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122-791: The United Methodist Church ( UMC ) is a worldwide mainline Protestant denomination based in the United States , and a major part of Methodism . In the 19th century, its main predecessor, the Methodist Episcopal Church , was a leader in evangelicalism . The present denomination was founded in 1968 in Dallas, Texas , by union of the Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren Church . The UMC traces its roots back to

244-731: A "circuit rider", taking the gospel to the furthest reaches of the new frontier as he had done as a preacher in England . The first official organization in the United States occurred in Baltimore, Maryland , in 1784, with the formation of the Methodist Episcopal Church at the Christmas Conference with Francis Asbury and Thomas Coke as the leaders. Though John Wesley originally wanted the Methodists to stay within

366-560: A Spirit-filled and Christ-like life aimed toward love. Wesley never claimed this state of perfection for himself but instead insisted the attainment of perfection was possible for all Christians. Here the English Reformer parted company with both Luther and Calvin, who denied that a man would ever reach a state in this life in which he could not fall into sin. Such a man can lose all inclination to evil and can gain perfection in this life. Wesleyan theology maintains that salvation

488-531: A century. The Second Great Awakening was a catalyst for the reform of society. Efforts to improve the rights of women, reforming prisons, establishing free public schools, prohibiting alcohol, and (in the North) abolishing slavery were promoted by mainline churches. After the Civil War , however, tensions between evangelicals and non-evangelicals would re-emerge. As the practice of historical criticism spread to

610-636: A common approach that often leads to collaboration in organizations such as the National Council of Churches , and because of their involvement with the ecumenical movement , they are sometimes given the alternative label of "ecumenical Protestantism" (especially outside the United States). While in 1970 the mainline Protestant churches claimed most Protestants and more than 30 percent of the American population as members, as of 2009 they are

732-546: A living tree naturally and inevitably bears fruit. Wesleyan theology rejects the doctrine of eternal security , believing that salvation can be rejected . Wesley emphasized that believers must continue to grow in their relationship with Christ, through the process of Sanctification. A key outgrowth of this theology is the United Methodist dedication not only to the Evangelical Gospel of repentance and

854-660: A maxim among Methodists, who have always maintained a great diversity of opinion on many matters within the Church. The United Methodist Church allows for a wide range of theological and political beliefs. For example, former President George W. Bush ( R -TX), former First Lady Laura Bush and former Attorney General of the United States , Jeff Sessions , are United Methodists, as are Senator Elizabeth Warren ( D -MA), former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (D-NY) and former Senator Max Cleland (D-GA). The Pew Research Center 's 2014 US Religious Landscape Study concluded that

976-423: A minority among American Protestants, claiming approximately 15 percent of American adults. Some have criticized the term mainline for its alleged White Anglo-Saxon Protestant ethnocentric and elitist assumptions, and its erroneous association with the term "mainstream", since the term mainline almost exclusively described White , non- fundamentalist and non- evangelical Protestant Americans from its origin to

1098-615: A noted planter from the state, with Amos Scudder being responsible for the brickwork and Gilbert Butler for the woodwork. It was consecrated in 1840. During the mid-1800s, the rector was Stephen Elliott , the first bishop of the Diocese of Georgia and the only presiding bishop of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the Confederate States of America . On January 8, 1854, Thomas Fielding Scott

1220-604: A part of the RCRC locally. At the same General Conference, delegates voted to delete a four-decade-old statement from the Book of Resolutions which affirmed the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision on the legality of abortion. A new resolution was re-adopted 56–2 in a resolutions subcommittee, decrying gender-selective abortion while also describing abortion as "violent" and opposing abortions done for "trivial reasons." The resolution passed in

1342-563: A personal relationship with God, but also to the Social Gospel and a commitment to social justice issues that have included abolition, women's suffrage, labor rights, civil rights, and ministry with the poor. Methodist theology stands at a unique crossroads between evangelical , holiness and sacramental, as well as between liturgical and charismatic , and between Anglo-Catholic and Reformed worship. It has been characterized as Wesleyan–Arminian theology with an emphasis on

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1464-754: A separate Methodist Society. Together with Coke, Wesley sent The Sunday Service of the Methodists , Methodism's first liturgical text and the Articles of Religion , which were received and adopted by the Baltimore Christmas Conference of 1784, officially establishing the Methodist Episcopal Church. The conference was held at the Lovely Lane Methodist Church , considered the mother church of American Methodism. The new church grew rapidly in

1586-511: A separate denomination. In March 2021, conservative leaders of the UMC unveiled the name Global Methodist Church for the new traditionalist denomination, along with a new website and logo. The next General Conference was set for 2024. At that time, delegates were expected to vote on the Protocol for Reconciliation and Grace through Separation. The conservative Transitional Leadership Council said

1708-553: A vibrant lifetime and continue to evidence vital ministry and faith regardless of declining populations or birthrates. For example, giving and engagement with need and justice, both indicators of strong Christian faith, have increased despite the aging and loss of congregational members. While various Protestant denominations have experienced declining membership, the most pronounced changes have occurred among mainline churches. Demographic trends for evangelical and historically African-American churches have been more stable. According to

1830-608: Is at once "catholic, evangelical, and reformed." Today, the UMC is generally considered one of the more moderate and tolerant denominations with respect to race, gender , and ideology , though the denomination itself includes a wide spectrum of attitudes. Comparatively, the UMC stands to the right of liberal and progressive Protestant groups such as the United Church of Christ and the Episcopal Church on certain issues (especially regarding sexuality), but to

