THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

                                                                   A Connected Body for Missions

                                                                            By Donald Williams

     The connectionalism of the local church is firmly grounded in New Testament writings. Jesus described the church as the spiritual vine connected to himself, the branch. Using a physiological metaphor, the Apostle Paul described the church as the body of Christ, joined by ligaments-a unified entity. Such is the United Methodist church in the world, connected by districts, conferences, the episcopacy, a shared confession, for the mutual flourishing of all and the spreading of holiness throughout the land.

                                                                    Historical Background

     The connectional aspects of the United Methodist church date back to its beginnings during the 18thcentury as a para-church movement within the Anglican church. Religious societies were connected by circuits within an annual conferences[1]. As the church experienced the metamorphosis from para-church movement to a new faith denomination, individuals within the Methodist movement were connected by a shared theological understanding of the divine as reflected in the 24 Articles of Religion, John Wesley's published sermons and notes on the New Testament. These connections were further strengthened through shared liturgical traditions as established by John Wesley and beauteous hymns of Charles Wesley. These were the foundations for not only establishing a Methodist ethos, but a strong sense of connection in the new denomination.

     As Methodism developed as a faith tradition independent of the Anglican Church, its connectional aspects and polity were established in the Large Articles, which later became known as the Book of Discipline. The Book of Disciplineestablishes the organizational structure of the new denomination, guidelines for annual and general conferences, the election of the episcopacy, the appointment of ecclesial leaders to churches, the rights of clergy to a trial among their peers and much more. It is published every four years following the convening of the General Conference. It should be noted, the Book of Disciplineis a not an unchangeable document, but a dynamic work subject to continued development by leaders of the church.

                                                                            The Social Creed

     The connectionalism of the United Methodist church is beautifully expressed in our social creed. The creed articulates a shared commitment to social justice in the world regarding the stewardship of creation, the strengthening of the family, the protection of human rights for the poor, disabled and disenfranchised in society. Thus, the social creed asserts:

                          We believe in the right and duty of persons to work for the glory of

                          God and the good of themselves and others and in the protection of their

                          welfare in so doing; in the rights to property as a trust from God, collective

                          bargaining, and responsible consumption; and in the elimination of economic

                          and social distress.

The creed ends on a triumphal note of acknowledging Christ's ultimate victory and reign in the world. As the church, we are connected in this strong eschatological hope.

                                                                 Organizational Structure

     The local church is strongly connected through its organizational structure. Conferences are typically divided into regional districts and that are managed by a District Supervisor. Districts often are divided into clusters of churches that gather together for mutual support of mission objectives and the convening of charge conferences. Charge conferences typically vote on matters such as pastor salaries, the recommendation of laity for ordained ministry and other matters. Although on the service such pragmatic matters lack the glamour and appeal of more dynamic aspects of missions, it is reflective of the interconnected nature of the local church. It reflects the body of Christ working together in symbiotic unity its mutual flourishing in the world. This comports well with Aristotelian concepts of human flourishing.

                                                                      The Episcopacy

     Local churches are also connected through the high office of the episcopacy[AS1] . This strong authority within each conference in instrumental in unifying conferences and establishing missional vision. United Methodist bishops are elected through a complexed process of discernment and voting. The Bishop serves as the chief executive officer and spiritual leader of an established conference within the church. Moreover, the Bishop's office works closely District Superintendents [AS2] to appoint clergy to churches within the conference.

                                                                 Our Confession of Faith

     Taken form the United Brethren Statement of Faith, The UMC Confession of Faith helps to connect the church in a shared theological understanding of the Triune God and the created order. Below are highlights of the articles:

• Articles 1-3 focus on the Trinitarian nature of God, the hypostatic union of the three persons who are one. This comports well with the 24 Articles of Religion that also affirm the holy mystery of the Trinity that was firmly established at Nicaea.
• Article 4 affirms our faith in the New Testaments are the inspired and word of God through revelation for the world. It rejects doctrine that is not rooted in the scriptures.
• Article 5 affirms the importance of the Church as the community of believes under the lordship of Christ.
• Articles 6 affirms the symbolic importance of the two protestant sacraments, the Eucharist and baptism. The sacraments are acknowledged as invisible means of grace, that quicken, strengthen and affirm our faith in Christ[3].
• Article 7 affirms the corrupt state of humankind and our need to be born again. It acknowledges our utter dependency on God's grace to accomplish any good works. It also acknowledges the power of the Holy Spirit in empowering humankind to exercise free will in a holy manner.
• Article 10 acknowledges that good works are the necessary fruits of faith. They naturally spring forth from a faithful life pleasing to God.
• Article XI affirms our belief in the sanctifying work of the Word and the Sprit in the Christian's life. It acknowledges that we are cleansed from sin and empowered to live holy lives towards perfection. We strive to be perfect in love.
• Article XIII affirms that worship of God is the deontological responsibility of every human being. It acknowledges the need for worship to be supple and adaptive as Christianity is enculturated in different contexts.
• Article XVI affirms that civil governments receive their authority from God. Moreover, it expects civil governments to support the human rights of all citizens. The article asserts that war and bloodshed are contrary to the gospel of Christ.

                                                                                  Missions

     The United Methodist Church is also connectional in our shared vision for missions. Apportionments from local churches are paid to the conference annually to support a wide array of missions activities locally and broad. Among these missions is UMCOR, an UMC relief organization that provides major assistance to communities during national and international disasters. UMCOR often intersects with communities during their most vulnerable times as they recover from hurricanes, earthquakes and other disasters.

     The shared connection in mission is also reflective in the work of the Office of Church and Society, located in the nation's capital. This unique organization works in the areas of civil justice, human rights, the protection of women and children, environmental and economic justice. The office is currently involved in addressing prison reform (the school to prison pipeline in America), the protection of religious freedom and a host of other issues. This effort comports well with the 5 marks of mission, as identified in Mission in the 21stCentury where in addition to the proclamation of the word, the making of disciples, compassionate response to human need, care of the environment, the transformation of unjust structures in society is the focus. As United Methodist, we are honored to participate in the shared vison of social justice in the world.

     Perhaps the best description of connectionalism within the United Methodist Church, as it relates to mission, is articulated by John Wesley:

                     Christ died for all, all are called to holy living and there is no such thing as

                     solitary religion.

For Wesley, mission was essential to the work of the church. Oversight and accountability was necessary for holy living. Moreover, societies were necessary to sustain the renewal movement[4].

     The New Testament is replete with examples of the connectionalism of the local church. Using a vivid-physiological metaphor, the Apostle Paul described the church as the body of Christ, joined by ligaments-a unified entity with Christ as its head. Jesus described the church as the spiritual vine connected to himself, the branch. Such is the United Methodist church, a vital network of districts, conferences, bishops and a shared confession, for the mutual flourishing of all, and the spreading of holiness throughout the land.