to discipline them. ...The United Methodists' Book of Discipline states that all people are of "sacred worth" but denounces the "practice of homosexuality" as "incompatible with Christian teaching." Openly gay and lesbian clergy members can be removed from ministry. A Kansas minister who came out to her congregation in January, for example, faced a church trial. Such trials could be hard to prosecute, however. In 2011, a church court declined to discipline a lesbian pastor because she refused to answer personal questions about her sexuality.}}</ref> The New York body also ordained the first openly gay and lesbian clergy.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.nyac.com/newsdetail/33-ordained-commissioned-by-new-york-conference-5012427|first1=Joanne S.|last1=Utley|title=27 Ordained, Commissioned in "Historic" Service|website=New York Annual Conference|date=June 11, 2016|access-date=June 13, 2016}}</ref> In addition, the Baltimore-Washington Conference of the UMC approved the appointment of an openly partnered lesbian to the diaconate.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.episcopalcafe.com/us-united-methodists-vs-african-asian-united-methodists/|title=US United Methodists vs African & Asian United Methodists|website=Episcopal Cafe|last1=Allen|first1=David|date=5 March 2016|language=en-US|access-date=March 7, 2016|archive-date=March 6, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306102322/http://www.episcopalcafe.com/us-united-methodists-vs-african-asian-united-methodists/|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2016, the Western Jurisdiction elected the denomination's first openly and partnered lesbian bishop.<ref>{{Cite web|first1=Kathy L.|last1=Gilbert|date=July 15, 2016|url=http://www.umc.org/news-and-media/western-jurisdiction-elects-openly-gay-united-methodist-bishop |title=Western Jurisdiction elects openly gay United Methodist bishop |work=UM News |publisher=The United Methodist Church |access-date=July 16, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160717170248/http://www.umc.org/news-and-media/western-jurisdiction-elects-openly-gay-united-methodist-bishop |archive-date=July 17, 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref>  While not elected, the UMC reported that the North Central Jurisdiction considered the nomination of an openly gay pastor for bishop.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.umc.org/news-and-media/3-gay-pastors-among-nominees-for-bishop |title=3 gay pastors among nominees for bishop |work=UM News |publisher=The United Methodist Church |access-date=September 22, 2016 |first1=Kathy L.|last1=Gilbert|date=June 29, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160926144238/http://www.umc.org/news-and-media/3-gay-pastors-among-nominees-for-bishop |archive-date=September 26, 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://religionblog.dallasnews.com/2007/10/transgender-pastor-can-keep-se.html/|title=Transgender pastor can keep serving|last=Hodges|first=Sam|website=Texas Faith Blog|date=31 October 2007|publisher=The Dallas Morning News|access-date=April 25, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160508152040/http://religionblog.dallasnews.com/2007/10/transgender-pastor-can-keep-se.html/|archive-date=May 8, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> In particular, the first openly transgender pastor within the UMC received overwhelming support from his congregation.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.npr.org/sections/bryantpark/2007/10/methodists_vote_to_keep_transg.html|title=Methodists Vote to Keep Transgender Pastor|newspaper=NPR|date=October 30, 2007|access-date=April 25, 2016|last1=Bartolone|first1=Pauline}}</ref> In 2016, the South Carolina Annual Conference passed a resolution urging support for non-discrimination protections for transgender people.<ref>{{Cite web |author-first1=Jessica|author-last1=Brodie|url=http://www.advocatesc.org/2016/06/from-education-to-race-and-transgender-nondiscrimination-six-resolutions-pass-annual-conference/|title=From education to nondiscrimination: Six resolutions pass Annual Conference|website=South Carolina United Methodist Advocate|publisher=South Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church|date=June 14, 2016 |access-date=June 20, 2016}}</ref> In 2017, the Northern Illinois Conference commissioned M Barclay as a Deacon and they became the first openly [[non-binary]] [[Transgender|trans]] person commissioned in the denomination.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.umc.org/news-and-media/transgender-person-commissioned-as-deacon |title=Transgender person commissioned as deacon |work=UM News |publisher=The United Methodist Church |first1=Heather|last1=Hahn|date=June 5, 2017|access-date=June 5, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170605173827/http://www.umc.org/news-and-media/transgender-person-commissioned-as-deacon |archive-date=June 5, 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

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 at the time 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.<ref name=Consecration>{{Cite web |url=http://www.umc.org/news-and-media/consecration-of-gay-bishop-against-church-law |title=Consecration of gay bishop against church law |work=UM News |publisher=The United Methodist Church |first1=Linda|last1=Bloom|date=April 28, 2017|access-date=April 29, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170502220007/http://www.umc.org/news-and-media/consecration-of-gay-bishop-against-church-law |archive-date=May 2, 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.umc.org/news-and-media/blogs-commentaries/post/commentary-attorney-on-confusion-over-olivetos-status |first1=Richard|last1=Marsh|date=May 3, 2017|title=Commentary: Attorney on confusion over Oliveto's status |work=UM News |publisher=The United Methodist Church |access-date=May 9, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170508225934/http://www.umc.org/news-and-media/blogs-commentaries/post/commentary-attorney-on-confusion-over-olivetos-status |archive-date=May 8, 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The Judicial Council also ruled that Boards of Ordained Ministry must evaluate all candidates regarding issues of sexuality.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.umc.org/news-and-media/review-all-clergy-qualifications-court-says|first1=Linda|last1=Bloom|date=April 28, 2017|title=Review all clergy qualifications, court says |work=UM News |publisher=The United Methodist Church |access-date=April 29, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170429060737/http://www.umc.org/news-and-media/review-all-clergy-qualifications-court-says |archive-date=April 29, 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

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.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.advocate.com/religion/2018/5/05/methodist-bishops-back-choice-lgbt-clergy-same-sex-marriage|website=Advocate|publisher=Equal Entertainment LLC|first1=Trudy|last1=Ring|date=May 5, 2018|title=Methodist Bishops Back Choice on LGBT Clergy, Same-Sex Marriage}}</ref> 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.<ref name=Zauzmer>{{cite news |url= https://www.washingtonpost.com/religion/2019/02/26/united-methodist-church-votes-maintain-its-opposition-same-sex-marriage-gay-clergy/ |title=United Methodist Church votes to maintain its opposition to same-sex marriage, gay clergy |newspaper = [[The Washington Post]]|date = February 26, 2019|access-date = February 26, 2019|author-last1 = Weil|author-first1 = Julie Zauzmer|author-last2 = Bailey|author-first2 = Sarah Pulliam}}</ref> The vote was 53 percent in favor of the Traditional Plan, the plan maintaining and strengthening the official position, to 47 percent opposed.<ref name="NYTimes20190226">{{Cite news |last1=Williams |first1=Timothy |last2=Dias |first2=Elizabeth |date=2019-02-26 |title=United Methodists Tighten Ban on Same-Sex Marriage and Gay Clergy |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/26/us/united-methodists-vote.html |access-date=2019-02-27 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> The Judicial Council had already ruled some parts of the Traditional Plan to be unconstitutional.<ref>{{Cite web|first1=Emily|last1=McFarlan Miller|url=https://religionnews.com/2019/02/26/united-methodists-pass-traditional-plan-strengthens-ban-on-lgbtq-clergy-same-sex-marriage/|title=United Methodists pass Traditional Plan, keep ban on LGBTQ clergy, same-sex marriage |date=2019-02-26|website=Religion News Service|language=en-US|access-date=2019-03-03}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.umnews.org:443/en/news/court-to-gc2019-legislation-needs-more-work|title=Court to GC2019: Legislation needs more work|first1=Linda|last1=Bloom|date=February 26, 2019|website=United Methodist News Service|language=en|access-date=2019-03-03}}</ref> The delegates also voted to send the plan for further review by the Judicial Council.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.umnews.org:443/en/news/call-for-general-conference-review|title=Call for General Conference review|last1=Warren|first1=Jeffrey|date=26 February 2019|website=United Methodist News Service|language=en|access-date=2019-03-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190421202248/https://www.umnews.org/en/news/call-for-general-conference-review|archive-date=April 21, 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.denverpost.com/2019/03/01/colorado-gay-methodist-clergy-lgtbq-restrictions/|last1=Tabachnik|first1=Sam|title=Gay Methodist clergy in Colorado vow to remain "out and loud" after church strengthens LGBTQ restrictions|date=2019-03-01 |website=The Denver Post|language=en-US|access-date=2019-03-03}}</ref> In March 2019, the German Central Conference announced that it would not be imposing the Traditional Plan.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.umnews.org:443/en/news/german-church-wont-impose-traditional-plan-bans|title=German church won't impose Traditional Plan bans|website=United Methodist News Service|language=en|access-date=2019-03-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191114011139/https://www.umnews.org/en/news/german-church-wont-impose-traditional-plan-bans|archive-date=November 14, 2019|url-status=dead|author-first1=Klaus Ulrich|author-last1=Ruof}}</ref> Before the denomination restructured in 2025 through Worldwide Regionalization, the US jurisdictions and Annual Conferences (local governing bodies) were unable to adapt the Book of Discipline like the (formerly-named) Central Conferences (outside the United States). Despite this, the [[Annual conferences of the United Methodist Church|Western Jurisdiction]] declared their disagreement with the 2019 Traditional Plan and vowed to maintain LGBTQ inclusive policies.<ref>{{Cite press release|url=http://westernjurisdictionumc.org/western-jurisdiction-umc-bishops-video-statement-script/|title=Western Jurisdiction UMC Bishops video statement script|date=2019-03-01|website=Western Jurisdiction of The UMC|language=en-US|access-date=2019-03-12|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190305071444/http://westernjurisdictionumc.org/western-jurisdiction-umc-bishops-video-statement-script/|archive-date=5 March 2019}}</ref> In April 2019, the Judicial Council ruled on the 17 petitions of the Traditional Plan, upholding 10 as valid and rejecting 7 as unconstitutional.<ref>{{Cite web|first1=Linda|last1=Bloom|date=April 26, 2019|url=https://www.umnews.org:443/en/news/court-oks-part-of-traditional-plan-exit-plan|title=Court OKs part of Traditional Plan, exit plan|website=United Methodist News Service|language=en|access-date=2019-04-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190806145215/https://www.umnews.org/en/news/court-oks-part-of-traditional-plan-exit-plan|archive-date=August 6, 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://religionnews.com/2019/04/26/united-methodist-court-upholds-traditional-plans-ban-on-lgbt-clergy-same-sex-marriage/ |title=United Methodist court upholds Traditional Plan's ban on LGBTQ clergy, same sex marriage|date=2019-04-26|website=Religion News Service|language=en-US|access-date=2019-04-27|author-first1=Emily|author-last1=McFarlan Miller}}</ref>

On January 3, 2020, some denominational leaders along with various advocacy groups submitted a plan called, "Protocol of Reconciliation and Grace through Separation," to [[Schism#Christianity|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 [[List of Methodist denominations#North America|Methodist denomination]] (which came to be the [[Global Methodist Church]]), 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.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /><ref name="wesleyancovenant.org"/> 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.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/religion/2020/01/03/united-methodist-church-is-expected-split-over-gay-marriage-disagreement-fracturing-nations-third-largest-denomination/|author-last=Weil|author-first=Julie Zauzmer|date=2020-01-03|title=United Methodist Church is expected to split over gay marriage, fracturing the nation's third-largest denomination|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|department=Religion|url-access=limited|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200103225928/https://www.washingtonpost.com/religion/2020/01/03/united-methodist-church-is-expected-split-over-gay-marriage-disagreement-fracturing-nations-third-largest-denomination/|archive-date=2020-01-03|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{cite web|url=https://www.unitedmethodistbishops.org/newsdetail/united-methodist-traditionalists-centrists-progressives-bishops-sign-agreement-aimed-at-separation-13133654|title=United Methodist Traditionalists, Centrists, Progressives & Bishops sign agreement aimed at separation|date=2020-01-03|work=Bishop News {{!}} Ministries|publisher=The United Methodist Church Council of Bishops|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200103224049/https://www.unitedmethodistbishops.org/newsdetail/united-methodist-traditionalists-centrists-progressives-bishops-sign-agreement-aimed-at-separation-13133654|archive-date=2020-01-03|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}</ref>{{Update inline|date=June 2020|reason=}} The vote was later postponed to 2021 due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref>{{cite news |last= Fox|first= Ashley|date= 2020-06-14|title= Methodists plan vote on church split in '21|url= https://www.vindy.com/news/local-news/2020/06/methodists-plan-vote-on-church-split-in-21/|work= The Vindicator|location= Youngstown|access-date= 2020-06-27}}</ref> Progressives, too, announced the creation of a new denomination in November 2020, the Liberation Methodist Connexion.<ref name="Miller2020"/><ref name="Astle2020"/> In 2022, the Western Jurisdiction elected a second openly gay bishop, [[Cedrick Bridgeforth]], who also is the denomination's first Black gay Bishop.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Astle |first=Cynthia |date=2022-11-08 |title=United Methodists elect married gay clergyman among 13 new bishops who represent many other firsts |url=https://baptistnews.com/article/united-methodists-elect-married-gay-clergyman-among-13-new-bishops-who-represent-many-other-firsts/ |access-date=2022-11-08 |website=Baptist News Global |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Gryboski |first=Michael |date=2022-11-08 |title=UMC body elects openly gay bishop in defiance of denomination's rules |url=https://www.christianpost.com/news/umc-body-elects-openly-gay-bishop-in-defiance-of-denomination.html |access-date=2022-11-08 |website=The Christian Post |language=en-US}}</ref>