1952-721: Is called the General Conference and is the only organization which may speak officially for the UMC. The church is a member of the World Council of Churches , the World Methodist Council , and other religious associations. As of 2022, the UMC had 5,424,175 members and 29,746 churches in the United States. As of 2022, it had 9,984,925 members and 39,460 churches worldwide. In 2015, the Pew Research Center estimated that 3.6 percent of

2074-537: Is considered to be evangelical by Pew Research while the Association of Religion Data Archives considered it to be mainline. Mainline Protestantism is characterized by theological and ideological pluralism . While doctrinal standards and confessional statements exist, these are not usually interpreted in ways to exclude people from membership. Richard Hutcheson Jr., chairman of the Office of Review and Evaluation of

2196-737: Is higher than that of evangelicals: While the term "mainline" was not applied to churches until the 20th century, mainline churches trace their history to the Protestant Reformation of the 16th century. The largest and most influential Protestant denominations in Britain's Thirteen Colonies were the Anglicans (after the American Revolution called Episcopalians) and the Congregationalists (from which

2318-698: Is incompatible with Christian teaching", and ending bans on same-sex weddings and gay clergy. On May 28, 2024, the UMC's branch in the Ivory Coast voted to leave the UMC in response to the General Conference decision to allow same-sex marriages and gay clergy. With 1.2 million members, the Ivory Coast was the UMC's largest single presence outside the United States. Christianity • Protestantism The United Methodist Church seeks to create disciples for Christ through outreach, evangelism, and through seeking holiness, also called sanctification , by

2440-626: Is largely considered the first United Methodist theologian. The officially established Doctrinal Standards of United Methodism are: These Doctrinal Standards are constitutionally protected and nearly impossible to change or remove. Other doctrines of the United Methodist Church are found in the Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church . The basic beliefs of the United Methodist Church include: The key emphasis of Wesley's theology relates to how divine grace operates within

2562-479: Is more widely accepted as having the "mainstream Christianity" designation that also includes Catholics , Eastern and Oriental Orthodox believers, and non-Mainline Protestants such as Evangelical , Fundamentalist , Charismatic , Confessional , Confessing Movement , the historically Black church , and Global South Protestants . In the United Kingdom and Australia, the term mainline Protestant

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2684-758: Is not used, and mainstream does not mean progressive Protestant. Although some supporters and adherents, do claim that Mainline Protestant is synonymous with Mainstream Protestant. The largest mainline churches are sometimes referred to as the "Seven Sisters of American Protestantism ," a term apparently coined by William Hutchison. The "Seven Sisters" are: The term 'mainline' has also been applied to Canadian Protestant churches that share common origins with their US counterparts such as the: The Association of Religion Data Archives , Pew Research , and other sources also consider these denominations, listed with adherents and members, to be mainline: These same sources also consider "Mainline" other denominations outside

2806-473: Is the act of God's grace entirely, from invitation, to pardon, to growth in holiness . Furthermore, God's prevenient, justifying, and sanctifying grace interact dynamically in the lives of Christians from birth to death. According to Wesleyan understanding, good works are the fruit of one's salvation, not the way in which that salvation was earned. Faith and good works go hand in hand in Methodist theology:

2928-431: Is true for only 28% of congregations founded prior to 1900. As demographics change, the churches founded by earlier generations often struggle to adapt to changing conditions, including the declines or shifts in the age and ethnicity of local populations. Says David Roozen, Director of Hartford Seminary's Hartford Institute for Religion Research, "Location, Location, Location used to be the kind way that researchers described

3050-589: The African Methodist Episcopal Church . Absalom Jones became an Episcopal priest. In 1836, the church's basement was excavated to make room for a Sunday school. In the 1920s, a court case saved the church from being demolished to make way for the Benjamin Franklin Bridge . The case resulted in the bridge being relocated. Historic Saint George's welcomes visitors and is home to archives and a museum on Methodism. In

3172-570: The Association of Independent Methodists . As of December 30, 2023, the number of UMC churches in the United States that were approved for disaffiliation stood at 7,660. This figure represented approximately one-quarter of the UMC churches in the United States. In May 2024, the United Methodist Church General Conference repealed bans on LGBTQ clergy and same-sex marriage. The movement which would become

3294-652: The Congregational Methodist Church and Methodist Protestant Church , or became members of the Association of Independent Methodists . On May 10, 2022, the Judicial Council of the United Methodist Church ruled that annual UMC conferences in the United States cannot leave the church for the Global Methodist Church; only individual churches may do so. The Romania-Bulgaria Conference has left the UMC. As of May 2022,

3416-667: The Global Methodist Church was formed in 2022. Prior to the establishment of the Global Methodist Church, some Methodist congregations had already left the UMC to join the Free Methodist Church , a traditionalist Methodist denomination aligned with the Wesleyan-Holiness movement . Other former United Methodist congregations joined various conservative Methodist denominations , such as the Congregational Methodist Church , or became members of

3538-539: The New Birth . This experience can occur in different ways; it can be one transforming moment, such as an altar call experience, or it may involve a series of decisions across a period of time. Sanctifying Grace is that grace of God which sustains the believers in the journey toward Christian Perfection : a genuine love of God with heart, soul, mind, and strength, and a genuine love of our neighbors as ourselves. Sanctifying grace enables us to respond to God by leading

3660-512: The Presbyterian Church in the United States , observed that clergy candidates were more likely to be rejected due to "excessive narrowness" than for violating confessional standards. Mainline churches hold a range of theological orientations— conservative , moderate and liberal . About half of mainline Protestants describe themselves as liberal. Mainline Christian groups are often more accepting of other beliefs and faiths, affirm

