United Methodist Church

The United Methodist Church is the largest Methodist, and the second-largest Protestant, denomination in the United States. In 2004 worldwide membership was about 11 million members: 8.6 million in the United States, 2.4 million in Africa, Asia and Europe.

Ecumenical relations

According to the United Methodist Book of Discipline, the United Methodist Church is just one branch of the universal Christian church. Therefore, the United Methodist Church is active in ecumenical relations with other denominations. It is a member of both the National Council of Churches and the World Council of Churches as well as Churches Uniting in Christ.

Related Topics:
Ecumenical - National Council of Churches - World Council of Churches - Churches Uniting in Christ

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In April 2005, the United Methodist Council of Bishops approved "A Proposal for Interim Eucharistic Sharing." This document is the first step toward full communion with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, which the UMC bishops hope will happen by 2008. The ELCA approved this same document in August 2005. http://www.elca.org/ecumenical/ecumenicaldialogue/unitedmethodist/index.html The church is also in dialogue with the Episcopal Church for full communion by 2012. http://www.umc.org/interior.asp?ptid=1&mid=7664

Related Topics:
Full communion - Evangelical Lutheran Church in America - 2008 - Episcopal Church - 2012

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~