During the 2024 General Conference, on April 25, 2024, the delegates passed a proposal to restructure the UMC, establishing regionalization that would allow each region to determine its own standards for same-sex marriage and the ordination of partnered LGBTQ clergy.<ref>{{Cite web |title=General Conference gives regionalization green light |url=https://www.umnews.org/en/news/regionalization-gets-general-conference-go-ahead|first1=Heather|last1=Hahn|first2=Eveline|last2=Chikwanah|first3=Sam|last3=Hodges|date=April 25, 2024|access-date=2024-04-29 |website=United Methodist News Service |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-04-26 |title=United Methodist Church moves closer to enabling regional decisions, paving the way for LGBTQ rights within church|via=CBS News |publisher=The Associated Press|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/united-methodists-lgbtq-other-issues-change-endorse/ |access-date=2024-04-29 |language=en-US}}</ref> Due to the proposal being a constitutional change, the proposal will need to be ratified by a two-thirds majority of votes cast during the local Annual Conferences.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shimron |first=Yonat |date=2024-04-25 |title=United Methodists vote to restructure worldwide church |url=https://religionnews.com/2024/04/25/united-methodists-vote-to-restructure-worldwide-church-into-four-parts/ |access-date=2024-04-29 |website=Religion News Service |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-04-25 |title=United Methodists endorse change that could give regions more say on LGBTQ and other issues |first1=Peter|last1=Smith|url=https://apnews.com/article/united-methodist-disaffiliation-lgbtq-regionalization-samesex-marriage-d429bb838c31f1899dbc48fbddb03197 |access-date=2024-04-29 |website=AP News |language=en}}</ref> In November 2025, Worldwide Regionalization was ratified, renaming former Central Conferences to Regional Conferences and creating a US Regional Conference granting equal autonomy between Regions around the world, decolonizing the United Methodist Church.<ref name="auto"/><ref name="auto2"/> Multiple petitions were brought to amend statutory language regarding sexuality during General Conference. On April 30, 2024, the UMC removed penalties for clergy performing same-sex marriages, removed the ban on funding for LGBTQ-affirming organizations, and removed the prohibition on considering openly LGBTQ candidates for ordained ministry.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-04-30|first1=Peter|last1=Smith|title=United Methodists begin to reverse longstanding anti-LGBTQ policies |url=https://apnews.com/article/united-methodist-church-lgbtq-policies-general-conference-fa9a335a74bdd58d138163401cd51b54 |access-date=2024-04-30 |website=AP News |language=en}}</ref> On May 1, 2024, the General Conference of the UMC voted to repeal the prior prohibitions against clergy performing same-sex marriages and the ordination of openly partnered LGBTQ clergy.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Graham |first=Ruth |date=2024-05-01 |title=United Methodist Church Reverses Ban on Practicing Gay Clergy |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/01/us/methodist-church-gay-ban-lgbtq.html |access-date=2024-05-01 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Gamble |first=Justin |date=2024-05-01 |title=United Methodist Church lifts 40-year ban on LGBTQ clergy |url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/05/01/us/united-methodist-church-lgbtq-clergy-reaj/index.html |access-date=2024-05-01 |website=CNN |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Irwin |first=Lauren |date=2024-05-01 |title=United Methodists repeal ban on LGBTQ clergy |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/lgbtq/4635784-united-methodist-church-repeals-lgbtq-clergy-ban/ |access-date=2024-05-01 |website=The Hill |language=en-US}}</ref> On May 2, the General Conference voted to approve more petitions, which amended the UMC Social Principles to remove language stating that "the practice of homosexuality ... is incompatible with Christian teaching"; revises the language on marriage to state that it is "a sacred lifelong covenant that brings two people of faith [adult man and woman of consenting age or two adult persons of consenting age] into union with one another and into deeper relationship with God and the religious community"; states opposition to both child marriage and polygamy; and affirms support for consent in sexual relations.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Adams |first=Liam |title=UMC live updates: United Methodists strike down 52-year-old statement on homosexuality and Christianity |url=https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/religion/2024/05/02/united-methodist-church-umc-updates-general-conference-social-principles-same-sex-union-votes/73505566007/ |access-date=2024-05-02 |website=The Tennessean |language=en-US|date=2 May 2024|url-access=limited}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |first1=Heather|last1=Hahn|date=May 2, 2024|title=Church ends 52-year-old anti-gay stance |url=https://www.umnews.org/en/news/church-ends-52-year-old-anti-gay-stance |access-date=2024-05-02 |website=United Methodist News Service |language=en}}</ref> On May 3, during the final day of business, the General Conference removed language from church law imposing potential penalties for officiating at same-sex weddings, penalties for being in a same-sex relationship themselves, prohibitions against clergy from officiating or churches hosting same-sex weddings, and mandates that clergy practice celibacy in singleness. In addition, General Conference added language allowing clergy to abstain from officiating any weddings. The Conference maintained the chargeable offense of "immorality" but voted against defining the offense to include infidelity or non-celibacy.<ref>{{Cite web |title=United Methodists remove same-sex wedding ban |first1=Heather|last1=Hahn|date=May 3, 2024|url=https://www.umnews.org/en/news/united-methodists-remove-same-sex-wedding-ban |access-date=2024-05-04 |website=United Methodist News Service |language=en}}</ref>

At the 2024 General Conference, a Constitutional Amendment was passed adding gender and ability to the membership nondiscrimination statement and was ratified in 2025 by the worldwide church, reading “All persons, without regard to race, gender, ability, color, national origin, status, or economic condition, shall be eligible to attend its worship services, participate in its programs, receive the sacraments, upon baptism be admitted as baptized members, and upon taking vows declaring the Christian faith, become professing members in any local church in the connection.”
<ref name="auto3"/><ref name="auto3"/>

====Military service====
{{Further|Christian pacifism#Holiness pacifists}}
According to ''The Book of Resolutions of The United Methodist Church'', "The United Methodist Church calls upon all who choose to [[Military service|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...."<ref name="UMC—Just War" />

The United Methodist Church opposes [[conscription]] as incompatible with the teaching of Scripture.<ref name="UMC—Military Service" /> Therefore, the Church supports and extends its ministry to those [[Christian pacifism|persons]] who [[Conscientious objection|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."<ref name="UMC—Military Service" />

The United Methodist Church maintains that [[war]] is incompatible with [[Jesus Christ|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.<ref name="UMC—War and Peace" /> 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.<ref name="UMC—War and Peace" />

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.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.umc.org/en/who-we-are/history |website=The United Methodist Church|title=Our History }}</ref>

====Pornography====
The United Methodist Church teaches that [[pornography]] is "not only about sex; it is often about violence, degradation, exploitation, and coercion," and their website states that the Church "oppose[s] all forms of pornography."<ref>{{Cite web |title=BOR #2081: Pornography and Sexual Violence |url=https://www.resourceumc.org/en/partners/um-sexual-ethics/home/content/bor-2081-pornography-and-sexual-violence |access-date=2024-07-10 |website=ResourceUMC |language=en}}</ref> 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 [[Social effects of pornography|their perspective]], relationships with parishioners and family, and their perceptions of girls and women."<ref name="UMC—Pornography" />

====Stem cell research====
The UMC supports federal funding for research on embryos created for [[in vitro fertilization|''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.<ref name="UMC—Stem Cell Research"/> 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."<ref name="UMC—Stem Cell Research" /> It supports research on stem cells retrieved from umbilical cords and [[adult stem cells]], stating that there are "few moral questions" raised by [[Stem cell controversy|this issue]].<ref name="UMC—Stem Cell Research"/>

==Worship and liturgy==
[[File:Advent Wreath (Broadway United Methodist Church).jpg|thumb|upright|right|An [[Advent wreath]] in the [[chancel]] of Broadway United Methodist Church, located in [[New Philadelphia, Ohio]]]]
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."<ref>Works of John Wesley, vol. XVI, page 304</ref> 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.

Like other historic Christian churches,{{dubious|date=August 2018}} the United Methodist Church has official [[liturgy|liturgies]] for services of [[Eucharist|Holy Communion]], [[baptism]], [[wedding]]s, [[funeral]]s, [[ordination]], [[anointing of the Sick|anointing of the sick]] and [[canonical hours|daily office]] prayer services. Some clergy offer [[faith healing|healing services]], while [[Exorcism in Christianity|exorcism]] is an occasional practice by some clergy in The United Methodist Church in Africa.<ref name="Karen B. Westerfield Tucker - Healing Service" /><ref name="Andy Langford - Healing Service" /><ref name="Robert Famighetti - Exorcism" /><ref name="Ranger" /> These services involve the [[laying on of hands]] and anointing with [[Holy anointing oil|oil]].<ref name="Karen B. Westerfield Tucker - Anointing and Laying" /> Along with these, there are also special services for [[Liturgical year|holy days]] such as [[All Saints' Day|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)]]''.<ref>2008 ''Book of Discipline'' paragraph 1114.3</ref> Many of these liturgies are derived from the [[Anglicanism|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, [[vestment]]s, 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.<ref>{{cite book|title=The United Methodist Hymnal|page=7}}{{full citation needed|date=May 2025}}</ref>
* 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 [[Eucharist|Holy Communion]] on a weekly basis, as [[John Wesley]] himself encouraged his followers to practice.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Duty of Constant Communion|url=http://wesley.nnu.edu/john_wesley/sermons/101.htm|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090727021645/http://wesley.nnu.edu/john_wesley/sermons/101.htm|archive-date=July 27, 2009|access-date=January 21, 2009|format=Sermon|via=Wesley Center Online|publisher=Northwest Nazarene University|last1=Wesley|first1=John}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://archives.umc.org/frames.asp?url=http%3A//gbod.org/worship/thisholymystery/default.html|title=This Holy Mystery|access-date=January 21, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110327111927/http://archives.umc.org/frames.asp?url=http%3A//gbod.org/worship/thisholymystery/default.html|archive-date=March 27, 2011}}</ref>
* [[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 [[Testimony#Religion|testimonies]], Scripture readings and hymn singing.<ref name="Discipleship2016">{{cite book|title=Guidelines Small Group Ministries|date=15 November 2016|author1=General Board Of Discipleship of The United Methodist Church|language=en|isbn=9781501829918|page=31|publisher=Cokesbury}}</ref>
* Giving. Almost every service has an opportunity for those gathered to give of their "[[Tithe#Methodist Churches|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 meeting|revival services]] are a traditional worship practice of Methodism that are often held in United Methodist churches, as well as at outdoor [[camp meeting]]s and at [[tent revival]]s.<ref name="Winn"/><ref name="Dresser2015">{{cite book|last=Dresser|first=Thomas|title=Martha's Vineyard: A History|date=4 May 2015|publisher=Arcadia Publishing Incorporated|language=en|isbn=9781625849045|page=57}}</ref><ref name="ChilcoteWarner2008">{{cite book|last1=Chilcote|first1=Paul W.|last2=Warner|first2=Laceye C.|title=The Study of Evangelism: Exploring a Missional Practice of the Church|date=13 February 2008|publisher=Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing|language=en|isbn=9780802803917|page=206}}</ref>

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.<ref name="Chancel" />  The chancel also features the [[Christian Flag]] and sometimes, a [[processional cross]].<ref name="Flag" /><ref name="ChristianFlag" /> The chancel is often delimited by [[altar rail|chancel rails]], sometimes with a [[Mourners' bench|mourner's bench]] in front of it.<ref name="Miller2011">{{cite book|last=Miller|first=Bonita|title=Little Clifty United Methodist Church: Its History Through Its People|date=9 June 2011|publisher=Little Clifty United Methodist Church|language=en|isbn=9781456867812|pages=36–}}</ref>

===Order of worship===
A typical United Methodist order of worship may include the following elements:<ref name="typicaOrderOfWorship" />
[[File:Methodistcommunion2.jpg|thumb|upright=1|right|An [[Elder (United Methodist)|Elder]] presides over [[Holy Communion]]]]

====Gathering====
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
*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
*Gloria Patri
{{div col end}}

====Prayers====
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
*Joys and Concerns
*Prayer of Confession
*Absolution
*The Lord's Prayer
*Pastoral Prayer
*Collect
*Prayer of Intercession
*Bidding Prayer
*Prayer of the People
{{div col end}}

====Proclamation====
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
*Choral Anthem
*Choral Worship
*Drama Presentation
*The Lessons<br />(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
{{div col end}}

====Response====
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
*Affirmation of Faith
*Litany of Response
*Altar Call and Conversion
*Invitation to Discipleship
*Offertory
*Doxology
*Hymn of Response
{{div col end}}

====Going forth====
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
*Benediction
*Closing Prayer
*Extinguishing of the Candles
*Choral Response
*The Recessional
*Postlude
{{div col end}}

===Saints===
{{Main|Saints in Methodism}}

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.<ref>{{Bibleverse|1 Corinthians|11:1}}</ref>  Such exemplary saints include [[martyr]]s, [[Confessor of the Faith|confessors of the Faith]], [[Evangelism|evangelists]], or important [[bible|biblical]] figures such as [[Saint Matthew]]. Lutheran theologian and anti-[[Nazi Party|Nazi]] martyr [[Dietrich Bonhoeffer]], [[The Salvation Army|Salvation Army]] founder [[William Booth]], African missionary [[David Livingstone]] and Methodism's revered founder [[John Wesley]] are among many cited as Protestant saints.<ref name="Saints" />

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."<ref name="Discipline"/>

==Organization==
[[File:Hartzell Memorial United Methodist Church.jpg|thumb|right|Hartzell Memorial United Methodist church in [[Chicago]], United States]]
[[File:Division Street, Metairie, Louisiana, 8 March 2023 - Korean Methodist Church sign.jpg|thumb|right|New Orleans Korean United Methodist Church in [[Metairie]], Louisiana, United States]]

===Governance===
The church is decentralized with the [[General conference (United Methodist Church)|General Conference]] being the official governing body. However, administratively the church has a [[ecclesiastical polity|governing structure]] that is similar to that of the [[Federal government of the United States|United States government]]:
* [[General conference (United Methodist Church)|General Conference]]—The [[legislative branch]] that makes all decisions as to doctrine and polity.
* [[United Methodist Council of Bishops|Council of Bishops]]—When taken into consideration 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."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://archives.umc.org/interior.asp?mid=258&GID=62&GMOD=VWD&GCAT=C |title=Council of Bishops—umc.or—Retrieved February 3, 2008 |publisher=Archives.umc.org |date=November 6, 2006 |access-date=July 25, 2012}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.umc.org/who-we-are/council-of-bishops |title=Council of Bishops |website=The people of The United Methodist Church |publisher=United Methodist Church |access-date=2019-07-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190714233020/http://www.umc.org/who-we-are/council-of-bishops |archive-date=July 14, 2019 |url-status=dead }}<br />{{cite web |url=http://bishops.umc.org/interior.asp?ptid=21&mid=5856 |title=Introduction to the Council of Bishops |publisher=Bishops.umc.org |date=February 8, 2008 |access-date=July 25, 2012 |archive-date=April 5, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070405050022/http://bishops.umc.org/interior.asp?ptid=21&mid=5856 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* [[#Judicial Council|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.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.umc.org/what-we-believe/glossary-j |title=Glossary: Judicial Council |website=The people of The United Methodist Church |publisher=United Methodist Church |access-date=2019-07-14 |archive-date=July 15, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190715041607/http://www.umc.org/what-we-believe/glossary-j |url-status=dead }}<br />{{cite web |url=http://archives.umc.org/interior.asp?mid=258&GID=80&GMOD=VWD&GCAT=J |title=Judicial Council |publisher=Archives.umc.org |date=November 6, 2006 |access-date=July 25, 2012 }}</ref>