3782-585: The Republican Party . Numbers of the wealthiest and most affluent American families , such as the Vanderbilts and Astors , Rockefeller , who were Baptists, Du Pont , Roosevelt , Forbes , Fords , Mellons , Whitneys , the Morgans and Harrimans are Episcopalian and Presbyterian families. Through the 1940s and 1950s, neo-orthodoxy had become the prevailing theological approach within

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3904-515: The Unitarians would later split). These were later surpassed in size and influence by the evangelical denominations: the Baptists, Presbyterians and Methodists. Sharing a common Reformation heritage with Episcopal and Congregational churches, these denominations together created the mainline. It was, according to historian Jason Lantzer, "the emerging evangelical movement that would help forge

4026-548: The United Methodist Church practice of Itinerancy, where clergy are intentionally moved from one church to another as often as yearly in an effort to support and encourage the United Methodist tradition of strong lay ministry. Mainline churches have also had difficulty attracting minorities, particularly Hispanics. Hispanics comprise 6 percent of the mainline population but 16 percent of the US population. According to

4148-544: The ecumenical movement , mainline churches are sometimes (especially outside the United States) given the alternative label of ecumenical Protestantism. These churches played a leading role in the Social Gospel movement and were active in social causes such as the civil rights movement and the women's movement . As a group, the mainline churches have maintained religious doctrine that stresses social justice and personal salvation . Members of mainline denominations have played leadership roles in politics, business, science,

4270-495: The ordination of women , and have become increasingly affirming of gay ordination . Nearly one-third of mainline Protestants call themselves conservative, and most local mainline congregations have a strong, active conservative element. Mainline denominations are historically Trinitarian and proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and Son of God. In practice, mainline churches tend to be theologically moderate and influenced by higher criticism , an approach used by scholars to separate

4392-498: The revival movement of John and Charles Wesley in England, as well as the Great Awakening in the United States. As such, the church's theological orientation is decidedly Wesleyan . It embraces liturgical worship , holiness , and evangelical elements. The United Methodist Church has a connectional polity , a typical feature of a number of Methodist denominations. It is organized into conferences . The highest level

4514-546: The 1960s. As the national population has grown these churches have shrunk from 63% of the population in 1970 to 54% by 2000, and 48% in 2012, ceasing to be the religious category for the majority of Americans. This statistic may be inaccurate due to the number of former or historically mainline Protestants who continue to espouse mainline Protestant values without active church attendance. American affiliation with mainline denominations declined from 55% of all Protestants in 1973 to 46% in 1998. The number of mainline congregations in

4636-441: The 2016 General Conference for the African Methodist Episcopal Church , a historically Black denomination but also identified as mainline, Hillary Clinton was invited to offer an address for the delegates and clergy. The term "mainline" once implied a certain numerical majority or dominant presence in mainstream society, but that is no longer the case. Protestant churches as a whole have slowly declined in total membership since

4758-728: The 20th century, they actively supported the Social Gospel . Mainline churches were basically pacifistic before 1940, but under the influence of people such as Reinhold Niebuhr they supported World War II and the Cold War . They have been far from uniform in their reaction to issues of gender and sexuality, though they tend to be more accepting than the Catholic Church or the more conservative Protestant churches. Many mainline denominations are active in voicing perspectives on social issues. Almost all mainline denominations are gender-inclusive and ordain women. On abortion issues,

4880-607: The 7,500 mainline Christians surveyed said the Bible is God's Word and is to be interpreted as literally true, word for word. Thirty-eight percent thought that the Bible is God's Word but is not to be taken literally, word for word. Twenty-eight percent said the Bible was not the Word of God but was of human origin. It has been noted, even by members of mainline churches, that the leadership of denominational agencies and bureaucracies has often been more theologically and socially liberal than

5002-519: The American leadership of the UMC. Over 100 churches in Florida and North Carolina had filed or were considering lawsuits. Some of the largest churches in Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas were planning to leave. As of 2022, any church that disaffiliated would be responsible for paying two years of apportionments and unfunded pension liabilities. Fifty-eight churches belonging to

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5124-627: The Anglican Church and the Methodist Episcopal Church was not founded until 1784. Richard Allen and Absalom Jones became the first African Americans ordained by the Methodist Church. They were licensed by Saint George's Church in 1784. Three years later, protesting racial segregation in worship services, Allen led most of the black members out of St. George's; eventually they founded the Mother Bethel A.M.E. Church and

5246-593: The Barna Group report, the failure of mainline Protestants to add substantial numbers of Hispanics is portent for the future, given both the rapid increase of the Hispanic population as well as the outflow of Hispanics from Catholicism to Protestant churches in the past decade, most of whom are selecting evangelical or Pentecostal Protestant churches. In general, however, decline can be a difficult thing to statistically quantify. Many older Protestant churches lived

5368-409: The Bible's earliest historical elements from perceived later additions and intentional distortions. Mainline denominations generally teach that the Bible is God's Word in function, but that it must be interpreted both through the lens of the cultures in which it was originally written, and examined using God-given reason. A 2008 survey conducted by the Pew Research Center found that only 22 percent of

5490-430: The Book of Discipline, that prohibited same-sex unions and the ordination of noncelibate homosexuals. Many progressive UMC leaders and churches, especially in the United States, are supportive of gay marriage and ignored the injunctions in the Book of Discipline. Many conservative members of the UMC did not like the trend of the UMC trending towards endorsing gay marriage and, hence, have initiated movements to split-off from

5612-593: The Church of England, the American Revolution decisively separated the Methodists in the American colonies from the life and sacraments of the English Church. In 1784, after unsuccessful attempts to have the Church of England send a bishop to start a new church in the colonies, Wesley decisively appointed fellow priest Thomas Coke as Superintendent (the equivalent of a bishop ) to organize

