The Method of Our Mission: United Methodist Polity & Organization

by Laceye C. Warner

Theology shapes who we are and how we organize to transform the world. Especially written for required United Methodist classes, this accessible book uses a Wesleyan theological frame—connection—to help readers understand United Methodism’s polity and organization as the interrelationship of our beliefs, mission, and practice. The book is organized into four parts—United Methodist beliefs, mission, practice, and organization. Polity and organization are primary embodiments of The United Methodist Church. Functional in nature, these aspects of the denomination facilitate our mission to make disciples for the transformation of the world. This book connects denominational governance and organization to our beliefs as well as our mission. A clear understanding of our identity—as Methodists with Wesleyan roots in connection—and our purpose—to make disciples for the transformation of the world—can help students of United Methodism navigate this treacherous landscape as present and future leaders. Warner also addresses the estrangement between theology and institutional structures and practice by framing governance practices and organizational structure within a Wesleyan theology of connection. This approach will assist current and future denominational leaders in understanding their practices of administration and participation in polity as a theological endeavor and key component of their ministries.

This textbook has been updated with changes from the 2016 General Conference.

Genres: Religion, Theology, Church, Nonfiction

288 pages, Paperback

First published July 15, 2014

Reviews

[Richard Jr. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Highly informative for United Methodists seeking to understand how the denomination is supposed to function. It does fall short of being understood by many lay people due to its reliance on terms that aren't generally recognized even by members of the denomination itself.

[Dayton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is EASY to read and HARD to read. It’s actually the subject matter that makes it harder to read: the process used by The United Methodist Church to run a world wide church denomination. How is the church organized? What are the beliefs the church says it believes? Who (& how) do people become church members, local church leaders, pastors, superintendents, missionaries, deacons, and bishops? And what are their duties and the rules they have to follow? (And the list is long!! We United Methodists are known as being “methodical!”)

Moment of transparency here… I didn’t choose to read this book. Rather, this was the prescribed course textbook for a United Methodist Lay Servant class on UM POLITY that I taught this Spring. (Required by the United Methodist Agency that establishes certification standards for official UM Lay Servants.)

BY THE WAY, in church vocabulary, someone called a LAY person (or described as LAITY) just means they aren’t preachers, pastors, or clergy. They’re the NORMAL people!

I used this book as the “homework” reading for the class and then in class we focused in on specific aspects of being a lay person in the church (local or worldwide) that would help these lay people in their specific roles. This book was great for that “prep” before class! It really is an easier text to read (especially when compared to denominational rule books!!!)

I especially liked the charts in the back and the glossary of UM terms and abbreviations!

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had to read this for a lay servant class I’m taking and I have to say it was a slog. I was glad I bought the Kindle edition because the author never used a small word when a more specific (& often not as recognizable) religious word was available. Luckily the Kindle has its marvelous built in dictionary which was an immense help. I’m hoping my class is much more interesting.

[Bridget · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was very easy to read and that is great. It can be very difficult to read about church organization.

However, I am still a bit confused. It definitely cleared up some things about the way the UMC is organized, though.

[Marc Daly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Warner provides a thorough description of the development and organization of the United Methodist Church. The book shares the history and development of the different resources used to govern the church.

[Vicki Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Intended audience seems to be seminary students. The book started out being pretty hard to read. It got better with time. I learned at about the complexity of the United Methodist Church organization.

[Jackie Machardy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thorough and clear, but whoa, those run on sentences!

[Diane Peterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent explanation of the structure of the United Methodist Church. This would probably be of interest only to involved church members.

[Lydia Gates · Rating 2 out of 5]

Got a little overbearing. I read this for a United Methodist Lay Servant training. It was a little too much to handle at times. Love the quotes by the Wesley's.

[Amy Wendland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Historical & Informative

This is essential reading for anyone who wants to be a leader in the Methodist Church. A great summary of all items important from The Book of Discipline.

[Gail Burgess · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this for a class I will be taking. Interesting history and explanations.

[Megan Stout · Rating 2 out of 5]

The author tries to show her intelligence by using terminology that a lay person would not understand. It is NOT an easy read. A lay person will spend a lot of time looking up words to try to comprehend what the author is trying to say. I’m guessing she wrote this as her college thesis. If you want to understand how the United Methodist Church operates, find another book.