[[File:Zion United Methodist Church.jpg|thumb|right|Zion United Methodist Church in [[Denmark, Wisconsin]], United States]]

{{multiple image
 | align = right
 | direction = vertical
 | width = 200
 | header = 
 | image1 = WTMP po-kus 0162.JPG
 | alt1 = A tan church exterior with palm trees (Knox United Methodist Church)
 | class1 = bg-transparent
 | caption1 = 
 | image2 = WTMP Team Super Proxy DSC 8928.JPG
 | alt2 = A church exterior that is gray and teal (Central United Methodist Church)
| caption2 = [[Knox United Methodist Church]] in [[Santa Cruz, Manila]] (above) and [[Central United Methodist Church (Manila)|Central United Methodist Church]] in [[Ermita]], [[Manila]] (below) were the first two Methodist churches in [[The Philippines]]<ref>{{Cite web | title=Philmethodist.com | url=http://www.philmethodist.com/ | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090210191119/http://www.philmethodist.com/ | archive-date=2009-02-10 | access-date=2025-09-29}}</ref>
}}

===General Conference===
The United Methodist Church is organized into conferences. The highest level is called the ''[[General conference (United Methodist Church)|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 ''[[Book of Discipline (United Methodist)|The Book of Discipline]]'' which is revised after each General Conference. Non-legislative resolutions are recorded in the ''Book of Resolutions'', which is 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,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.umc.org/site/apps/nlnet/content3.aspx?c=lwL4KnN1LtH&b=2041977&ct=7671527 |title=Portland to Host 2016 United Methodist General Conference |website=The people of The United Methodist Church |publisher=United Methodist Church |access-date=January 4, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140105004411/http://www.umc.org/site/apps/nlnet/content3.aspx?c=lwL4KnN1LtH&b=2041977&ct=7671527 |archive-date=January 5, 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref> and [[St. Louis Missouri|St. Louis, Missouri]], in 2019.<ref>{{cite web|author-last1=Iovino|author-first1=Joe|url=https://www.umc.org/en/content/what-happened-and-what-didnt-at-general-conference-2019|title=What happened and what didn't at General Conference 2019|publisher=United Methodist Church|access-date=28 July 2022|date=4 March 2019|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250416040726/https://www.umc.org/en/content/what-happened-and-what-didnt-at-general-conference-2019|archive-date=16 April 2025}}</ref> 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 [[Parliamentarian (consultant)|parliamentarians]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.umc.org/site/c.lwL4KnN1LtH/b.3082929/apps/nl/content3.asp?content_id=%7BB7B150CB-BD8C-4A1C-A78B-976C06ABF738%7D&notoc=1 |title=General Conference 101: All you ever wanted to know |author-first1=J. Richard |author-last1=Peck |date=July 6, 2007 |website=The people of The United Methodist Church |publisher=United Methodist Church |access-date=July 25, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120602192014/http://www.umc.org/site/c.lwL4KnN1LtH/b.3082929/apps/nl/content3.asp?content_id=%7BB7B150CB-BD8C-4A1C-A78B-976C06ABF738%7D&notoc=1 |archive-date=2012-06-02}}</ref>

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:<blockquote>"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,"<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://religionnews.com/2019/08/13/united-methodist-church-scraps-plans-to-host-general-conference-in-the-philippines/|title=United Methodist Church scraps plans to host General Conference in the Philippines|author-first1=Emily|author-last1=McFarlan Miller|date=13 August 2019|website=Religion News Service|url-status=live|archive-date=4 December 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241204184211/https://religionnews.com/2019/08/13/united-methodist-church-scraps-plans-to-host-general-conference-in-the-philippines/}}</ref></blockquote>

===Jurisdictional and central conferences===
Subordinate to the General Conference are the [[Conferences of the United Methodist Church|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.<ref>{{cite book|chapter=Art. 101 |title=Book of Discipline 2016 of the United Methodist Church}}</ref> Bishops thus elected serve ''[[Episcopal area (United Methodist Church)|episcopal area]]s'', which consist of one or more ''[[Annual conferences within Methodism|annual conference]]s''.

In the US,<!-- central conferences have executive committees for that purpose --> 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 {{convert|36|acre|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.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.umc.org/who-we-are/council-of-bishops |title=Council of Bishops |website=The people of The United Methodist Church |publisher=United Methodist Church |access-date=2019-07-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190714233020/http://www.umc.org/who-we-are/council-of-bishops |archive-date=July 14, 2019 |url-status=dead }}<br />{{cite web |url=http://bishops.umc.org/umns/intlnews_archive.asp?ptid=2&story=%7B9A8E4E8C-A22C-48CA-9C3E-BEEE4E42D4A4%7D&mid=881 |title=Bishop criticizes press, White House on Iraq |publisher=Bishops.umc.org |date=February 8, 2008 |access-date=July 25, 2012 |archive-date=July 7, 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120707001459/http://bishops.umc.org/umns/intlnews_archive.asp?ptid=2&story=%7B9A8E4E8C-A22C-48CA-9C3E-BEEE4E42D4A4%7D&mid=881 |url-status=dead }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wfn.org/2008/02/msg00005.html |title=Bush library opponents question process for approval |author-first1=J. Richard |author-last1=Peck |website=Worldwide Faith News |date=February 1, 2008 |access-date=July 25, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120112222608/http://www.wfn.org/2008/02/msg00005.html |archive-date=January 12, 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Judicial Council===
The Judicial Council is the highest court in the denomination.<ref>United Methodist Church, [https://www.resourceumc.org/en/churchwide/judicial-council/ Judicial Council], accessed 21 March 2023</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.umc.org/who-we-are/about-the-judicial-council|title=About the Judicial Council|author=United Methodist Communications|website=The United Methodist Church|language=en|access-date=2019-12-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190925230741/http://www.umc.org/who-we-are/about-the-judicial-council|archive-date=September 25, 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://archives.umc.org/interior.asp?ptid=1&mid=4217 |title=Rules of Practice and Procedure |publisher=Archives.umc.org |date=November 6, 2006 |access-date=July 25, 2012 |archive-date=July 9, 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120709152256/http://archives.umc.org/interior.asp?ptid=1&mid=4217 |url-status=dead }}</ref> 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 conferences within Methodism|annual conference]], roughly the equivalent of a [[diocese]] in the [[Anglican Communion]] and the [[Roman Catholic Church]] or a [[synod#Lutheran|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 [[wikt:congregation|congregation]], and are appointed to a local church or other charge annually by the conference's resident [[Bishop (United Methodist)|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 (United Methodist Church)|district superintendent]]. The district superintendents are also appointed annually from the [[ordained]] [[Elder (Methodism)|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===
{{main|List of local Methodist 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===
[[File:Interchurch-center.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Interchurch Center]] in New York City, headquarters of the UMW]]
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 (United Methodist Church)|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.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.umc.org/who-we-are/agencies |title=Agencies – United Methodist Church |publisher=The United Methodist Church |access-date=January 8, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160106194516/http://www.umc.org/who-we-are/agencies |archive-date=January 6, 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* [[Discipleship Ministries]] (Nashville, Tennessee)
* [[Wespath Benefits and Investments]] ([[Glenview, Illinois]])
* [[General Board of Church and Society]] ([[Washington, D.C.]])
* General Board of Global Ministries (Atlanta, Georgia) (GBGM)
** [[United Methodist Committee on Relief]] (Atlanta, GA)
* [[General Board of Higher Education and Ministry]] (GBHEM) (Nashville, TN) (GBHEM)
* General Commission on Archives and History ([[Madison, New Jersey]]) (GCAH)
* General Commission on Religion and Race (Washington, DC) (GCORR)
* General Commission on the Status and Role of Women ([[Chicago]]) (GCSRW)
* General Commission on United Methodist Men (Nashville, Tennessee) (GCUMM)
* General Council on Finance and Administration (Nashville, Tennessee) (GCFA)
* United Methodist Communications (Nashville, Tennessee) (UMCom)
* [[United Methodist Publishing House]] (Nashville, Tennessee)
* [[United Methodist Women]] (New York City, New York) (UMW)

=== 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.<ref>{{cite web |last=Rabb |first=Clinton |date=November 1, 2008 |title=Mission Volunteers |url=http://gbgm-umc.org/global_news/full_article.cfm?articleid%3D5204 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090814224030/http://gbgm-umc.org/global_news/full_article.cfm?articleid=5204 |archivedate=August 14, 2009 |accessdate=August 17, 2009 |website=Global Ministries}}</ref> UMVIM coordinates over 400 international development projects.<ref>{{cite web |date=2009 |title=International Projects |url=http://www.umvim.org/newsite/umvim/web-content/Pages/international/internationalprojects.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110125030639/http://www.umvim.org/newsite/umvim/web-content/Pages/international/internationalprojects.html |archive-date=January 25, 2011 |website=United Methodist Volunteers in Mission}}</ref>

==Education==
[[File:Hendrickschapelsu.jpg|thumb|[[Hendricks Chapel]] at [[Syracuse University]], New York. The university maintains a relationship with the UMC.<ref>Since its founding, Syracuse University has maintained a relationship with the United Methodist Church:
*{{cite web|url = http://supolicies.syr.edu/ethics/bylaws.htm|title=Syracuse University Bylaws, Scope: Trustees/University Governance|quote = Three Trustees shall be elected by the Board to represent the North Central New York, Western New York and Wyoming Conferences of the United Methodist Church. The Syracuse University Board of Trustees and the named conferences may recommend persons for election as Trustees in this capacity. The representatives need not reside in the areas they represent.|publisher=Syracuse University|access-date=December 16, 2011|date=May 14, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120130114049/http://supolicies.syr.edu/ethics/bylaws.htm|archive-date=January 30, 2012|url-status=live}}
*{{cite book|title=A Brief Report of Church Relatedness: Syracuse University&nbsp;– INCORPORATION AND THE METHODIST CHURCH|quote=The current bylaws authorize the Board to elect three Organization Trustees: one Trustee each to represent the North Central New York, Western New York, and Wyoming conferences of the United Methodist Church. Both the conferences and the Board may recommend persons for election as Organization Trustees. Today Syracuse University is considered a Methodist-related institution. Syracuse University's affiliation is expressed in the tradition, though not regulation, of having a United Methodist minister serve as dean of Hendricks Chapel and in the University's participation in the annual University Teacher/Scholar Award sponsored by the Methodist Church. In addition, the University administers a number of Methodist-funded scholarships and houses the Bishop Ledden Endowed Professorship in the Department of Religion.|publisher=Syracuse University|date=June 15, 2010}}
*{{cite book|author-first1=William Joseph|author-last1=Whalen|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=sw9ILcqw2hsC&q=salvation+of+separated+brethren&pg=PA162|title=Separated brethren: a review of Protestant, Anglican, Eastern Orthodox & other religions in the United States|quote=Among Protestant denominations, Methodists take first place in hospitals and colleges. Some of their one hundred colleges and universities have all but severed ties with the denominations, but others remain definitely Methodist: Syracuse, Boston, Emory, Duke, Drew, Denver, and Southern Methodist. The church operates three hundred sixty schools and institutions overseas.|publisher=[[Our Sunday Visitor]]|access-date=March 27, 2010|isbn=9781931709057|year=2002}}
*{{cite web |url=http://public.gbhem.org/iamscu/search_results.asp?act=search_gen&search_txt=Syracuse+University&type=schools&submit=GO |title=Syracuse University |publisher=International Association of Methodist Schools, Colleges, and Universities (IAMSCU) |access-date=June 30, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723085909/http://public.gbhem.org/iamscu/search_results.asp?act=search_gen&search_txt=Syracuse+University&type=schools&submit=GO |archive-date=July 23, 2011 |url-status=dead }}
*{{cite web|url=http://archives.umc.org/interior.asp?ptid=2&mid=5585|title=United Methodist schools score high in rankings|publisher=The United Methodist Church|quote=Other United Methodist schools on the top national list are Syracuse (N.Y.) University (tied for 52nd); Boston University (tied for 56th); Southern Methodist University, Dallas (tied for 71st); and American University, Washington (tied for 86th).|date=August 31, 2004|access-date=June 30, 2007|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120701131654/http://archives.umc.org/interior.asp?ptid=2&mid=5585|archive-date=July 1, 2012}}</ref>]]

{{multiple image
 | align = right
 | direction = vertical
 | width = thumb
 | header = 
 | image1 = Africa University Entrance.jpg
 | alt1 = Sign for Africa University at its entrance 
 | class1 = bg-transparent
 | caption1 = 
 | image2 = Africa University - Campus View.jpg
 | alt2 = A view of campus at Africa University 
 | caption2 = [[Africa University]] is a private, [[Pan-African]] university founded by the United Methodist Church. It hosts students from over 31 African nations and has 65 programs, 5 colleges, and 36 buildings. It is in [[Mutare, Zimbabwe|Mutare]], [[Zimbabwe]].<ref>{{Cite web| title=Prospectus 2021-2022 | url=https://africau.edu/audemo/resource/auprospectus.pdf | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240221190612/https://africau.edu/audemo/resource/auprospectus.pdf | archive-date=2024-02-21}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | title=California-Nevada Conference of The UMC {{!}} Africa University: The school of hope in the valley of dreams | url=https://www.cnumc.org/newsdetails/au-18359611 | access-date=2025-09-29 | website=www.cnumc.org}}</ref> Pictured are the sign at the main entrance (above) and a picture of campus (below)
}}

There are two separate pages describing this in more detail: [[United Methodist Church higher education]] and [[International Association of Methodist-related Schools, Colleges, and Universities]].