5734-762: The Church of England. Though not always emphasized or appreciated in the Anglican churches of their day, their teaching emphasized salvation by God's grace, acquired through faith in Christ. Three teachings they saw as the foundation of Christian faith were: These clergymen quickly became popular, attracting large congregations. The nickname students had used against the Wesleys was revived; they and their followers subsequently became known as Methodists . The English preacher Francis Asbury arrived in America in 1771. He became

5856-810: The Church of the Brethren and Mennonite Church USA, are against abortion. Regarding human sexuality, TEC, the ELCA, PC(USA), Society of Friends (Quaker), UUA, and UCC recognize same-gender marriages. Also considered mainline, the Anglican Church of Canada, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, and United Church of Canada bless or marry same-gender couples. In 2015, the Mennonite Church Canada saw its first same-gender marriage in one of its congregations. The American Baptist Churches USA does not perform same-gender marriages, but allows each congregation

5978-786: The Confessing Movement within the denomination and have organized into the Taskforce of United Methodists on Abortion and Sexuality (TUMAS) to further their position within the denomination. On the other side, the Methodist Federation for Social Action and United Methodist Women continue to represent pro-choice views. Mainline Protestant Mainline Protestant churches have stressed social justice and personal salvation , and both politically and theologically , tend to be more liberal than non-mainline Protestant churches. Mainline Protestant churches share

6100-543: The Episcopal Church (TEC), Presbyterian Church (USA) (PCUSA), Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA), and United Church of Christ (UCC) are members of the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice . The United Methodist Church (UMC) and Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) support exceptions, when abortion may be necessary, but do not endorse the procedure. Other denominations, such as

6222-718: The Episcopal Church met at another nearby Episcopal church. The breakaway group vacated the historic building in December 2011 and began holding services at Independent Presbyterian Church . This was after the Supreme Court of Georgia ruled that the historic building was the property of Christ Church and the Episcopal Diocese of Georgia. The case also ruled that the church held the rights to "Christ Church, Savannah" and "the Mother Church of Georgia", with

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6344-510: The General Conference to occur, some conservative United Methodist congregations left the United Methodist Church to become a part of the Free Methodist Church , a traditionalist Methodist denomination aligned with the holiness movement . After the launch of the Global Methodist Church on May 1, 2022, a number of traditionalist United Methodist churches entered into the Global Methodist Church . Other former United Methodist churches that disaffiliated joined various Methodist denominations , such as

6466-405: The Global Methodist Church would be officially started, with individual churches or conferences able to join, when the General Conference adopted legislation implementing the Protocol, although the Council intended to "consider bringing the new church into existence without delay" "if it becomes apparent" that leaders "who covenanted to support the Protocol no longer do so." Not wanting to wait for

6588-425: The Global Methodist Church, said that 1,000 more churches were expected to hold votes on proposed departures from the UMC later in the year and that 300 of 800 Western Pennsylvania Annual Conference churches were considering leaving. Methodist churches and congregations in Slovakia , Bulgaria , Croatia or Romania also expressed dissent and intentions to disaffiliate from the UMC due to progressive tendencies in

6710-399: The Louisiana Annual Conference left the United Methodist Church, with seven congregations being from Baton Rouge and six from New Orleans. The disaffiliations from the conference were scheduled to take effect after December 31, 2022. St. Timothy, one of the largest Methodist churches in Louisiana, voted for disaffiliation on November 1, 2022. To prevent certain congregations from disaffiliating,

6832-548: The Pew Research Center, mainline churches could claim 14.7 percent of all US adults compared to 25.4 percent who belonged to evangelical churches in 2014. Demographers Hout, Greeley, and Wilde have attributed the long-term decline in mainline membership and the concomitant growth in the conservative Protestant denominations to four basic causes: birth rates; switching to conservative denominations; departure from Protestantism to "no religion" (i.e. secularization); and conversions from non-Protestant sources. In their analysis, by far

6954-577: The Romans , John came to the understanding that his good works could not save him and he could rest in God's grace for salvation. For the first time in his life, he felt peace and the assurance of salvation. In less than two years, the "Holy Club" disbanded. John Wesley met with a group of clergy, and afterwards said "they appeared to be of one heart, as well as of one judgment, resolved to be Bible-Christians at all events; and, wherever they were, to preach with all their might plain, old, Bible Christianity." The ministers nonetheless retained their membership in

7076-429: The Seven Sisters and which provides a core to the wide variety of theological and doctrinal differences, shaping them into a more coherent whole." The Great Awakening ignited controversy within Protestant churches between Old Lights and New Lights (or Old Side and New Side among Presbyterians). Led by figures such as the Congregationalist minister Charles Chauncy , Old Lights opposed the evangelical revivalism at

7198-457: The Seven Sisters mainline groups are not considered mainline: The Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) [13.2 million], Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod (LCMS) [1.8 million], the Churches of Christ and Christian churches [1.1 million each], the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) [0.4 million], the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA) [0.13 million], and the Conservative Congregational Christian Conference (CCCC) [0.04 million]. After

7320-415: The South Georgia and Northwest Texas conferences were making preparations to leave the UMC; however, these proposed transitions would require UMC General conference legislation. Early in 2022, according to the United Methodist News Service, the United Methodist Church approved 300 requests by individual churches to leave the denomination. The Wesleyan Covenant Association, which was helping congregations join

