STRUCTURES OF THE METHODIST CHURCH

STRUCTURES OF THE METHODIST CHURCH

The Methodist Church comprises about 5 000 local churches in approximately 640 Circuits in 12 Districts comprising South Africa, Mozambique, Botswana, Swaziland, Namibia and Lesotho. We have developing relationships with Methodist communities in Malawi, Tanzania and Angola.

The Class / Cell Group

The class is the basic pastoral unit of the Methodist Church. Members ought to be allocated to a class, cell or group under the care of a pastoral leader. The classes were, and in some cases still are, the principal meetings in the local church for fellowship and mutual encouragement and growth in the faith.

The Society

A Society (local church) is the whole body of members of the Methodist Church linked with one particular place of worship.

The Society exists to exercise the whole ministry of Christ. Worship, evangelism, learning and caring, and service are essential features of that ministry. The Leaders Meeting has responsibility for the co-ordination of that ministry. The Local Trust Committees are appointed to manage the local church buildings on behalf of the Presiding Bishop, in whom all Methodist property is vested.

Church members belong to the Leaders Meeting, some because they have been elected by the members at an Annual Society Meeting and some because they hold one of a number of offices within the Society.

For people who wish to become members of the Methodist Church, there is a period of training and, once the leaders meeting is satisfied with the person's sincere acceptance of the basis of membership of the Methodist Church, a service of confirmation and reception into membership is held. If they have not previously been baptised, the service will include baptism.

The Laws and Discipline expresses it in these words: "All persons are welcome into membership who sincerely desire to be saved from their sins through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and show the same in life and conduct, and who seek to have communion with Christ Himself and His people by taking up the duties and privileges of the Methodist Church.

The Circuit

The Circuit is the primary unit for the administration of local Methodists and serves as a network in which Societies express and experience their inter-connexion for the purposes of mission, mutual encouragement and help. It is formed from Societies in a defined area. A number of Circuits make up a District.

The responsibilities of the Circuit are exercised through the Circuit Quarterly Meeting. Its task is to combine spiritual leadership with administrative efficiency to help the Circuit fulfill its purpose.

Church members belong to the Circuit Quarterly Meeting, some because they have been appointed by the Leader's Meetings in the Circuit, and some because they hold one of a number of offices within the Circuit or in its Societies.

The purpose of the Circuit is to use effectively the resources of ministry, which include people, property and finance. It acts as the focal point for the fellowship of the Societies, looking after their pastoral care, training and evangelistic work.

The District

Circuits are grouped together to form Districts. For each of the 12 Districts there is a Bishop whose task is to lead the ministers, deacons and lay people in the work of preaching and worship, evangelism, pastoral care, teaching and administration. Each District has a Synod. Its purpose is to decide policy for the District and to be the link between the Conference and Connexional offices of the Church on the one hand and the Circuits and Societies on the other. The Synod includes all ministers, deacons and probationer ministers and deacons in the District, together with church members, some because they are Circuit Stewards, some elected by the Circuit Quarterly Meetings, and some because they hold office in the District.

The Conference

The Conference, which meets annually, is the Church's governing authority and supreme legislative body. It is the sole and final authority in respect of the doctrines of the Church and their interpretation.

The Connexion

This is the term used to describe the Methodist Church linked together through Societies, Circuits and Districts. These form the Connexion.

The Connexional Executive

The Connexional Executive meets annually to administer the connexion, under the direction and delegated authority of Conference, attending to matters such as budgets, financial reports, stationing of ministers and personnel matters. It is mandated to ensure that the church is properly managed in terms of the operational requirements that any organization must deal with in order to be faithful and fruitful.

Committees

In every part of the Church there are committees, appointed in different ways, with the task to help develop and implement policy both nationally and locally.

Units

The Church has a number of connexional agencies that have been established to co-ordinate work in a number of areas that relate to the whole church. Each is led by a Unit Director appointed by the Connexional Executive.