United Methodism: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow

The United Methodist Religion was founded by John Wesley in the mid-1700's. Back then, the members consisted mostly of outcasts from other churches and others who were seeking a new and different purpose in their religious lifestyle. Wesley himself was ostracized from his father's church and disconcerted with the renewal movement within the Church of England. He formed the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1784 which was the foundation of today's United Methodist Church.

Over the next 200 years, the church divided into a dozen different factions representing smaller groups with the same beliefs. The Wesleyn Methodist, Evangelical, and Protestant religions are begun and each church begins to solidify its belief structure. Bishop, minister, and laity roles are also developed. It is during this time when black congregations are formed, black preachers receive full clergy rights and women win the right to lead in laity and clergy positions.

It wasn't until 1968 that the official United Methodist Church was formed. Since then, the church has established a strong belief system to base it's ministry on. Those beliefs can be found in The Book of Discipline which is updated every four years at the General Conference. This year (2000) is a General Conference meeting and the petitions voted on will affect the church for the next four years and beyond. Information on the petitions can be found at http://gc2000.umc.org/ and updates on the outcome of the voting will be available shortly after the conference ends on May 12.

Although The United Methodist faith was founded on somewhat radical beliefs at the start, it has become a very traditional church in its practices. The issues facing modern society today such as homosexuality, same-sex unions performed in the church, abortion, and finances also affect the church and are among the social principles to be voted upon at this years conference. The church and its followers find themselves thrust into the chaos of the future while trying to hold onto their fundamentalist beliefs. Only time can tell where this will lead.

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