7442-798: The U. S. declined from more than 80,000 churches in the 1950s to about 72,000 in 2008. Robert Drinan estimated that there may have been a hundred million Mainline Protestants at one time in the United States. Various causes of mainline decline in population have been cited. Much analysis has taken place both from those within and outside mainline denominations. Key factors indicate that all types of churches can and do grow, regardless of hymnody or contemporary music, type of liturgy, average age of worshiper, or location On average, however, churches in rural areas, churches with older congregants, and churches with fewer young people involved struggle most to add members and grow churches. For example, of all churches founded since 1993, 54% are experiencing growth, while that

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7564-400: The U.S. population, or nine million adult adherents, identified with the United Methodist Church, revealing a much larger number of adherents than registered members. On January 3, 2020, a group of Methodist leaders proposed a plan to split the United Methodist Church over issues of sexual orientation (particularly same-sex marriage ) and create a new traditionalist Methodist denomination ;

7686-558: The UMC also elected the denomination's first openly gay bishop. Some congregations of the Church of the Brethren have also voted to perform same-gender marriages although the national denomination opposes this practice. Most of the above denominations also ordain openly transgender clergy. While the national church has not approved of gay or lesbian clergy, the UMC has allowed transgender pastors. Politically, mainline churches are also active. While no particular candidate can be endorsed, mainline churches often invite political speakers. At

7808-438: The UMC churches in the United States. The 2024 General Conference, the first since the delayed 2020 conference ran from April 23 to May 3 in Charlotte, North Carolina . With no debate since many of the more conservative congregations had left, proposals approved included having separate regions outside the United States in order to allow each region to have its own policies, removing language stating "the practice of homosexuality

7930-471: The UMC ordered that certain churches be closed before disaffiliation votes could occur. Several annual conferences designated certain remaining congregations as "lighthouse congregations", which offer support to UMC parishioners who objected to their former congregations' disaffiliation. As of December 30, 2023, the number of UMC churches in the United States that were approved for disaffiliation stood at 7,660. This figure represented approximately one-quarter of

8052-519: The UMC. On January 3, 2020, the denomination's leadership released a proposal to split the Church over what it described as "fundamental differences" over homosexuality , particularly same-sex marriage (see § Homosexuality below). The United Methodist Church would hold a special session to repeal the ban on same-sex marriage. The proposal would need to be approved by the General Conference in order to take effect. The 2020 General Conference , originally scheduled to be held in Minneapolis , Minnesota ,

8174-464: The US, including: Historically African American denominations are usually categorized differently from evangelicals or mainline. However, in 2014 the Christian Century identified that these groups "fit the mainline description." Though not listed as mainline in either the Association of Religion Data Archives or the Pew Research classifications, two groups also appeal to this label. Some denominations with similar names and historical ties to

8296-494: The United Methodist Church began in the mid-18th century within the Church of England . A small group of students, including John Wesley, Charles Wesley, and George Whitefield , met at Oxford University . They focused on Bible study, methodical study of scripture, and living a holy life. Other students mocked them, saying they were the " Holy Club " and "the Methodists", being methodical and exceptionally detailed in their Bible study , opinions, and disciplined lifestyle. Eventually,

8418-613: The United Methodist Church is a branch of the Church visible , to which all believers must be connected as it is the only institution wherein the Word of God is preached and the Sacraments are administered. Some argue that the United Methodist Church can lay a claim to apostolic succession , as understood in the traditional sense. As a result of the American Revolution, John Wesley was compelled in 1784 to break with standard practice and ordain two of his lay preachers as presbyters , Thomas Vasey and Richard Whatcoat. Thomas Coke , already an Anglican priest , assisted Wesley in this action. Coke

8540-478: The United States, conflict over biblical inspiration erupted within Protestant churches. Conservative Protestants led by A. A. Hodge , B. B. Warfield and other Princeton theologians argued for biblical inerrancy , while liberal theologians such as Charles A. Briggs of Union Theological Seminary were open to using historical criticism to understand the Bible. As 19th–century evangelicals embraced dispensational premillennialism and retreated from society in

8662-491: The United States. Some also include the highest proportion of those with some college education, such as the Episcopal Church (76%), the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (64%), and the United Church of Christ (46%), as well as most of the American upper class . compared with the nationwide average of 50%. Episcopalians and Presbyterians also tend to be considerably wealthier and better educated than most other religious groups, and they were disproportionately represented in

8784-449: The arts, and education. They were involved in the founding of leading institutes of higher education. Marsden argues that in the 1950s, "Mainline Protestant leaders were part of the liberal-moderate cultural mainstream, and their leading spokespersons were respected participants in the national conversation." Some mainline Protestant denominations have the highest proportion of graduate and post-graduate degrees of any other denomination in

8906-481: The believer of sin . It is in justifying grace we are received by God, in spite of our sin. In this reception, we are forgiven through the atoning work of Jesus Christ on the cross. The justifying grace cancels our guilt and empowers us to resist the power of sin and to fully love God and neighbor. Today, justifying grace is also known as conversion , "accepting Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior," or being " born again ." John Wesley originally called this experience

9028-425: The church was to be operated. In 1844, the General Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church split into two conferences because of tensions over slavery and the power of bishops in the denomination. The two general conferences, Methodist Episcopal Church (the northern faction) and Methodist Episcopal Church, South remained separate until 1939. That year, the northern and southern Methodist Episcopal Churches and

9150-546: The city led to his departure less than two years later. Following Wesley, George Whitefield would become the parish priest starting on December 1738. During his time in the colony, he founded the Bethesda Orphanage near Savannah in 1740. Shortly after Whitefield's tenure, in 1744, the cornerstone for the first permanent building for Christ Church was laid. The building was completed in 1750 and dedicated on July 7 of that year. In 1760, it received what

