As pastor in a mainline congregation, I recognize that there are different types of relationships between local congregations, pastors, annual conferences and the denomination. There has been some comments in two previous posts (Granger Community Church and Where is the United Methodist Church going in the next 25 to 30 years?) about this subject and I want to address this issue more fully. In this post, I hope to clarify a few of my thoughts on the subject and get your additions and responses. I will speak out of my context within the United Methodist Church, but I think that these categories may apply to any congregation that is part of a denomination.
Here are what I see to be some levels of relationship and support between a local congregation, pastor and the United Methodist Church as a denomination:
- Name – A local congregation may or may not use part or all of “The United Methodist Church” in their name.
- Branding – The cross and flame may or may not be incorporated into website, signage, etc at a local church.
- Financial -A local church may or may not pay their share to support the ministry of the denomination, annual conference and other agencies. This is most often the apportionment responsibilities of the local church.
- Preaching and Teaching – A Wesleyan understanding of faith may or may not be taught within a particular local congregation.
- Pride / resent – A local congregation may be proud or resentful of their connection with the denomination. I see this as a spectrum along which any particular congregation may exist.
- Way of Faith- Local congregations and leaders may place different levels of importance on living one’s faith in a Wesleyan or Methodist way.
What am I missing? What would you add to this list? What would you subtract? I will use this post and your comments to more fully respond to some of these issues in future posts. Thanks for your thoughts!
Rev. Andrew Conard 