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]],<ref name="Morrow2015">{{cite web |last1=Morrow |first1=Kevin |title=University Signs on to 'Justice and Dignity' Resolution |url=https://news.syr.edu/blog/2015/03/20/university-signs-on-to-justice-and-dignity-resolution-15154/ |publisher=Syracuse University |access-date=24 January 2022 |language=English |date=20 March 2015|quote=“Syracuse University is proud to endorse this prophetic resolution for it represents the best of who we are and who we strive to be,” Steinwert says. “As a United Methodist-related institution we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive learning environment that nurtures a new generation of leaders ready to engage the world's most difficult challenges. ... While the University has maintained a strong relationship with the United Methodist Church, SU has identified itself as nonsectarian since 1920. While the University identifies itself as nonsectarian, it holds membership in NASCUMC and receives funding from the United Methodist Church.}}</ref> [[Boston University]],<ref name="Boston University - Religious Affiliation">{{cite press release|url=http://www.bu.edu/phpbin/news/releases/display.php?id=381 |title=Boston University Names University Professor Herbert Mason United Methodist Scholar/Teacher of the Year |quote=Boston University has been historically affiliated with the United Methodist Church since 1839 when the Newbury Biblical Institute, the first Methodist seminary in the United States, was established in Newbury, Vermont. |publisher=Boston University |date=28 March 2001|access-date=October 20, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101226230616/https://www.bu.edu/phpbin/news/releases/display.php?id=381 |archive-date=December 26, 2010  }}</ref> [[Emory University]], [[Duke University]],<ref name="Duke University's Relation to the Methodist Church">{{cite web|url=http://library.duke.edu/uarchives/history/duke-umchh-basic.html|title=Duke University's Relation to the Methodist Church: the basics|quote=Duke University has historical, formal, on-going, and symbolic ties with Methodism, but is an independent and non-sectarian institution ... Duke would not be the institution it is today without its ties to the Methodist Church. However, the Methodist Church does not own or direct the University. Duke is and has developed as a private nonprofit corporation which is owned and governed by an autonomous and self-perpetuating Board of Trustees|publisher=Duke University|year=2002|access-date=March 27, 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100612020402/http://library.duke.edu/uarchives/history/duke-umchh-basic.html|archive-date=June 12, 2010}}</ref> [[Drew University]],<ref name="UMCHigherEd">United Methodist Church – General Board of Higher Education and Ministry. [http://www.gbhem.org/education/united-methodist-church-affiliated-institutions United Methodist Church Affiliated Institutions] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131230045147/http://www.gbhem.org/education/united-methodist-church-affiliated-institutions |date=December 30, 2013 }}. Retrieved October 12, 2013.</ref> [[Otterbein University]], [[University of Denver]], [[University of Evansville]], and [[Southern Methodist University]].<ref name="William Joseph Whalen - Hospitals & Universities" /> Most are members of the [[International Association of Methodist-related Schools, Colleges, and Universities]]. The church operates three hundred sixty schools and institutions overseas, notably [[Africa University]] in [[Zimbabwe]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.umnews.org/en/news/delegates-celebrate-success-growth-of-africa-university|author-first1=Eveline|author-last1=Chikwanah|date=30 April 2024|website=UM News|publisher=United Methodist Church|title=Delegates celebrate success, growth of Africa University}}</ref>

There are 13 [[United Methodist seminaries]].<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.gbhem.org/site/c.lsKSL3POLvF/b.3474255/k.64EB/United_Methodist_Theological_Schools.htm|title = United Methodist Theological Schools|publisher = General Board of Higher Education and Ministry of the United Methodist Church|access-date = November 23, 2012|archive-date = November 25, 2012|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121125002723/http://www.gbhem.org/site/c.lsKSL3POLvF/b.3474255/k.64EB/United_Methodist_Theological_Schools.htm|url-status = dead}}</ref> The United Methodist Church among Christian churches has a highly educated membership, with 37% of members holding [[Academic degree|graduate]] or [[post-graduate]] degrees.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pewforum.org/2015/05/12/americas-changing-religious-landscape/ |title=America's Changing Religious Landscape |publisher=[[Pew Research Center]]: Religion & Public Life |date=May 12, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2016/11/04/the-most-and-least-educated-u-s-religious-groups/|title=The most and least educated U.S. religious group|author-last1=Murphy|author-first1=Caryle|publisher=Pew Research Center|date=2016-10-16}}</ref> The church also claims a disproportionate share of [[American upper class|high-income earners]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://economix.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/05/13/faith-education-and-income/|title=Faith, Education and Income|work=The New York Times|access-date=May 13, 2011|first=David|last=Leonhardt|date=2011-05-13}}</ref>

==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 [[bishop]]s as [[Elder (Methodism)|elders]] and [[Deacon#Methodism / Wesleyanism|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.<ref>The United Methodist Book of Discipline, 2008</ref>

===Ordination of women===
{{main|Ordination of women in Methodism}}
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.<ref name="Maud Jensen, 1904-1998" /> This action was based upon its understanding of biblical principles.<ref>{{bibleverse|Gal.|3:28}}</ref><ref name="UMC—Ordination of Women" />  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.<ref name="Women's Service in the Church" /> In 1972, [[Jeanne Audrey Powers]] became the first woman to be nominated for the office of a bishop in The United Methodist Church.

====Early Methodism====
In 1761, John Wesley, the founder of Methodism allowed a woman to preach, [[Sarah Crosby]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.umc.org/en/content/unsung-heroes-of-methodism-sarah-crosby|title=unsung-heroes-of-methodism-sarah-crosby &#124; UMC.org|website=The United Methodist Church}}</ref>In 1771, when Crosby and Mary Bosanquet faced criticism for preaching, [[Mary Fletcher (preacher)|Mary Bosanquet]] wrote a letter to Wesley, which persuaded Wesley to approve women preaching in public, signing letters of endorsement, recognizing the “extraordinary call” some women had.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.umc.org/en/content/unsung-heroes-of-methodism-mary-bosanquet|title=Mary Bosanquet &#124; UMC.org|website=The United Methodist Church}}</ref>

After John Wesley died in 1791, the church went through splits and was less favorable towards women preaching<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.library.manchester.ac.uk/rylands/special-collections/subject-areas/methodist-archives-and-research-collections/using-the-collections/researching-women-in-methodism/the-role-of-women-in-methodism/|title=The role of women within Methodism (The University of Manchester Library)|website=www.library.manchester.ac.uk}}</ref>

====The Methodist Church and its predecessors====
[[Helenor M. Davisson]] was the first woman to be ordained as a Deacon in 1866 in the [[Methodist Protestant Church]], the first woman to be ordained in any Methodist tradition.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.jcinhistory.org/programs/helenor-archives|title=Jasper Co. Historical Society - Helenor Archives|website=www.jcinhistory.org}}</ref>
In the [[Methodist Episcopal Church]], [[Margaret Newton Van Cott]]was the first woman to receive a local preacher’s license in 1869.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://gcah.org/biographies/margaret-newton-van-cott/|title=Margaret Newton Van Cott|date=April 20, 2023}}</ref> In 1875, Pauline Williams Martindale was ordained as an Elder in the Methodist Protestant Church.<ref name="auto1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.umc.org/en/content/timeline-of-women-in-methodism|title=Timeline of Women in Methodism &#124; UMC.org|website=The United Methodist Church}}</ref> In 1880, [[Anna Howard Shaw]] and [[Anna Oliver]] sought ordination from the Methodist Episcopal Church, but were denied, so they transferred to the Methodist Protestant Church where they were ordained. However, the Methodist Protestant Church ruled Anna Howard Shaw’s ordination was out of order in 1884.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thearda.com/us-religion/history/timelines/entry?etype=1&eid=197|title=Entry &#124; Timelines &#124; US Religion|website=The Association of Religion Data Archives (the ARDA)}}</ref> In 1920, the Methodist Episcopal Church granted women the right to be licensed as local preachers and in 1924, limited clergy rights as Elders and Deacons, but not conference members.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://myhopewellchurch.org/women-in-the-methodist-clergy-2/|title=Women in the Methodist Clergy|date=June 13, 2024}}</ref> The [[Methodist Episcopal Church, South]], which split from the Methodist Episcopal Church over slavery, did not accept women’s ordination.<ref name="auto1"/> In 1939, the Methodist Episcopal Church, the Methodist Protestant Church, and the [[Methodist Episcopal Church, South]] merged and formed the Methodist Church, one of the predecessors of the United Methodist Church.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nyac.com/newsdetail/50-years-on-central-jurisdiction-s-shadow-looms-11198292|title=50 years on, Central Jurisdiction’s shadow looms|website=www.nyac.com}}</ref> The [[Methodist Church (United States)|Methodist Church]] granted full clergy rights to women in 1956.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.umc.org/en/content/ask-the-umc-why-does-the-united-methodist-church-ordain-women|title=Why does the UMC ordain women? &#124; UMC.org|website=The United Methodist Church}}</ref>

====The Evangelical United Brethren Church and its predecessors====
One of the predecessors of the United Methodist Church, the [[Evangelical Association|Evangelical Church]] (not to be confused with modern Evangelicalism), discouraged women’s ordination.<ref> https://www.bu.edu/shaw/publications/the-clergy-womens-retention-study/united-methodist-clergywomen-retention-study/#:~:text=The%20United%20Brethren%20Church%20approved%20the%20ordination,opposed%20to%20the%20ordination%20of%20women%2C%20however.</ref> Another predecessor, the [[Church of the United Brethren in Christ (New Constitution)]], granted a preaching license to Charity Opheral in 1849, but later passed a resolution against women preaching in 1857. <ref name="auto1"/> The United Brethren Church began ordaining women in 1889. Ella Niswonger was the first woman ordained in the United Brethren Church.<ref> https://www.umc.org/en/content/ask-the-umc-when-did-the-church-first-ordain-women#:~:text=Mary%20Bosanquet%20Fletcher%20(1739%2D1815,United%20Brethren%20Church%20in%201889.</ref> In 1904, Minnie Jackson Goins became the first African American woman ordained as an elder in the United Brethren Church.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bwcumc.org/news-and-views/old-otterbein-umc-celebrates-250th-anniversary/|title=Baltimore-Washington Conference UMC|website=www.bwcumc.org}}</ref>  However, when the Evangelical Church and the United Brethren Church united in 1946 as the [[Evangelical United Brethren Church]], women were denied ordination.<ref name="auto1"/>

====The United Methodist Church====
In 1968, the Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren Church merged, forming the United Methodist Church.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.umc.org/en/content/methodist-history-the-uniting-conference-of-1968|title=Methodist History: The Uniting Conference of 1968 &#124; UMC.org|website=The United Methodist Church}}</ref> The United Methodist Church has affirmed full clergy rights for women since its creation.<ref> https://www.umnews.org/en/news/amid-tumult-of-1968-a-church-came-together#:~:text=In%20a%20reversal%20of%20what,which%20was%20only%20part%2Dtime.</ref>

Milestones for women’s ordination in the United Methodist Church include but are not limited to<ref name="auto1"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.umc.org/en/content/bishop-malone-becomes-first-black-female-president-of-cob|title=Bishop Malone becomes first Black female President of COB &#124; UMC.org|website=The United Methodist Church}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://otherwisechristian.com/2019/09/12/united-methodist-transgender-timeline/|title=United Methodist Transgender Timeline|first=Mx Chris|last=Paige|date=September 12, 2019}}</ref><ref> http://s3.amazonaws.com/Website_Properties/general-conference/2016/dca/gc2016-daily-christian-advocate-051816-2369-2480.pdf</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wisconsinumc.org/connections/annual-conference/ac-news/2594-ordination-commissioning|title=All Women, First Hmong Ordained; Bishop Cho Delivers Sermon at Ordination and Commissioning Service|first=Amanda|last=Dill|website=www.wisconsinumc.org}}</ref><ref> https://www.unitedmethodistbishops.org/newsdetail/bishop-harvey-makes-history-13984089#:~:text=WASHINGTON%2C%20D.C.%20%2D%20Bishop%20Cynthia%20Fierro,of%20The%20United%20Methodist%20Church.</ref>
*'''1956''' [[Maud Jensen|Maud Keister Jensen]], first to receive full clergy rights
*'''1956''' Emma P. Hill, first African American woman ordained 
*'''1958''' Antonia Wladar, first woman ordained as an Elder in Europe
*'''1961''' Julia Torres Fernandez becomes the first Hispanic woman ordained as an Elder in the Methodist Church
*'''1971''' Cornelia Mauyao becomes the first woman ordained as an elder in the Philippines 
*'''1976''' Rev. Tomila Louise transitions to female and her ordination papers are changed to reflect her new name shortly before retiring 
*'''1979''' Mutombo Illunga Kimba (of Congo) becomes the first African woman ordained as an elder
*'''1980''' [[Marjorie Matthews]] becomes the first woman elected Bishop in the United Methodist Church 
*'''1982''' Mamie Ming Yan Ko and Mochie Lam become the first Chinese American women ordained as elders in the UMC
*'''1983''' Colleen Kyung Seen Chun becomes the first Korean American woman ordained as an elder
*'''1984''' [[Leontine T. Kelly|Leontine T.C. Kelly]] becomes the first African American woman elected Bishop
*'''1989''' Lois V. Glory-Neal ([[Cherokee Nation]]) becomes the first Native American woman ordained as an Elder.
*'''1992''' Ana Moala Tiueti becomes the first native Tongan woman to be ordained as an Elder in the US and world
*'''2002''' Bishop Sharon Brown Christopher becomes the first woman to serve as the President of the Council of Bishops 
*'''2003''' Linita Uluave Moa becomes the first Tongan woman ordained as an Elder
*'''2004''' [[Minerva G. Carcaño]] is elected the first Latina Bishop
*'''2005''' [[Rosemarie Wenner|Rosemarie J. Wenner]] is elected the first European woman Bishop
*'''2008''' Joaquina Filipe Nhanala is the first African woman elected Bishop
*'''2016''' Mao Her becomes the first [[Hmong people|Hmong]] woman ordained as an Elder in the UMC (later switched to the GMC)
*'''2016''' [[Karen Oliveto]] is elected the first Lesbian Bishop in the United Methodist Church 
*'''2020''' Bishop [[Cynthia Fierro-Harvey]] becomes President of the Council of Bishops, the first Latina in the position 
*'''2024''' Bishop [[Tracy Smith Malone]] becomes President of the Council of Bishops, the first Black woman in the position

===Bishop===
{{further|Bishop (United Methodist)}}
All [[clergy]] appointments are made and fixed annually by the resident [[Bishop (United Methodist)|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 Superintendent (United Methodist Church)|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, [[College religious organizations|campus ministry]], [[Mission (Christian)|missions]], higher education and other ministries beyond the local church are often even longer.

===Elder===
{{Further|Elder (United Methodist)}}
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 two–three 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 in the United Methodist Church are individuals who are affirmed by the church and appointed by a bishop to serve in a ministry of Word, Sacrament, Order, and Service within the church. The official title for these individuals is "licensed local pastor."<ref>The United Methodist Book of Discipline, 2008, ¶¶ 602, 315.</ref> Although they are not ordained, they are granted the authority to preach the Word of God, administer the sacraments, provide pastoral care and counseling, and lead the congregation in its ministry and mission.