9272-606: The constituting General Conference in Dallas , Texas . With the words, "Lord of the Church, we are united in Thee, in Thy Church and now in The United Methodist Church" the new denomination was given birth by both churches which had distinguished histories and influential ministries in various parts of the world. Prior to the United Methodist Church's May 2024 General Conference, the UMC had rules, found in

9394-484: The corner of 4th and New Streets, in the Old City neighborhood of Philadelphia , is the oldest Methodist church in continuous use in the United States, beginning in 1769. The congregation was founded in 1767, meeting initially in a sail loft on Dock Street, and in 1769 it purchased the shell of a building which had been erected in 1763 by a German Reformed congregation. At this time, Methodists had not yet broken away from

9516-535: The daily consent agenda with no debate. As an official organization, however, "the General Board of Church and Society continues to be an advocate for a full range of safe and legal reproductive health care – including, in certain cases, the option to safely and legally end a pregnancy." Nevertheless, the United Methodist Church holds that "while we understand the need for women to have access to safe, legal abortions, we also 'mourn and are committed to promoting

9638-571: The decades. Finally, conservative denominations have had a greater inflow of converts. Their analysis gives no support for the notion that theological or social conservatism or liberalism has much impact on long-term growth trends. Evidence from the General Social Survey indicates that higher fertility and earlier childbearing among women from conservative denominations explains 76% of the observed trend: conservative denominations have grown their own. Mainline denomination members have

9760-520: The diminishment of high abortion rates'." and they "are equally bound to respect the sacredness of the life and well-being of the mother, for whom devastating damage may result from an unacceptable pregnancy. In continuity with past Christian teaching, we recognize tragic conflicts of life with life that may justify abortion, (in the eyes of God) and in such cases we support the legal option of abortion under proper medical procedures." The Church cautions that "Governmental laws and regulations do not provide all

9882-585: The extent to which the growth or decline of American congregations was captive to the demographic changes going on in their immediate neighborhoods." Age demographics cannot be overlooked as a real factor in congregational decline, with the birthrate for mainline Protestants well below what is needed to maintain membership numbers. The Barna Group , an Evangelical surveyor, has noted, Protestant pastors who serve mainline churches serve on average half as long as Protestant pastors in non-mainline churches. This may contribute to decline and may be influenced in part by

10004-413: The face of mounting social problems caused by industrialization, urbanization and immigration, liberal Protestants embraced the Social Gospel , which worked for the "regeneration of society" rather than only the conversion of individuals. The Fundamentalist–Modernist Controversy of the 1920s widened the division between evangelical and non-evangelical Protestants as the two sides fought for control over

10126-578: The faith of the German Moravians on board, and when he returned to England he spent time with Peter Böhler, a German Moravian who was passing through England and who believed that a person is saved solely through the grace of God and not by works. John had many conversations with Böhler about this topic. On May 25, 1738, after listening to a reading of Martin Luther 's preface to the Epistle to

10248-586: The freedom to decide for itself. Including the aforementioned denominations, the Mennonite Church USA, Metropolitan Community Church, and Moravian Church Northern Province license or ordain openly gay clergy. While the UMC does not nationally ordain gay or lesbian clergy, the New York Annual Conference, a regional body of the UMC, has ordained the denomination's first openly gay and lesbian clergy. The Western Jurisdiction of

10370-436: The guidance required by the informed Christian conscience." The Church emphasizes the need of a supportive ministry to women who have experienced abortions: "We further encourage local churches to make available contact information for counseling agencies that offer programs to address post-abortion stress for all seeking help." Members of the United Methodist Church who identify with the anti-abortion position come mostly from

10492-546: The heart of the Awakening, while New Lights, led by fellow Congregationalist minister Jonathan Edwards , supported the revivals and argued for the importance of having a conversion experience. By the 1800s, Chauncy's followers had drifted toward forms of theological liberalism, such as Universalism , Unitarianism and Transcendentalism . The Second Great Awakening would inaugurate a period of evangelical dominance within American mainline Protestantism that would last over

10614-642: The historic ecumenical creeds , the Apostles' Creed and the Nicene Creed ; which are used frequently in services of worship . The Book of Discipline also recognizes the importance of the Chalcedonian Creed of the Council of Chalcedon . It upholds the concept of the "visible and invisible Church," meaning that all who are truly believers in every age belong to the holy Church invisible , while

10736-497: The individual. Wesley defined the Way of Salvation as the operation of grace in at least three parts: Prevenient Grace , Justifying Grace , and Sanctifying Grace . Prevenient grace , or the grace that "goes before" us, is given to all people. It is that power which enables us to love and motivates us to seek a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. This grace is the present work of God to turn us from our sin-corrupted human will to

10858-511: The late twentieth century. The term mainstream Christian in academic usage is not equivalent to mainline Protestant and is often used as an attempt to find impartial sociological vocabulary in distinguishing orthodoxy and heresy . Hence in Christological and doctrinal reference mainstream Christianity is often equivalent to Trinitarianism . Mainline Protestantism should not be confused with Nicene Christianity which

10980-601: The late twentieth century. The term mainline Protestant was coined during debates between modernists and fundamentalists in the 1920s . Several sources claim that the term is derived from the Philadelphia Main Line , a group of affluent suburbs of Philadelphia; most residents belonged to mainline denominations. Today, most mainline Protestants remain rooted in the Northeastern and Midwestern United States. C. Kirk Hadaway and Penny Long Marler define

11102-681: The left of historically conservative evangelical traditions such as the Southern Baptists and Pentecostalism , in regard to theological matters such as social justice and Biblical interpretation. The UMC is made up of a broad diversity of thought, and so there are many clergy and laity within the UMC that hold differing viewpoints on such theological matters. In appealing for tolerance of diversity of theological opinions, John Wesley said, "Though we may not think alike, may we not all love alike?" The phrase "In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, charity" has also become

