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.

Laity

There are two classes of lay membership in the UMC: Baptized Members and Professing Members.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The UMC practices infant baptism. Baptized Members are those who have been baptized as an infant or child, but who have not subsequently professed their own faith. Baptized Members become Professing Members through confirmation and profession of faith. New members who were not previously baptized are baptized as part of their profession of faith, becoming Professing Members.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Baptism is a sacrament in the UMC, but confirmation and profession of faith are not.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The lay members of the church are extremely important in the UMC. The Professing Members are part of all major decisions in the church. General, Jurisdictional, Central, and Annual Conferences are all required to have an equal number of laity and clergy.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In a local church, all decisions are made by an administrative board or council. This council is made up of laity representing various other organizations within the local church. The elder or local pastor sits on the council but only as a non-voting member.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~