A bishop may appoint a licensed local pastor to serve a church when an ordained elder is unavailable, either because of a shortage of clergy or due to the financial hardship of a pastoral charge. Local pastors often serve in bi-vocational roles, fulfilling their ministerial calling both within the church and in their secular employment.

Licensed local pastors, whether appointed full-time or part-time, are considered clergy. They hold membership in the annual conference rather than in the local church. Their authority to serve as pastors is limited to the specific church to which they are appointed and is valid only for the duration of that appointment. This authority does not extend beyond the assigned context or continue after the appointment ends.<ref name="UMC-Local Pastor" /> In their appointed church, they preach, conduct worship, and carry out the regular responsibilities of a pastor, but only under certain conditions and times agreed upon. While they are not required to hold advanced theological degrees, they must complete a licensing school and continue their education. This may be accomplished by completing an approved Course of Study at a United Methodist seminary or Course of Study school, or by enrolling in a Master of Divinity program at an approved United Methodist seminary.

Licensed local pastors who wish to continue toward associate membership in the annual conference must successfully complete written and oral examinations, appear before the District Committee on Ministry and the Conference Board of Ordained Ministry, and meet certain age and service requirements as defined by their conference. They may also pursue ordination if they complete a bachelor's degree and fulfill additional requirements set by their Conference Board of Ordained Ministry. These typically include completing an advanced Course of Study or the required seminary coursework at an approved institution.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}}

When a licensed local pastor retires or is no longer appointed to a local church, they return to lay membership in a charge conference.

==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 [[infant baptism|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 (religious)|profession of faith]]. Individuals who were not previously baptized are [[Believer's baptism|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.<ref>The United Methodist Book of Discipline, 2004 para. 225.</ref>

Unlike [[confirmation]] and [[Profession (religious)|profession of faith]], [[Baptism]] is a sacrament in the UMC. The ''[[Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church]]'' directs the [[Church (congregation)|local church]] to offer membership preparation or confirmation classes to all people, including adults.<ref>The United Methodist Book of Discipline, 2004 para. 216a&b.</ref> 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.<ref>The United Methodist Book of Discipline, 2004, para. 252k.</ref>

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 (Methodism)|elder]], Local Pastor, Associate Member or [[deacon]] is unavailable.<ref name="UMC LSM- Lay Speaking Ministries and The Book of Discipline" /><ref name="UMC GBOD-lay speaking history" /> There are two categories of lay servants: ''local church lay servant'',<ref name="UMC GBOD-lay speaker" /> 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.<ref name="UMC GBOD-lay speaker" /> 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.<ref name="UMC GBOD-lay speaker" /> 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.<ref name="UMC GBOD-lay speaker" />

===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.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gbod.org/leadership-resources/certified-lay-minister |title=Certified Lay Minister |publisher=The United Methodist Church GBOD |access-date=October 6, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141010080738/http://www.gbod.org/leadership-resources/certified-lay-minister |archive-date=October 10, 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===Deaconesses and Home Missioners===

Deaconesses and Home Missioners are an order of laity “called by God to a lifetime relationship in The United Methodist Church for engagement with a full-time vocation in ministries of love, justice and service.” Deaconesses and Home Missioners form a “covenant community that is rooted in Scripture, informed by history, driven by mission, ecumenical in scope and global in outreach.” The Book of Discipline says that Deaconesses and Home Missioners strive to “alleviate suffering; eradicate causes of injustice and all that robs life of dignity and worth; facilitate the development of full human potential; and share in building global community through the church universal.” In the United Methodist Church, Deaconesses are not female Deacons but are a separate order from Deacons (both of which are inclusive of all genders) (Deacons are also a clergy order). Deaconesses and Home Missioners are the same order but Home Missioner is a non-gendered title sometimes taken by men  and others in the office. Deaconesses and Home Missioners are laity and many professions and occupations are represented in the Order.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.resourceumc.org/en/content/ministries-of-love-justice-and-service|title=Ministries of love, justice and service|website=ResourceUMC}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://uwfaith.org/what-we-do/deaconess-and-home-missioner/|title=Office of Deaconess & Home Missioner|website=United Women in Faith}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://dotac.diakonia-world.org/member-communities/united-methodist-office-of-deaconess-and-home-missioner/|title=United Methodist Office of Deaconess and Home Missioner – DOTAC}}</ref>

==Ecumenical relations==
Methodism is one tradition within the Christian Church.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.worldmethodistcouncil.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=22&Itemid=9 |title="Wesleyan Essentials of Christian Faith" August 18, 2009 |access-date=August 18, 2009 |archive-date=February 15, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090215011955/http://worldmethodistcouncil.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=22&Itemid=9 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The United Methodist Church is active in [[Christian ecumenism|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]].<ref name="Thomas C. Oden—NAE" /> However, there are some{{who|date=January 2020}} 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."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://catalystresources.org/issues/303balmer.html |publisher=Catalyst Online: Contemporary Evangelical Perspectives for United Methodist Seminarians |year=1998 |title=The Future of American Protestantism |access-date=November 11, 2012 |author-first1=Randall |author-last1=Balmer |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120415002847/http://catalystresources.org/issues/303balmer.html |archive-date=April 15, 2012 |author-link=Randall Balmer }}</ref>

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.<ref name="ELCA—UMC" /> At the 2008 General Conference, the United Methodist Church approved full communion with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.<ref name="ENI- Methodists Approve Full Communion with ELCA" /> The ELCA approved this document on August 20, 2009, at its annual churchwide assembly.<ref name="Actions: 2009 ELCA Churchwide Assembly • Aug 17–23, 2009 • Minneapolis, Minn."/><ref name="ELCA Assembly Adopts Full Communion with the United Methodist Church" /><ref name="UMC- Vote for Full Communion" />

The United Methodist Church has since 1985 been exploring a possible [[church union|merger]] with three [[Black church|historically African-American]] Methodist [[Christian denominations|denominations]]: the [[African Methodist Episcopal Church]], the [[African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church]], and the [[Christian Methodist Episcopal Church]].<ref name="UMC-Quick Facts" /> A ''Commission on Pan Methodist Cooperation and Union'' formed in 2000 to carry out work on such a merger.<ref name="Commission on Pan-Methodist Cooperation & Union" /> 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."<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.christianitytoday.com/gleanings/2012/may/methodists-reach-across-historic-racial-boundaries-with.html |title=Methodists Reach Across Historic Racial Boundaries with Communion Pact|last=Banks|first=Adelle M.|date=May 7, 2012|magazine=[[Christianity Today]]|access-date=November 11, 2012}} (access url updated June 16, 2016)</ref>

There are also a number of churches such as the [[Evangelical Methodist Church in Argentina]], [[Evangelical Church of Uruguay in Uruguay|Evangelical Church of Uruguay]], and [[Methodist Church in India]] (MCI), that are "autonomous affiliated" churches in relation to the United Methodist Church.<ref name="UMC GBGM- MCI" /><ref name="UMC—MCI" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.umc.org/directory/affiliated-churches-south-america|title=Affiliated Churches: South America – The United Methodist Church|last=Communications|first=United Methodist|website=The United Methodist Church|access-date=May 26, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160528150121/http://www.umc.org/directory/affiliated-churches-south-america|archive-date=May 28, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>

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 connection.<ref name="Wesleyan Holiness Consortium - Members" /><ref name="Melton2005">{{cite book |last1=Melton |first1=J. Gordon |title=Encyclopedia of Protestantism |date=2005 |publisher=Infobase Publishing |isbn=978-0-8160-6983-5 |page=145 |language=English}}</ref> It is also active in the [[World Methodist Council]], an interdenominational group composed of various churches in the tradition of [[John Wesley]] to [[evangelism|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 [[Holy See|Vatican]] and the [[Lutheran World Federation]].<ref name="UMC—World Methodists approve further ecumenical dialogue" /><ref name="Catholic News Service (CNS)" />
===Full Communion===
The United Methodist Church is in [[full communion]] with the [[Evangelical Lutheran Church in America]]; the [[Moravian Church in North America]] (Northern and Southern Provinces); 
Pan-Methodist Churches which include The [[African Methodist Episcopal Church]],	The	[[African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church]], The [[African Union Methodist Protestant Church]], The [[Christian Methodist Episcopal Church]], The [[Union American Methodist Episcopal Church]]; and the [[Uniting Church in Sweden]].<ref name="UMC_Full_Communion">{{cite web |title=Full Communion Relationships |url=https://www.unitedmethodistbishops.org/full-communion-relationships |website=Council of Bishops of the United Methodist Church |access-date=7 March 2025}}</ref> The United Methodist Church also has a large number of churches in partnerships in "formal, ecumenical relationships approved by the General Conference"<ref name="UMC_Partnerships_Introduction">{{cite web |title=List of UMC partnerships |url=https://www.unitedmethodistbishops.org/ecumenicaldetail/list-of-umc-partnerships-12822590 |website=Council of Bishops of the United Methodist Church |access-date=7 March 2025}}</ref> which are categorized as [[Concordat]] Churches, Affiliated Autonomous Churches, Affiliated United Churches, and Known Ecumenical Partner Churches Specific to European Central Conferences.<ref name="UMC_Partnerships">{{cite web |title=Ecumenical Partnerships and Organizations |url=https://www.unitedmethodistbishops.org/ecumenical-partnerships-and-organizations |website=Council of Bishops of the United Methodist Church |access-date=7 March 2025}}</ref> While not using the exact wording, these relationships are closely akin to full communion, and include the [[Methodist Church of Great Britain]] and the [[United Church of Canada]].
 
The United Methodist Church approved [[full communion]] with the [[Episcopal Church (United States)|Episcopal Church]] at its Annual Conference on April 30, 2024. The agreement is awaiting approval by the [[Episcopal Church (United States)|Episcopal Church]], which is not expected until 2027.<ref name="UMC_Episcopal_Church">{{cite web |title=Full communion between Methodists, Episcopalians gets closer|first1=Jim|last1=Patterson|url=https://episcopalnewsservice.org/2024/05/01/full-communion-between-methodists-episcopalians-gets-closer/ |website=Episcopal News Service |date=May 2024 |access-date=7 March 2025}}</ref> Both churches are already in full communion with the [[Evangelical Lutheran Church in America]] and the [[Moravian Church in North America]] (Northern and Southern Provinces).<ref name="Methodist_Approve_Full_Communion">{{cite web |title=Methodists Approve Full Communion |url=https://livingchurch.org/news/news-episcopal-church/methodists-approve-full-communion-with-episcopal-church/ |website=The Living Church |date=May 2024 |access-date=7 March 2025|author-first1=Douglas|author-last1=LeBlanc|author-first2=Mark|author-last2=Michael}}</ref>

==Membership trends==
{{update|date=April 2025}}
[[File:Kent UMC chapel.jpg|thumb|right|A United Methodist chapel in [[Kent, Ohio]], near the main campus of [[Kent State University]]]]
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.<ref name="Yearbook" /> In 1975, membership dropped below 10 million for the first time.<ref name="Yearbook"/> In 2005, there were about 8 million members in over 34,000 congregations.<ref name="Yearbook"/> Membership is concentrated primarily in the Midwest and in the South. Texas has the largest number of members, with about 1 million.<ref name="RCMS" /> The states with the highest membership rates are Oklahoma, Iowa, Mississippi, West Virginia, and North Carolina.<ref name="RCMS"/>

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 Europeans making up another 10 percent.<ref name="Tooley Touchstone" />  During the conference, the delegates voted to finalize the induction of the Methodist Church of the [[Ivory Coast]] and its 700,000 members into the denomination.<ref name="Tooley Touchstone"/> Given current trends in the UMC—with overseas churches growing, especially in Africa, and US churches collectively losing about 1,000 members a week<ref name="Tooley Spectator" />—it was estimated that Africans would make up at least 30 percent of the delegates at the 2012 General Conference,<ref name="Tooley Touchstone"/> and was also possible that 40 percent of the delegates will be from outside the US.<ref name="Tooley Spectator"/> One [[Democratic Republic of the Congo|Congolese]] bishop has estimated that typical Sunday attendance of the UMC is higher in his country than in the entire United States.<ref name="Tooley Spectator"/>

In 2018, outside of the United States, it had 6,464,127 members and 12,866 churches.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=United Methodist Church |url= https://www.umc.org/en/content/united-methodists-at-a-glance|title=United Methodists Around the World|website=umc.org|location=US |access-date=November 5, 2022|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221121222009/https://www.umc.org/en/content/united-methodists-at-a-glance|archive-date=November 21, 2022}}</ref>

In 2020, it had 6,268,310 members and 30,543 churches in the United States.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.umdata.org/UMFactsHome.aspx|title=2020 annual conference membership and attendance (US)|publisher=General Council on Finance and Administration – The United Methodist Church|access-date=January 1, 2022|archive-date=November 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125135824/http://www.umdata.org/UMFactsHome.aspx|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In 2024, the number decreased to 3,988,810 professing members (members who are baptized and have made a profession of faith), 2257,502 baptized members (non-professing), and 794,307 constituent members (members who are not baptized) in the United States,<ref>{{Cite web |title=UMData {{!}} Statistics |url=https://www.umdata.org/statistics |access-date=2025-10-24 |website=www.umdata.org}}</ref> as divisions grew over church policy regarding homosexuality and the Global Methodist Church was formed in the prior year.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vox.com/24155873/methodist-church-lgbtq-rights-schism-vote-america|website=Vox|title=What the Methodist split tells us about America|author-first1=Laura|author-last1=Bullard|date=14 May 2024|access-date=26 April 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250421065118/https://www.vox.com/24155873/methodist-church-lgbtq-rights-schism-vote-america|archive-date=21 April 2025|url-status=live}}</ref> The drop to 4.2million members in 2023 represented a loss of approximately 1.2 million members, or about 22% of the previous years' total - the biggest loss that any denomination has ever lost in a single year in American religious history.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=Tooley |first=Mark |date=2024-11-25 |title=United Methodist Collapse? |url=https://juicyecumenism.com/2024/11/25/united-methodist-collapse/ |access-date=2025-10-19 |website=Juicy Ecumenism |language=en-US}}</ref> Much of this decrease (but not all) was because of exiting congregation, wishing to leave the UMC with their property. In 2023, 5,595 UMC congregations chose to disaffiliate.<ref name=":4" /> In total, from 2019 to 2023, approximately 25% of the American UMC churches disaffiliated, 7,673 in total.<ref name=":4" />