11224-482: The loving will of the Father. In this work, God desires that we might sense both our sinfulness before God and God's offer of salvation. Prevenient grace allows those tainted by sin to nevertheless make a truly free choice to accept or reject God's salvation in Christ. Justifying Grace or Accepting Grace is that grace, offered by God to all people, that we receive by faith and trust in Christ, through which God pardons

11346-560: The lowest birthrate among American Christian groups. Unless there is a surge of new members, rising death rates are predicted to diminish their ranks even further in the years ahead. Some other findings of the Barna Group: Recent statistics from the Pew Forum provide additional explanations for the decline. Not paralleling the decline in membership is the household income of members of mainline denominations. Overall, it

11468-408: The main cause is birth rates—low for the mainline bodies, and high for the conservatives. The second most important factor is that fewer conservatives switch to mainline denominations than before. Despite speculation to the contrary, Hout, Greeley, and Wilde argue that switching from a mainline to a conservative denomination is not important in accounting for the trend, because it is fairly constant over

11590-487: The mainline churches claimed most Protestants and more than 30 percent of the population as members, today they are a minority among Protestants; in 2009, only 15 percent of Americans were adherents. A Pew Forum statistic revealed the same share in 2014. Christ Church (Savannah, Georgia) Christ Church is an Episcopal church at 28 Bull Street , Johnson Square , in Savannah, Georgia . Founded in 1733, it

11712-419: The mainline churches. This neo-orthodox consensus, however, gave way to resurgent liberal theologies in the 1960s and to liberation theology during the 1970s. Mainline Protestants were a majority of Protestants in the United States until the mid-20th century. A dip in membership across all Christian denominations was more pronounced among mainline groups, with the result that mainline groups no longer comprise

11834-493: The mainline denominations. The fundamentalists lost these battles for control to the modernists or liberals. Since the 1920s, mainline churches have been associated with liberal Protestantism. Episcopalians and Presbyterian WASPs tend to be considerably wealthier and better educated than most other religious groups in America, and are disproportionately represented in the upper reaches of American business , law and politics, and for many years were especially dominant in

11956-522: The majority of the Methodist Protestant Church merged to create The Methodist Church . The uniting conference took place at First Methodist Church (now First United Methodist Church) of Marion, Indiana . On April 23, 1968, the United Methodist Church was created when the Evangelical United Brethren Church (represented by Bishop Reuben H. Mueller) and The Methodist Church (represented by Bishop Lloyd Christ Wicke ) joined hands at

12078-499: The majority. In 2020, Public Religion Research Institute conducted a religious census, based on self-identification, finding that an estimated 16% of U.S. Americans identified as non-Hispanic white mainline Protestants, slightly outnumbering non-Hispanic white evangelical Protestants who were 14% of the American population. In 2014, Pew Research completed and published the Religious Landscape Survey in which it

12200-488: The more than 220 years since 1784, Methodism in the United States, like many other Protestant denominations, has seen a number of divisions and mergers. In 1830, the Methodist Protestant Church split from the Methodist Episcopal Church over the issue of laity having a voice and vote in the administration of the church, insisting that clergy should not be the only ones to have any determination in how

12322-576: The new colony, most notably John Wesley , who served in the city from February 1736 to December of the following year. While there, Wesley founded one of the first Sunday schools in the United States and held services at his house (which he would later cite as being an important moment in the creation of the Methodist movement ), but difficulties in evangelizing the Native Americans in the region and friction between Wesley and residents of

12444-593: The newly chartered Province of Georgia . Henry Herbert, a priest in the Church of England , was with them, establishing a mission in the city under the auspices of the Bishop of London . While a lot for a church building had been plotted by James Oglethorpe , the first services for the parish were open air and, after its construction in 1736, held in the city's courthouse . Following Herbert's departure from Georgia in late 1733, several missionaries would serve in

12566-516: The overall membership of the mainline churches. This gap has caused feelings of alienation among conservative mainline Protestants. This dissatisfaction has led to the formation of various Confessing Movements or charismatic renewal movements which are more conservative in tone. The mainline denominations emphasize the biblical concept of justice, stressing the need for Christians to work for social justice , which usually involve politically liberal approaches to social and economic problems. Early in

12688-555: The political preferences of US adult members of the United Methodist Church was 54 percent Republican / lean Republican, 35 percent Democrat / lean Democrat, and 11 percent independent / no lean / other. The topic of abortion is complex for the United Methodist Church. The United Methodist Church affirms these two sentences in The Social Principles: "Our belief in the sanctity of unborn human life makes us reluctant to approve abortion. But we are equally bound to respect

12810-621: The power of the Holy Spirit . The flame in the church logo represents the work of the Holy Spirit in the world, and the two parts of the flame also represent the predecessor denominations, the Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren, united at the base symbolizing the 1968 merger. The United Methodist Church understands itself to be part of the holy catholic (or universal) church and it recognizes

12932-423: The recent split of the UMC, the Global Methodist Church (GMC) could be added to this list, though no official census is currently known. Since these groups are too theologically conservative to be considered mainline, those strictly adhering to historical rules of faith are grouped as confessional , while those without are grouped as evangelical . *The National Association of Congregational Christian Churches

13054-635: The sacredness of the life and well-being of the mother and the unborn child." (Book of Discipline ¶161.J). The denomination is committed to "assist[ing] the ministry of crisis pregnancy centers and pregnancy resource centers that compassionately help women find feasible alternatives to abortion." In 2016, the United Methodist General Conference voted to withdraw from the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice (RCRC), an organization in which it formerly held membership. Annual Conferences could still choose whether to remain

