Replies

Methodist bishops mostly just move preachers around every two years. I think they still confirm the kids, but it's just not a big deal. They waffle on infant baptism as well. Do you know if they still communicate just once a month? Last I heard that's all they did.

Methodists aren't "marginally" but mainline Protestant, along with the Presbyterians. The Baptists of course are further along the continuum, but they always have been.

I know this is an older thread, but I just now saw this and wanted to make a few remarks. I am an ordained United Methodist minister. Methodist bishops mostly just move preachers around every two years.

Methodist Bishops do far more than move clergy around: Bishops are responsible for the spiritual lives of their clergy, for ensuring they are properly trained, and for ordaining them (for, in the UMC, only a Bishop may ordain). Bishops have many other duties, including presidential and teaching authority.

As for clergy tenures, we tend to stay longer than 2 years. In my Conference the average stay is now about 6 years.

I think they still confirm the kids, but it's just not a big deal. They waffle on infant baptism as well.

What in the world are you reading that would lead you to think such is the case? The UMC is hardly "waffling" on Infant Baptism. Quite the contrary, in fact. As for confirmation, it is a very "big deal." Perhaps you're thinking about the UMC of the 1940s or 1950s??

Do you know if they still communicate just once a month? Last I heard that's all they did.

Frequency of partaking in Holy Communion will depend upon the congregation. Many celebrate the Eucharist only once a month, but many others offer Communion more frequently. For example, in my congregation the Sacrament of Holy Communion is celebrated in the mornings on the 1st and 3rd Sundays, and in the evenings on the 2nd and 4th Sundays.