==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.<ref name = Discipline />

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.{{r|Discipline}}

==See also==
{{Portal|Christianity}}
* [[List of the largest Protestant denominations|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]]

==References==
{{Reflist|2|refs=
<ref name="Actions: 2009 ELCA Churchwide Assembly • Aug 17–23, 2009 • Minneapolis, Minn.">{{cite web |url = http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Office-of-the-Secretary/ELCA-Governance/Churchwide-Assembly/Actions.aspx| title = Actions: 2009 ELCA Churchwide Assembly • Aug. 17–23, 2009 • Minneapolis, Minn.|publisher = The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America|access-date =August 23, 2009}}</ref>
<ref name="Alcohol—Lent1">{{cite news |url = http://www.christianpost.com/news/lent-united-methodist-church-calls-for-alcohol-free-season-70074/| title = Lent: United Methodist Church Calls for 'Alcohol Free' Season|quote=The United Methodist Church's Board of Church and Society has asked its members to participate in an "Alcohol Free Lent," which means that Methodists who choose to participate would give up the habit of drinking alcohol for the season.|newspaper = [[The Christian Post]]|access-date =March 17, 2012}}</ref>
<ref name="Alcohol—Lent2">{{cite web |url = http://www.christianpost.com/news/lent-united-methodist-church-calls-for-alcohol-free-season-70074/| title = Alcohol Free Lent| date = February 22, 2012|publisher = [[General Board of Church and Society]]|quote=During Lent, United Methodists have been called to be Alcohol Free. This is a prime opportunity to discuss and learn how effective regulation can curtail alcohol problems.|access-date =March 17, 2012}}</ref>
<ref name="Alcohol—Lent3">{{cite news |url = http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/03/21/methodists-shun-the-bottl_n_838709.html| title = Methodists Shun The Bottle During Alcohol-Free Lent|work = The Huffington Post|quote=Now, the denomination's General Board of Church and Society is following Howell's lead and is pushing a churchwide Alcohol Free Lent campaign.|access-date =March 17, 2012|first=Josh|last=Fleet|date=March 21, 2011}}</ref>
<ref name="Andy Langford - Healing Service">{{cite book |url = https://books.google.com/books?cd=7&q=healing+service+methodist&btnG=Search+Books|quote= The United Methodist Book of Worship includes the following services and prayers: A Service of Healing IA, Service of Healing II, A Service of Hope After Loss...|title= American Methodist worship |publisher=[[Abingdon Press]]|access-date = December 31, 2007}}</ref>

<ref name="ARE—Methodists">{{cite web |url = http://are.as.wvu.edu/christv.htm|title = Methodists|publisher = The American Religious Experience (West Virginia University)|access-date = December 24, 2007 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071230013814/http://are.as.wvu.edu/christv.htm |archive-date = December 30, 2007}}</ref>
<!-- <ref name="BBC—Methodist Church">{{cite web |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/subdivisions/methodist_1.shtml#h5|title = The Methodist Church: Alcohol and gambling |publisher = British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)|access-date =July 7, 2007}}</ref> -->

<ref name="Catholic News Service (CNS)">{{cite web |url = http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/0604186.htm|title = Methodists adopt Catholic-Lutheran declaration on justification|publisher = Catholic News Service (CNS)|access-date = June 8, 2007 |url-status = dead |archive-url = http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20060725190303/http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/0604186.htm |archive-date = July 25, 2006|first1=Cindy|last1=Wooden|date=24 July 2006}}</ref>
<ref name="Chancel">{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/unitedmethodista0000hick|year=1984|title=United Methodist altars: a guide for the local church|author-first1=Hoyt Leon |author-last1=Hickman|quote=The pulpit is on one side of the chancel, and a lectern or baptismal font is usually on the other side.|publisher=[[Abingdon Press]]|location=Nashville, Tennessee|isbn=0687429854|url-access=registration}}</ref>
<ref name="ChristianFlag">{{cite magazine |url=http://www.umc.org/site/apps/nlnet/content.aspx?c=lwL4KnN1LtH&b=4776577&ct=8491195&notoc=1|author-first1=Carrie |author-last1=Madren|quote=He believes it is inappropriate to display the U.S. flag alone in worship services. "If a national flag is used in worship, I believe it should be used in tandem with the Christian flag. And the Christian flag, not the national flag, should be placed on the right hand of the speaker in the place of highest honor."|title=Should Star-Spangled Banner be in church?|magazine=Interpreter|via=The United Methodist Church|access-date=August 6, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120602191651/http://www.umc.org/site/apps/nlnet/content.aspx?c=lwL4KnN1LtH&b=4776577&ct=8491195&notoc=1 |archive-date=June 2, 2012 |url-status=dead|year=2010}}</ref>
<ref name="Colorado State University—Creedal Church">{{cite web |url = http://lamar.colostate.edu/~grjan/methodist_creedal_church.html|title = Is the United Methodist Church a Creedal Church?|first1=G. Richard|last1=Jansen|publisher = Colorado State University|access-date = June 24, 2007 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071020044858/http://lamar.colostate.edu/~grjan/methodist_creedal_church.html |archive-date = October 20, 2007}}</ref>
<ref name="Commission on Pan-Methodist Cooperation & Union">{{cite web |url = http://www.panmethodist.org/panmeth/mission.htm|title = Mission|publisher = Commission on Pan-Methodist Cooperation & Union|access-date = August 1, 2007 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070928135215/http://www.panmethodist.org/panmeth/mission.htm |archive-date = September 28, 2007}}</ref>
<ref name="CUMC Accepting Christ">{{cite web |url = http://www.cambridgechristumc.com/statementofbelief.htm|title = Statement of Belief|publisher = Cambridge Christ United Methodist Church|access-date = August 2, 2007 |url-status = usurped |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070928101604/http://www.cambridgechristumc.com/statementofbelief.htm |archive-date = September 28, 2007}}</ref>
<ref name = Discipline>{{cite book|title=The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church|year=2008|isbn=978-0-687-64785-9|publisher=The United Methodist Publishing House|location=Nashville, Tennessee}}</ref>
<ref name="Discipline page 43">2008 ''Book of Discipline'', paragraph 101, page 43.</ref>
<ref name="Drew University—Temperance">{{cite web |url = http://oldwww.drew.edu/books/200Years/part2/033.htm|title = 200 Years of United Methodism: An Illustrated History|publisher = Drew University|access-date = July 7, 2007 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071224181144/http://oldwww.drew.edu/books/200Years/part2/033.htm |archive-date = December 24, 2007 |url-status = dead}}</ref>
<ref name="ELCA Assembly Adopts Full Communion with the United Methodist Church">{{cite web |url = http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Communication-Services/News/Releases.aspx?a=4242| title = ELCA Assembly Adopts Full Communion with the United Methodist Church|publisher = The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America|access-date =August 23, 2009}}</ref>
<ref name="ELCA—UMC">{{cite web |url = http://www.elca.org/ecumenical/ecumenicaldialogue/unitedmethodist/index.html|title = Lutheran—United Methodist Dialogue|publisher = Evangelical Lutheran Church in America|access-date = June 8, 2007 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070612204147/http://www.elca.org/ecumenical/ecumenicaldialogue/unitedmethodist/index.html |archive-date = June 12, 2007}}</ref>
<ref name="ENI- Methodists Approve Full Communion with ELCA">{{cite web|url = http://www.eni.ch/featured/article.php?id=1867|title = Methodists yes to full communion with Lutherans; no on gay change|publisher = Ecumenical News International|access-date = May 16, 2007|archive-date = January 9, 2009|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090109084955/http://www.eni.ch/featured/article.php?id=1867|url-status = dead}}</ref>
<ref name="EPPC">{{cite web |url = http://www.eppc.org/publications/pubID.1943/pub_detail.asp|title = Understanding American Evangelicals|publisher = Ethics and Public Policy Center|access-date = August 2, 2007 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070814020704/http://www.eppc.org/publications/pubID.1943/pub_detail.asp |first1=Mark A.|last1=Noll|archive-date = August 14, 2007}}</ref>
<!-- not used in article
<ref name="Evangelical">{{cite web |url = http://www.umc.org/site/apps/ka/ct/contactcustom.asp?c=lwL4KnN1LtH&b=2068577#| title = Is the concept "saved, born-again" unique to evangelicals?|publisher = The United Methodist Church|access-date =March 25, 2007}}</ref>-->
<ref name="Flag">{{cite book |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=IIDZAAAAMAAJ&q=united+methodist+sanctuary+christian+flag|editor-first1=William Benjamin |editor-last1=Lawrence |editor-first2=Dennis M. |editor-last2=Campbell |editor-first3=Russell E. |editor-last3=Richey |quote= The processional cross is placed to the far left, next to the Christian flag.|title=The People(s)called Methodist: forms and reforms of their life|year=1998 |publisher=[[Abingdon Press]]|isbn=9780687021994 |access-date =August 6, 2011}}</ref>
<ref name="GLFUMC—Sunday Services">{{cite web |url = http://www.gbgm-umc.org/glfumc/worship.html|title = The Sacraments|publisher = Grand Ledge First United Methodist Church|access-date = August 15, 2007 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070913222026/http://www.gbgm-umc.org/glfumc/worship.html |archive-date = September 13, 2007 |url-status = dead}}</ref>
<ref name="Greensboro College—Methodists">{{cite web |url = http://www.gborocollege.edu/prescorner/christmas.html|title = Origins: Christmas Conference|publisher = Greensboro College|access-date = December 24, 2007 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080706145119/http://www.gborocollege.edu/prescorner/christmas.html |archive-date = July 6, 2008 |url-status = dead|author-first1=Craven E. |author-last1=Williams}}</ref>
<ref name="IMARC-Quote Two">{{cite web |url = http://www.imarc.cc/buletins/methodistq.html| title = Quotes by various Methodist Bishops and Leaders of the Past|publisher = The Independent Methodist Arminian Resource Center|access-date =August 2, 2007}}</ref>
<ref name="John McClintock, James Strong">{{cite book |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=NBAMAAAAIAAJ&q=alexandria+wesley+ordination&pg=PA170|page=170|title=Cyclopædia of Biblical, theological, and ecclesiastical literature|volume=6|quote= Wesley had believed that bishops and presbyters constituted but one order, with the same right to ordain.|last1=McClintock|first1=John|year=1894}}</ref>
<ref name="Karen B. Westerfield Tucker - Anointing and Laying">{{cite book |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=I1TDD5-CLlEC&q=healing+service+methodist&pg=PA237|quote= The intentional return to the early Christian praxis also resulted in the first official Methodist instruction to lay hands on the sick and anoint them with oil, though some pastors throughout the Methodist family had, even in the nineteenth century, already made use of the scriptural custom found in the Gospels and in James 5:14–15, and the practice of laying on of hands had been commended in literature accompanying the 1965 ''Book of Worship''.|title= American Methodist worship |date= March 8, 2001|publisher=[[Oxford University Press]]|isbn= 9780198029267|access-date = December 31, 2007|author-first1=Karen B. Westerfield|author-last1=Tucker}}</ref>
<ref name="Karen B. Westerfield Tucker - Healing Service">{{cite book |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=I1TDD5-CLlEC&q=healing+service+methodist&pg=PA237|author-first1=Karen B. Westerfield|author-last1=Tucker|quote= The authorization of healing services by the United Methodist Church in 1992 for its ''Book of Worship'' thus appeared to perpetuate the tendency to accentuate the restorative and consolatory over the confrontative.|title= American Methodist worship |date= March 8, 2001|publisher=[[Oxford University Press]]|isbn= 9780198029267|access-date = December 31, 2007}}</ref>
<ref name="Longhenry-Wesleyanism">{{cite web |url = http://www.deusvitae.com/faith/denominations/wesleyanism.html|title = Wesleyanism|publisher = Longhenry|access-date = May 26, 2009 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090725124513/http://www.deusvitae.com/faith/denominations/wesleyanism.html |archive-date = July 25, 2009}}</ref>
<ref name="Maud Jensen, 1904-1998">{{cite web |url=http://www.gcah.org/site/apps/nlnet/content3.aspx?c=ghKJI0PHIoE&b=3637671&ct=4506093|title=Maud Jensen, 1904–1998|access-date=August 15, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120325042219/http://www.gcah.org/site/apps/nlnet/content3.aspx?c=ghKJI0PHIoE&b=3637671&ct=4506093 |archive-date=March 25, 2012}}</ref>
<!-- <ref name="Membership Growth">{{cite news |url = http://www.umc.org/site/apps/nlnet/content3.aspx?c=lwL4KnN1LtH&b=2789393&ct=9135453|title = Church membership tops 12 million|access-date = October 26, 2012 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130501011752/http://www.umc.org/site/apps/nlnet/content3.aspx?c=lwL4KnN1LtH&b=2789393&ct=9135453 |archive-date = May 1, 2013 |url-status = dead}}</ref> -->
<ref name="Methodist Central Hall Westminster—Methodism">{{cite web |url = http://www.methodist-central-hall.org.uk/history/WhatisMethodism.htm|title = About The Methodist Church|publisher = Methodist Central Hall Westminster |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070121041402/http://www.methodist-central-hall.org.uk/history/WhatisMethodism.htm |archive-date = January 21, 2007 |url-status = dead}}</ref>
<ref name="New York Times">{{cite news |url = https://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/03/national/03trial.html?ex=1259730000&en=2bf3ceb5ddafc10e&ei=5090&partner=rssuserland| title = United Methodists Move to Defrock Lesbian|newspaper = New York Times|access-date =July 12, 2007 | first=Neela | last=Banerjee | date=December 3, 2004}}</ref>
<ref name="Oremus Bible Browser—Institution of the Lord's Supper">{{cite web |url = http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=51484279| title = Luke 22:14–23 (The Institution of the Lord's Supper) |publisher = National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America|access-date =August 15, 2007}}</ref>

