Now I’m the first to admit, I don’t often use the word “revolutionary” in relation to the United Methodist church. We’re not a church that is considered to be an “early adopter” when it comes to how church’s work. The “hot” churches, those that are at the cutting edge of new worship styles and ministries, are usually independent churches that don’t worry about fitting into a denominational framework. But, at one time, the United Methodist church was very much a revolutionary church. In fact, you can say it was the “American Revolution”-ary church, because it was formed at the same time as the American Revolution. The UM church is a distinctively American church – one formed out of the necessity of shaping a church when all of the English priests were recalled because of the war. Congregations were left without clergy to lead them, and so some lay leaders, along with clergy that stayed, came together to form a new church – the Methodist church.
It is exactly because of the way this church formed that we face a distinct structure in the scope of Christianity. The UM church, on a national level and to some point on a local level, is modeled after the structure of the United States government. We have an executive branch (Bishops, District Superintendents, national/conference officials, and pastors) who have a responsibility for the day to day work of the church. Our legislative branch comes in the form of our general, annual, and charge conferences. These bodies meet to decide the “law” of the church, the general (or worldwide) conference meets every 4 years, and the annual (area) and charge (local) conference meet yearly, with an equal balance of clergy and non-clergy representatives. Our church also has a judical branch, with a national judicial council that serves as the “supreme court” of the church, as well as having methods for handling disputes on an area and local level. All the “branches” have duties and responsibilities along with appropriate checks and balances.
How does this structure help us as a church? It places the power and responsibility not on one person (a pastor), but on the church as a whole. It is not a church led exclusively by the clergy, but managed through a cooperation between clergy and non-clergy. Neither does the non-clergy have an overabundance of power, but the clergy have the assurance that they are part of the greater church and have a larger support structure.
Maybe the UM church isn’t on the cutting edge of innovation, but we can stand firm in the idea that our structure gives us stability to move through the bumps of a changing world. We can trust that our balance gives us a great foundation as we serve Christ and seek to spread His love in the world.
