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United Methodism Facts and Figures

The United Methodist Church in the United States has:

Over 8 Million Lay Members

Nearly 45,000 Clergy Members

Over 35,000 Local Churches

520 Districts and 63 Conferences

50 Bishops (Episcopal) Areas

United Methodism Worldwide

Counting the U.S. there are more than 11.5 million United Methodists around the world.

United Methodism

John Wesley and the early Methodists placed primary emphasis on Christian living and putting faith and love into action through what he defined as “social holiness.” Wesley believed strongly in “personal” and “social piety.” This emphasis continues to be a hallmark of United Methodism today and is described in the Social Principles of the United Methodist Church.

Wesley also believed in the primacy of Scripture, but in order to understand the meaning of God’s Word in our lives he applied:

Tradition – the two millennia history of the Christian Church
Reason – rational thinking and sensible interpretation
Experience – a Christian's personal and communal journey in Christ

Known as the Wesleyan Quadrilateral, this process of interpretation using multiple perspectives was the chief test of the "truth and nothing but the whole truth" of a particular interpretation of scripture. The practical application of Scripture in one's Experience was essential. Wesley believed Scriptural truths should be lived, not just thought about or merely believed.

United Methodists share a common heritage with all Christians. According to the foundational statement of beliefs in The Book of Discipline, Methodists share the following basic affirmations in common with all Christian communities:

The Trinity
United Methodists describe God in three persons; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are commonly used to refer to the threefold nature of God. Sometimes other terms are used such as Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer.
-- Excerpt from What Every Teacher Needs to Know About Theology (Discipleship Resources, 2002).

God
United Methodists believe in one God, who created the world and all that is in it.
United Methodists believe that God is sovereign; God is the ruler of the universe.
United Methodists believe that God is loving. We can experience God’s love and grace.
-- Excerpt from What Every Teacher Needs to Know About Theology (Discipleship Resources, 2002).

In addition, other foundations of Methodist beliefs include;

Sin. While human beings were intended to bear the image of God, all humans are sinners for whom that image is distorted.

Salvation through Jesus Christ. God's redeeming love is active to save sinners through Jesus' incarnate life and teachings, through his atoning death, his resurrection, his sovereign presence through history, and his promised return.

Sacraments. The UMC recognizes only two sacraments: Holy Baptism and Holy Communion. We practice infant baptism and have an open communion for all.

Free will. The UMC believes that people, while corrupted by sin, are free to make their own choices because of God's divine grace.

Grace. The UMC believes that God gives unmerited favor freely to all people, though it may be resisted.

United Methodism information provided by www.umc.org.

Brief History of Methodism

JOHN WESLEY (1703-1791) was the founder of Methodism. He was an ordained priest in the Church of England and with his brother Charles began a renewal movement derisively called "Method-ists". He sent missionaries to America in 1771, including:

FRANCIS ASBURY (1745-1816): the only missionary to stay through the Revolutionary War; implemented the itinerant system; became the first American bishop. In the last 21 years of his life he recruited over 700 clergy, more than 2,000 local preachers and an estimated 212,000 members. His funeral was attended by 20,000 people.

THOMAS COKE
(9 September 1747 – 2 May 1814) was the first Methodist Bishop and is known as the Father of Methodist Missions.

Important Dates:

1771	First Methodist missionaries sent to America from England
1784	December 24: The Baltimore Christmas Conference, the first Methodist organizing conference in the Americas was held. Asbury ordained bishop: Church named the Methodist Episcopal Church.
1830	Reform-minded group left MEC and started the Methodist Protestant Church.
1845	Slavery issue caused another split resulting in the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.
1939	MEC, MEC South, and MPC reunited to form the Methodist Church.
1956	Women given full clergy rights
1968	April: The Evangelical United Brethren, originally German speaking congregations following the Wesleyan tradition, merged with the Methodist Church to form the United Methodist Church.