<ref name="Ranger">{{cite book |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=yi8ZQICcku8C&q=exorcism+united+methodist+church&pg=PA6|title= Evangelical Christianity and Democracy in Africa |editor-last1=Ranger|editor-first1=Terence O. |date= April 22, 2008 |publisher = Oxford University Press|isbn= 9780199721238 |access-date = November 21, 2012|quote=Indeed, anyone who has participated in the revivals and prayer-meetings and consultations and exorcisms of the United Methodist churches in Zimbabwe and Mozambique, which are addressed in the chapters by Mukonyora and Cruz e Silva, will know how very evangelical they are.}}</ref>
<ref name="RCMS">{{cite web|url = http://www.thearda.com/Denoms/D_1469_d.asp|title = 2000 Religious Congregations and Membership Study|publisher = Glenmary Research Center|access-date = December 8, 2009|archive-date = April 11, 2010|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100411114126/http://www.thearda.com/Denoms/D_1469_d.asp|url-status = dead}}</ref>
<ref name="Religious Tolerance—Homosexuality UMC">{{cite web |url = http://www.religioustolerance.org/hom_umc10.htm |title = United Methodist Church (UMC): The trial of Irene Elizabeth Stroud |publisher = Religious Tolerance |access-date = June 24, 2007 |archive-date = June 8, 2007 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070608214209/http://www.religioustolerance.org/hom_umc10.htm |url-status = usurped }}</ref>
<ref name="Robert Famighetti - Exorcism">{{cite book |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=vQwwAAAAMAAJ&q=United+Methodist+Book+of+Worship+exorcism|quote= Conference and superintendent system; in United Methodist Church, general superintendents ... healing and sometimes exorcism; adult baptism; Lord's Supper|publisher = World Almanac Books |title=World Almanac & Book of Facts|year= 1995|isbn= 9780886877804|access-date = December 31, 2007}}</ref>
<ref name="Robert Leroy Wilson, Steve Harper">{{cite book |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=hiiMZKHiSocC&q=polity+united+methodist+church| title = Faith and form: a unity of theology & polity in the United Methodist tradition | date = March 1988 |quote=Thus the superintendency has been a key part of the Methodist connectional system.|publisher = [[Zondervan]]|first1=Robert L.|last1=Wilson|first2=Steve|last2=Harper|isbn = 9780310515210 |access-date =March 27, 2010}}</ref>
<ref name="Saints">{{cite magazine|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070513023252/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,945463-2,00.html|title=Saints Among Us|magazine=Time|date=December 29, 1975|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,945463-2,00.html|archive-date=13 May 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref>
<ref name="The Means of Grace by John Wesley">{{cite web |url = http://gbgm-umc.org/umw/wesley/serm-016.stm|title = The Means of Grace by John Wesley|publisher = The United Methodist Church GBOD|access-date = June 8, 2007 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070430190928/http://gbgm-umc.org/umw/wesley/serm-016.stm |archive-date = April 30, 2007 |url-status = dead}}</ref>
<ref name="This Holy Mystery">{{cite web |url = http://gatewayumc.org/pdf/hcfinal2.pdf|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230326031712/http://gatewayumc.org/pdf/hcfinal2.pdf|url-status = dead|archive-date = March 26, 2023|title = This Holy Mystery|publisher = The United Methodist Church GBOD|access-date = June 8, 2007|quote = Jesus Christ, who "is the reflection of God's glory and the exact imprint of God's very being" (Hebrews 1:3), is truly present in Holy Communion. Through Jesus Christ and in the power of the Holy Spirit, God meets believers at the Table. God, who has given the sacraments to the church, acts in and through Holy Communion. Christ is present through the community gathered in Jesus' name (Matthew 18:20), through the Word proclaimed and enacted, and through the elements of bread and wine shared (1 Corinthians 10:16). The divine presence is a living reality and can be experienced by participants; it is not a remembrance of the Last Supper and the Crucifixion only.}}</ref>
<ref name="Thomas C. Oden">{{cite book |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=pB6BrgQRjbQC&q=Taskforce+of+United+Methodists+on+Abortion+and+Sexuality&pg=PA143| title = The rebirth of orthodoxy: signs of new life in Christianity| year = 2003|publisher = [[HarperCollins]]| isbn = 9780060097851|access-date =January 4, 2009|quote=Here are other evidences of active renewal and confessing movements within United Methodism: The Taskforce of United Methodists on Abortion and Sexuality is the prolife witness among the Methodists. They publish Lifewatch.}}</ref>
<ref name="Thomas C. Oden—NAE">{{cite book |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=pB6BrgQRjbQC&q=Taskforce+of+United+Methodists+on+Abortion+and+Sexuality&pg=PA143| title = The rebirth of orthodoxy: signs of new life in Christianity| year = 2003|quote=For the first time, the United Methodist Church voted to seek observer status in the National Association of Evangelicals and the World Evangelical Fellowship.|publisher = [[HarperCollins]]| isbn = 9780060097851|access-date =June 8, 2007}}</ref>
<ref name="Tooley Spectator">{{cite magazine |url=http://spectator.org/archives/2010/05/21/resenting-african-christianity |title=Resenting African Christianity |first=Mark |last=Tooley |magazine=[[The American Spectator]] |date=May 21, 2010 |access-date=December 22, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101128144602/http://spectator.org/archives/2010/05/21/resenting-african-christianity |archive-date=November 28, 2010 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
<ref name="Tooley Touchstone">{{cite magazine |url=http://touchstonemag.com/archives/article.php?id=21-09-043-r |title=African Power |first=Mark |last=Tooley |magazine=[[Touchstone Magazine|Touchstone]] |date=November 2008 |access-date=December 22, 2010}}</ref>
<ref name="typicaOrderOfWorship">{{cite web |url = http://www.umcsc.org/PDF/WorshipNutsandBolts2.pdf|title=Nuts and Bolts II: The Theory, Practice, and Components of United Methodist Worship|publisher=South Carolina Conference of The United Methodist Church ([[South Carolina Annual Conference]]|access-date =March 18, 2014}}</ref>
<ref name="UMC – Abortion">{{cite web |url = http://archives.umc.org/interior.asp?mid=1732| title = Abortion |publisher = The United Methodist Church|access-date =March 13, 2014}}</ref>
<ref name="UMC—Alcohol and Other Drugs">{{cite web |url = http://archives.umc.org/interior.asp?mid=1755| title = Alcohol and Other Drugs |publisher = The United Methodist Church|access-date =July 7, 2007}}</ref>
<ref name="UMC—Alcohol and Other Drugs2">{{cite web|url = http://wesley.nnu.edu/john-wesley/the-letters-of-john-wesley/wesleys-letters-1789b/|title = The Letters of John Wesley "To the Printer of the 'Bristol Gazette,' Sept. 7, 1789|publisher = The Wesley Center Online|access-date = November 19, 2012|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20161011074709/http://wesley.nnu.edu/john-wesley/the-letters-of-john-wesley/wesleys-letters-1789b/|archive-date = October 11, 2016|url-status = dead}}</ref>
<ref name="UMC-Altar Call">{{cite web |url = http://archives.umc.org/interior.asp?mid=258&GID=349&GMOD=VWD&GCAT=A| title = Altar Call|publisher = The United Methodist Church|access-date =August 2, 2007}}</ref>
<ref name="UMC—Apostle's Creed">{{cite web |url = http://gbgm-umc.org/UMW/bible/apcreed.html|title = The Apostles' Creed|publisher = The United Methodist Church GBGM|access-date = June 24, 2007 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070615170932/http://gbgm-umc.org/UMW/bible/apcreed.html |archive-date = June 15, 2007}}</ref>
<ref name="UMC—Article I—Of Faith in the Holy Trinity">{{cite web |url = http://archives.umc.org/interior.asp?ptid=1&mid=1817|title = The Articles of Religion of the Methodist Church: Article I—Of Faith in the Holy Trinity|publisher = The United Methodist Church |access-date =August 31, 2007}}</ref>
<ref name="UMC—Article XVII—Of Baptism">{{cite web|url = http://archives.umc.org/interior.asp?ptid=1&mid=1651|title = The Articles of Religion of the Methodist Church: Article XVII—Of Baptism|publisher = The United Methodist Church|access-date = August 15, 2007|archive-date = April 27, 2006|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060427002238/http://archives.umc.org/interior.asp?ptid=1&mid=1651|url-status = dead}}</ref>
<ref name="UMC—A United Methodist Understanding of Baptism">{{cite web|url = http://www.umc.org/site/c.lwL4KnN1LtH/b.1697379/k.9027/Baptism_Overview.htm|title = A United Methodist Understanding of Baptism|publisher = The United Methodist Church|access-date = August 15, 2007|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070815202138/http://www.umc.org/site/c.lwL4KnN1LtH/b.1697379/k.9027/Baptism_Overview.htm|archive-date = August 15, 2007|url-status = dead}}</ref>
<ref name="UMC—Capital Punishment">{{cite web |url = http://archives.umc.org/interior_print.asp?ptid=4&mid=1070| title = Capital Punishment |publisher = The United Methodist Church|access-date =June 8, 2007}}</ref>
<ref name="UMC—Communion: Overview">{{cite web|url = http://www.umc.org/site/c.lwL4KnN1LtH/b.2247711/k.C611/Communion_Overview.htm|title = Communion: Overview|publisher = The United Methodist Church|access-date = August 15, 2007|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070807072117/http://www.umc.org/site/c.lwL4KnN1LtH/b.2247711/k.C611/Communion_Overview.htm|archive-date = August 7, 2007|url-status = dead}}</ref>
<ref name="UMC—Doctrinal Standards">{{cite web |url = http://archives.umc.org/interior.asp?mid=1647|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071007102252/http://archives.umc.org/interior.asp?mid=1647|archive-date=7 October 2007|title = Doctrinal Standards in The United Methodist Church|publisher = The United Methodist Church |access-date =July 5, 2007}}</ref>
<ref name="UMC-Evangelical">{{cite web|url = http://www.umc.org/site/apps/ka/ct/contactcustom.asp?c=lwL4KnN1LtH&b=2068577#|title = Is the concept "saved, born-again" unique to evangelicals?|publisher = The United Methodist Church|access-date = August 1, 2007|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070810034616/http://www.umc.org/site/apps/ka/ct/contactcustom.asp?c=lwL4KnN1LtH&b=2068577|archive-date = August 10, 2007|url-status = dead}}</ref>
<ref name="UMC—Gambling">{{cite web|url = http://www.umc.org/site/c.lwL4KnN1LtH/b.1691605/k.A8EB/Gambling_Overview.htm|title = Gambling|publisher = The United Methodist Church|access-date = June 24, 2007|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070705071813/http://www.umc.org/site/c.lwL4KnN1LtH/b.1691605/k.A8EB/Gambling_Overview.htm|archive-date = July 5, 2007|url-status = dead}}</ref>
<ref name="UMC GBGM-Grace">{{cite web |url = http://gbgm-umc.org/umw/wesley/walk.stm|title = God's Preparing, Accepting, and Sustaining Grace|publisher = The United Methodist Church GBGM|access-date = August 2, 2007 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080109013416/http://gbgm-umc.org/UMW/Wesley/walk.stm |archive-date = January 9, 2008}}</ref>
<ref name="UMC GBGM- MCI">{{cite web| url = http://gbgm-umc.org/global_news/full_article.cfm?articleid=3174| title = The Methodist Church in India: Bangalore Episcopal Area| publisher = The United Methodist Church GBGM| access-date = October 18, 2007| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120524022335/https://gbgm-umc.org/global_news/full_article.cfm?articleid=3174| archive-date = May 24, 2012}}</ref>
<ref name="UMC GBGM- Sermon 50">{{cite web |url = http://new.gbgm-umc.org/umhistory/wesley/sermons/50/|title = The Use of Money by John Wesley|publisher = The United Methodist Church GBGM|access-date = July 7, 2007 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070914105452/http://new.gbgm-umc.org/umhistory/wesley/sermons/50/ |archive-date = September 14, 2007 |url-status = dead}}</ref>
<ref name="UMC GBGM-The New Birth">{{cite web |url = http://new.gbgm-umc.org/umhistory/wesley/sermons/45/|title = The New Birth by John Wesley (Sermon 45)|publisher = The United Methodist Church GBGM|access-date = August 2, 2007 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070913232442/http://new.gbgm-umc.org/umhistory/wesley/sermons/45/ |archive-date = September 13, 2007}}</ref>
<ref name="UMC GBOD—By Water & The Spirit">{{cite web |url = http://www.gbod.org/worship/articles/water_spirit/|title = By Water & The Spirit|publisher = The United Methodist Church GBOD|access-date = August 15, 2007 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070830132648/http://www.gbod.org/worship/articles/water_spirit/ |archive-date = August 30, 2007}}</ref>
<ref name="UMC GBOD-lay speaker">{{cite web |url = http://www.gbod.org/laity/lay_speaking/lsm03.pdf|title = Lay Speaking Ministry in the United Methodist Church|publisher = The United Methodist Church GBOD|access-date = August 1, 2007 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070809115111/http://www.gbod.org/laity/lay_speaking/lsm03.pdf |archive-date = August 9, 2007 |url-status = dead}}</ref>
<ref name="UMC GBOD-lay speaking history">{{cite web |url = http://www.gbod.org/laity/lay_speaking/history/lshist.pdf|title = A History of the Office of Lay Speaker in United Methodism|publisher = The United Methodist Church GBOD|access-date = August 1, 2007 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070809115112/http://www.gbod.org/laity/lay_speaking/history/lshist.pdf |archive-date = August 9, 2007 |url-status = dead}}</ref>
<ref name="UMC: Glossary—Baptism">{{cite web |url = http://archives.umc.org/interior.asp?mid=258&GID=63&GMOD=VWD&GCAT=B| title = Baptism |publisher = The United Methodist Church|access-date =June 8, 2007}}</ref>
<ref name="UMC—Grape Juice">{{cite web |url = http://archives.umc.org/interior.asp?ptid=1&mid=1339| title = Why do most Methodist churches serve grape juice instead of wine for Holy Communion? |publisher = The United Methodist Church|access-date =July 7, 2007|url-status=dead|archive-date=10 October 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071010045529/http://archives.umc.org/interior.asp?ptid=1&mid=1339}}</ref>
<ref name="UMC—Homosexuality">{{cite web |url = http://archives.umc.org/interior.asp?mid=1324| title = What is the denomination's position on homosexuality?|publisher = The United Methodist Church|access-date =June 24, 2007}}</ref>
<ref name="UMC—Just War">{{cite web|url = http://archives.umc.org/interior.asp?ptid=1&mid=1410|title = What is The United Methodist Church's position on just war?|publisher = The United Methodist Church|access-date = June 8, 2007|archive-date = October 7, 2007|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071007103553/http://archives.umc.org/interior.asp?ptid=1&mid=1410|url-status = dead}}</ref>
<ref name="UMC-Local Pastor">{{cite web |url = http://www.gbhem.org/site/c.lsKSL3POLvF/b.3584091/k.9D9C/Local_Pastor.htm|title = Local Pastor|publisher = General Board of Higher Education & Ministry (UMC)|access-date = July 8, 2009 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090714153755/http://www.gbhem.org/site/c.lsKSL3POLvF/b.3584091/k.9D9C/Local_Pastor.htm |archive-date = July 14, 2009 |url-status = dead}}</ref>
<ref name="UMC LSM- Lay Speaking Ministries and The Book of Discipline">{{cite web |url = http://www.layspeakingministries.org/BOD.html|title = Lay Speaking Ministries and The Book of Discipline|publisher = The United Methodist Church LSM|access-date = August 1, 2007 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070705031923/http://www.layspeakingministries.org/BOD.html |archive-date = July 5, 2007 |url-status = dead}}</ref>
<ref name="UMC—MCI">{{cite web|url = http://www.umc.org/site/c.gjJTJbMUIuE/b.2213807/k.A1A1/Indias_Methodists_celebrate_150_years_of_ministry.htm|title = India Methodists celebrate 150 years of ministry|publisher = The United Methodist Church|access-date = October 18, 2007|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20061206104810/http://www.umc.org/site/c.gjJTJbMUIuE/b.2213807/k.A1A1/Indias_Methodists_celebrate_150_years_of_ministry.htm|archive-date = December 6, 2006|url-status = dead}}</ref>
<ref name="UMC—Military Service">{{cite web |url = http://archives.umc.org/interior.asp?ptid=1&mid=1830| title = Military Service |publisher = The United Methodist Church|access-date =June 24, 2007}}</ref>
<ref name="UMC—Nicene Creed">{{cite web |url = http://gbgm-umc.org/UMW/BIBLE/ncreed.html|title = The Nicene Creed|publisher = The United Methodist Church GBGM|access-date = June 24, 2007 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080511203721/http://www.bookofconcord.org/creeds.html |archive-date = May 11, 2008}}</ref>
<ref name="UMC—Official church statements on capital punishment">{{cite web |url = http://archives.umc.org/umns/news_archive2003.asp?story=%7B6C69E3F8-5173-4737-A8D2-AC0EF8564777%7D&mid=2406| title = Official church statements on capital punishment |publisher = The United Methodist Church|access-date =June 8, 2007}}</ref>
<ref name="UMCofWB">{{cite web |url = http://www.umcwfb.org/_ABOUTUS/about_us_ourstory.htm|title = What We Believe—Founder of the United Methodist Church|publisher = United Methodist Church of Whitefish Bay|access-date = August 1, 2007 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080325213036/http://www.umcwfb.org/_aboutus/about_us_ourstory.htm |archive-date = March 25, 2008}}</ref>
<ref name="UMC—Ordination of Women">{{cite web |url = http://archives.umc.org/interior.asp?mid=1090| title = Why Do United Methodists Ordain Women When the Bible Specifically Prohibits it?|publisher = The United Methodist Church |access-date =March 19, 2007}}</ref>
<ref name="UMC—Our Christian Roots">{{cite web|url = http://www.umc.org/site/c.lwL4KnN1LtH/b.2299859/k.13B7/Our_Christian_Roots.htm|title = Our Christian Roots|publisher = The United Methodist Church|access-date = June 8, 2007|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070527150441/http://www.umc.org/site/c.lwL4KnN1LtH/b.2299859/k.13B7/Our_Christian_Roots.htm|archive-date = May 27, 2007|url-status = dead}}</ref>
<ref name="UMC—Our Common Heritage as Christians">{{cite book|chapter-url = http://archives.umc.org/interior.asp?mid=1806|chapter = Our Common Heritage as Christians|title=The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church|year=2004|publisher = The United Methodist Church|access-date = June 24, 2007|archive-date = December 28, 2012|archive-url = https://archive.today/20121228082744/http://archives.umc.org/interior.asp?mid=1806|url-status = dead}}</ref>
<ref name="UMC—Pornography">{{cite web |url = http://www.umsexualethics.org/AccusedConfused/Whatswrongwithpornography.aspx|title = What's Wrong with Pornography?|publisher = United Methodist Church|access-date = June 24, 2007 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100429232856/http://www.umsexualethics.org/AccusedConfused/Whatswrongwithpornography.aspx |archive-date = April 29, 2010}}</ref>
<ref name="UMC-Quick Facts">{{cite web |url=http://www.umc.org/news-and-media/united-methodists-at-a-glance |title=Quick Facts |work=UM News |publisher=The United Methodist Church |access-date=January 30, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180212184107/http://www.umc.org/news-and-media/united-methodists-at-a-glance |archive-date=February 12, 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