13176-578: The so-called Methodists started individual societies or classes for members of the Church of England who wanted to live a more religious life. In 1735, John and Charles Wesley went to America, hoping to teach the gospel to the Native Americans in the colony of Georgia . Instead, John became vicar of Christ Church in Savannah . His preaching was legalistic and full of harsh rules, and the congregation rejected him. After two years in America, he returned to England dejected and confused. While sailing on his original journey to America, he had been impressed with

13298-572: The succession of bishops in the Church of Alexandria was preserved through ordination by presbyters alone and was considered valid by the Early Church . Methodists today who would argue for apostolic succession would do so on these grounds. While many United Methodist congregations operate in the evangelical tradition, others reflect the mainline Protestant traditions. Although United Methodist practices and interpretation of beliefs have evolved over time, these practices and beliefs can be traced to

13420-520: The term as follows: "the term 'mainline Protestant' is used along with 'mainstream Protestant' and 'oldline Protestant' to categorize denominations that are affiliated with the National Council of Churches and have deep historical roots in and long-standing influence on American society." In the US, Protestantism is generally divided between mainline denominations and evangelical or theologically conservative denominations. In other parts of

13542-622: The three original parishes of the Episcopal Diocese of Georgia , along with Christ Church on St. Simon's Island and Saint Paul's Church in Augusta, Georgia . On February 26, 1838, construction began on a new building at the same location, which stands today as the current church building. This building, located on Johnson Square in the Savannah Historic District , was designed by James Hamilton Couper ,

13664-603: The upper reaches of US business and law until the 1950s. In the 1990s four of the US Supreme Court Justices were Mainline Protestants: Sandra Day O'Connor , John Paul Stevens , William Rehnquist and David Souter . From 1854 until at least 1964, Mainline Protestants and their descendants were heavily Republican . In recent decades, Republicans slightly outnumber Democrats. From 1965 to 1988, mainline church membership declined from 31 million to 25 million, then fell to 21 million in 2005. While in 1970

13786-480: The work of the Holy Spirit to bring holiness into the life of the participating believer. The United Methodist Church believes in prima scriptura , seeing the Bible as the primary authority in the Church and using sacred tradition , reason , and experience to interpret it, with the aid of the Holy Spirit (see Wesleyan Quadrilateral ). Therefore, according to The Book of Discipline , United Methodist theology

13908-482: The world, the term mainline Protestant is not used. Instead, the term " ecumenical " is used to distinguish similar churches from evangelical denominations. Some have criticized the term mainline for its alleged White Anglo-Saxon Protestant ethnocentric and elitist assumptions, and its erroneous association with the term "mainstream" since it almost exclusively described White American , non- fundamentalist and non- evangelical Protestant Americans from its origin to

14030-475: The writings of the church's founders, especially John Wesley and Charles Wesley (Anglicans), but also Philip William Otterbein and Martin Boehm (United Brethren), and Jacob Albright (Evangelical Association). With the formation of the United Methodist Church in 1968, theologian Albert C. Outler led the team which systematized denominational doctrine. Outler's work proved pivotal in the work of union, and he

14152-502: The young country as it employed circuit riders , many of whom were laymen , to travel the mostly rural nation by horseback to preach the Gospel and to establish churches until there was scarcely any village in the United States without a Methodist presence. With 4,000 circuit riders by 1844, the Methodist Episcopal Church rapidly became the largest Protestant denomination in the country. St. George's United Methodist Church , located at

14274-456: Was consecrated bishop at Christ Church. In 2006, the church underwent a schism regarding the Episcopal Church's stance on homosexuality . In March 2006, a majority of the congregation of Christ Church voted to break ties with the Episcopal Church. Following a September 2007 vote to leave the Episcopal Diocese of Georgia, this breakaway group continued to hold service at the historic church building while parishioners who wished to remain with

14396-442: Was estimated that 14.7% of Americans identified as mainline Protestant, excluding historically Black and African American denominations, while 25.4% identified as evangelical Protestants, also excluding membership in historically Black denominations. Mainline churches share an active approach to social issues that often leads to cooperation in organizations such as the National Council of Churches . Because of their involvement with

14518-456: Was possibly the first organ in the province. The building was later expanded in 1765. This original church building burned down in 1796, with construction on a new building, designed by Adrian Boucher , starting in 1801 and ending in 1806. This rebuilt building was consecrated by Bishop Theodore Dehon of South Carolina on April 26, 1815, in what was the first visit of a bishop to Georgia. On February 24, 1823, Christ Church became one of

14640-738: Was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic . In November 2020, a small group of the progressive wing announced their intention to create a new denomination, the Liberation Methodist Connexion . It was launched on the First Sunday in Advent through an online service. However, organizers of the Liberation Methodist Connexion announced on 18 December 2021 that no progress has been made to set up

14762-460: Was the first church established in the Province of Georgia and one of the first parishes within the Episcopal Diocese of Georgia , earning it the nickname "the Mother Church of Georgia ". The present church building was constructed in 1838 and is located in the Savannah Historic District . On February 12, 1733, colonists from England established the city of Savannah as the first city in

14884-435: Was then "set apart" as a Superintendent (bishop) by Wesley and dispatched with Vasey and Whatcoat to America to take charge of Methodist activities there. In defense of his action to ordain, Wesley himself cited an ancient opinion from the Church of Alexandria , which held that bishops and presbyters constituted one order and therefore, bishops are to be elected from and by the presbyterate . He knew that for two centuries

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