Methodist Church

There are Methodist Churches in nearly every country in the world and global membership numbers about 70 million in 138 countries. The World Methodist Council (WMC), an association of churches in the Methodist tradition, comprises more than 40.5 million Methodists.

There are at least 19 Wesleyan Methodist denominations in the United States with the United Methodist Church being the largest. United Methodists number about 8 million laypersons in the United States, along with another 3.5 million in Africa, Asia and Europe combined.

UMC women ordainedMethodism was founded by English college students, most notably Charles and John Wesley. Initially, they sought reform within the Church of England.  As Methodist congregations multiplied, and elements of a distinct theology were adopted, the rift between John Wesley and the Church of England steadily expanded.

In 1739 they adopted a set of “methods” or disciplines by which Christians could improve their living of the Christian faith.

The history of Methodism in the United States dates back to Baltimore in 1784. It was introduced into America by Irish immigrants who had been converted. Methodists in America were separated from the Church of England because of the American Revolution.

John Wesley taught four key points fundamental to the Methodist Church. They were:

  1. A person is free not only to reject salvation but also to accept it by an act of free will.
  2. All people who are obedient to the gospel according to the measure of knowledge given them will be saved.
  3. The Holy Spirit assures a Christian of their salvation directly, through an inner “experience” (assurance of salvation).
  4. Christians in this life are capable of Christian perfection and are commanded by God to pursue it.

Methodist Church Methodists tend to be less strict in regard to what is required for belief and more open to accepting differences of opinion among believers. They tend to be more concerned with “deeds” than “creeds.” The Methodist have a well-defined church-government with Bishops heading the various regional conferences, Elders serving as the pastors of Churches, and Deacons as associates. Methodist churches of the same denomination often differ to some degree in their theology and practice.

The General Conference, a representative body of no more than 1000 clergy and lay persons, meet every four years to officially determine church policy and speak on social issues.

Another Methodist denomination, The Free Methodist Church, was formed in 1860 and has nearly 732,000 members worldwide in 82 nations. There are about 74,000 members in the United States.

The largest Methodist groups are the World Methodist Council, AME Church, AME Zion Church, Church of the Nazarene, CME Church, Free Methodist Church, Methodist Church of Great Britain, Uniting Church in Australia, United Methodist Church, and Wesleyan Church.