<ref name="UMC—Stem Cell Research">{{cite web|url = http://archives.umc.org/interior.asp?ptid=4&mid=6560|title = Ethics of Embryonic Stem Cell Research|publisher = The United Methodist Church|access-date = June 24, 2007|archive-date = April 16, 2013|archive-url = https://archive.today/20130416013454/http://archives.umc.org/interior.asp?ptid=4&mid=6560|url-status = dead}}</ref>
<ref name="UMC—The General Rules of the Methodist Church">{{cite web |url = http://archives.umc.org/interior.asp?mid=1658| title = The General Rules of the Methodist Church|publisher = The United Methodist Church |access-date =July 5, 2007}}</ref>
<ref name="UMC- Vote for Full Communion">{{cite web |url = http://www.umc.org/site/apps/nlnet/content3.aspx?c=lwL4KnN1LtH&b=2072519&ct=4945313|title = UMC, ELCA conclude dialogue, look toward votes|publisher = The United Methodist Church|access-date = May 16, 2007 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110607060352/http://www.umc.org/site/apps/nlnet/content3.aspx?c=lwL4KnN1LtH&b=2072519&ct=4945313 |archive-date = June 7, 2011 |url-status = dead}}</ref>
<ref name="UMC—War and Peace">{{cite web |url = http://karchives.umc.org/interior.asp?mid=1834|title = War and Peace|publisher = The United Methodist Church|access-date = June 24, 2007 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090505020451/http://karchives.umc.org/interior.asp?mid=1834 |archive-date = May 5, 2009 |url-status = dead}}</ref>
<ref name="UMC—Wesleyan Quadrilateral">{{cite web |url = http://archives.umc.org/interior.asp?mid=258&GID=312&GMOD=VWD&GCAT=W| title = Wesleyan Quadrilateral |publisher = The United Methodist Church|access-date =June 24, 2007}}</ref>
<ref name="UMC—What does The United Methodist Church believe about baptism?">{{cite web |url = http://archives.umc.org/interior.asp?ptid=1&mid=1252|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071010051056/http://archives.umc.org/interior.asp?ptid=1&mid=1252|archive-date=10 October 2007|title = What does The United Methodist Church believe about baptism?|publisher = The United Methodist Church |access-date =August 15, 2007}}</ref>
<ref name="UMC—World Methodists approve further ecumenical dialogue">{{cite web|url = http://www.umc.org/site/c.gjJTJbMUIuE/b.1863123/k.FF49/World_Methodists_approve_further_ecumenical_dialogue.htm|title = World Methodists approve further ecumenical dialogue|publisher = The United Methodist Church|access-date = June 8, 2007|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060721210415/http://www.umc.org/site/c.gjJTJbMUIuE/b.1863123/k.FF49/World_Methodists_approve_further_ecumenical_dialogue.htm|archive-date = July 21, 2006|url-status = dead|date=20 July 2006|author-first1=Joan G. |author-last1=LaBarr}}</ref>
<ref name="UMNS—Judicial Council denies reconsideration of two decisions">{{cite web|url = http://www.umc.org/site/c.gjJTJbMUIuE/b.1613597/k.C9D6/Judicial_Council_denies_reconsideration_of_two_decisions.htm|title = Judicial Council denies reconsideration of two decisions|publisher = The United Methodist News Service (UMNS)|access-date = December 24, 2007|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071016204528/http://www.umc.org/site/c.gjJTJbMUIuE/b.1613597/k.C9D6/Judicial_Council_denies_reconsideration_of_two_decisions.htm|archive-date = October 16, 2007|url-status = dead|author-first1=Neill|author-last1=Caldwell|date=2 May 2006}}</ref>
<ref name="Wesleyan Holiness Consortium - Members">{{cite web |url = http://www.holinessandunity.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=44&Itemid=33|title= Participating Denominations|quote=Brethren in Christ Church, Christian & Missionary Alliance, Christian & Missionary Alliance – Canada, Church of God – Anderson, Church of God – Cleveland, Church of the Nazarene, Free Methodist Church, Shield of Faith, The Evangelical Church, The Foursquare Church, The Salvation Army, The Wesleyan Church, United Methodist Church |access-date =December 31, 2007}}</ref>
<ref name="Wesley Heritage Foundation">{{cite web |url = http://www.wesleyheritagefoundation.org/articles/Alcoholism.pdf|title = John Wesley and His Challenge to Alcoholism|publisher = Wesley Heritage Foundation|access-date = July 7, 2007 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090327052812/http://www.wesleyheritagefoundation.org/articles/Alcoholism.pdf |archive-date = March 27, 2009}}</ref>
<!--unused<ref name="William A. Bowen - Standards of Doctrine">{{cite book |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=Qz3TAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA12&dq=apostolic+succession|title=SWhy two Episcopal Methodist churches in the United States?: A brief history answering this question for the benefit of Epworth leaguers and other young Methodists|quote= When any one asks for authority for calling Wesley's "Notes" and the first fifty-three of his "Sermons" (of the one hundred and fory-seven published in 1771) our "Standards of Doctrines" the answer will be conclusive to all logical minds by citing the fact that Mr. Wesley recognized none as Methodists who did not recognized the named standards; that Mr. Wesley, personally, through special authority, delegated by word of mouth and explicit communication by Dr. Coke, organized the Church in America the latter part of the same year he recorded his "Deed of Declaration;" and that he planned the Church in America in every detail of essential principle, even giving it a limited episcopacy; the Church in America acknowledged in every moment and by preaching and teaching Wesley's "Sermons" and "Notes" that it was organized as a Wesley Methodist Church.|publisher =[[Methodist Episcopal Church, South|Publishing House of the M.E. Church, South]]|access-date =December 31, 2007}}</ref>-->
<ref name="William Joseph Whalen - Christian Perfection">{{cite book|author-first1=William Joseph|author-last1=Whalen| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=sw9ILcqw2hsC&q=salvation+of+separated+brethren&pg=PA162| title = Separated brethren: a review of Protestant, Anglican, Eastern Orthodox & other religions in the United States| year = 2002| quote = Wesley taught that a man who has experienced a second blessing or entire sanctification can be absolutely sure he will reach heaven. Such a man can lose all inclination to evil and can gain perfection in this life. 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.| publisher = [[Our Sunday Visitor]]| isbn = 9781931709057| access-date = March 27, 2010}}{{Dead link|date=February 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
<ref name="William Joseph Whalen - Hospitals & Universities">{{cite book| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=sw9ILcqw2hsC&q=salvation+of+separated+brethren&pg=PA162| title = Separated brethren: a review of Protestant, Anglican, Eastern Orthodox & other religions in the United States| isbn = 9781931709057| quote = Among Protestant denominations, Methodists take first place in hospitals and colleges. Some of their one hundred colleges and universities have all but severed ties with the denominations, but others remain definitely Methodist: Syracuse, Boston, Emory, Duke, Drew, Denver, and Southern Methodist.| last1 = Whalen| first1 = William Joseph| year = 2002| publisher = Our Sunday Visitor}}{{Dead link|date=February 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
<ref name="William Joseph Whalen - Membership">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sw9ILcqw2hsC&q=methodism+our+separated+brethren&pg=PA71|title=Separated Brethren: A Review of Protestant, Anglican, Eastern Orthodox & Other Religions in the United States|year=2002|quote=Today the World Methodist Council represents twenty-nine million members of some sixty churches that trace their heritage to Wesley and his brother Charles.|publisher=[[Our Sunday Visitor]]|isbn=9781931709057|access-date=December 31, 2007}}{{Dead link|date=February 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
<ref name="Women's Service in the Church">{{cite web |url=http://www.ntwrightpage.com/Wright_Women_Service_Church.htm |title=Women's Service in the Church: The Biblical Basis |publisher=St. John's College |access-date=July 8, 2009 |archive-date=September 13, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160913211712/http://ntwrightpage.com/Wright_Women_Service_Church.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref>
<ref name="Yearbook">{{cite web|url=http://www.thearda.com/Denoms/D_1469.asp|title=Historic Archive CD and ''Yearbook of American & Canadian Churches''|publisher=The National Council of Churches|access-date=December 8, 2009|archive-date=May 31, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120531022320/http://www.thearda.com/Denoms/D_1469.asp|url-status=dead}}</ref>
}}

==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
* {{cite book|url=http://www.brewinbooks.com/eliza_asbury?search=Hallam|last1=Hallam|first1=David J. A.|title=Eliza Asbury: her cottage and her son|publisher=Brewin Books|year=2003|isbn=1-85858-235-0|archive-date=March 29, 2019|access-date=March 29, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190329171416/http://www.brewinbooks.com/eliza_asbury%3Fsearch%3DHallam|url-status=dead}} 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.&nbsp;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) [https://books.google.com/books?id=6TzTAAAAMAAJ online]
* 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; [http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayAbstract?fromPage=online&aid=9656691&fileId=S0022046914002747 online review]
* 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===
* {{cite book|editor-last=De Puy |editor-first=William Harrison |title=The Methodist Year-book: 1921 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RcURAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA252|year=1921}}
* 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==
{{Commons category|United Methodist churches}}
* [https://www.umc.org/ Official website]

{{United Methodist Church}}
{{Methodist Episcopal Church}}
{{Mainline Protestantism in the United States}}
{{National Council of Churches members}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:1968 establishments in Texas]]
[[Category:Christian organizations established in 1968]]
[[Category:Members of the National Council of Churches]]
[[Category:Members of the World Council of Churches]]
[[Category:Methodist denominations]]
[[Category:Methodist denominations established in the 20th century]]
[[Category:Methodist denominations in North America]]
[[Category:Prohibition in the United States]]
[[Category:United Methodist Church| ]]
[[Category:Affirming Christian denominations in the United States]]
[[Category:Christian denominations founded in the United States]]