Frequently Used in The United Methodist Church
Quick Reference
AC Annual Conference • A/C Appointment/Charge • ADCA Advance Edition of The Daily Christian Advocate • BOD/BoD Book of Discipline • BOM/BOOM Board of Ordained Ministry • CABINET Bishop + District Superintendents • CC Charge/Church Conference • CCFA Conference Council on Finance & Administration • CCM Connectional Congregational Mission • CDM Conference Director of Ministries • CLM Certified Lay Minister • CLS/LSM Certified Lay Servant/Lay Servant Ministries • COB Council of Bishops • COE Committee on Episcopacy • CP Candidacy Process • CT Connectional Table • DCA The Daily Christian Advocate • DCOM District Committee on Ordained Ministry • DS District Superintendent • EF Episcopal Fund • EP Extension (Appointment) • GBGM General Board of Global Ministries • GBCS General Board of Church & Society • GBHEMGeneral Board of Higher Education & Ministry • GC General Conference • GCAH General Commission on Archives & History • GCFA General Council on Finance & Administration • GCF General Church Funds • GCSRW General Commission on the Status & Role of Women • GCORR General Commission on Religion & Race • JCD Judicial Council Decision • JCM Judicial Council Memorandum • JC Judicial Council • JFON Justice for Our Neighbors (UMC-affiliated) • JtR Just Resolution • JURCONF Jurisdictional (Conference) • LB Laity Board/Board of Laity • LP Licensed Local Pastor • MEF Ministerial Education Fund • MFSA Methodist Federation for Social Action • MM Missionary/Mission • PPRC/SPRC(Staff‑)Parish Relations Committee • PM Provisional Member • TMP Transitional Membership/Leave • T&F Trustees & Finance • UCP Union Church/Cooperative Parish (context‑dependent) • UMC The United Methodist Church • UMCOR United Methodist Committee on Relief • UMD United Methodist Discipleship (Discipleship Ministries) • UMF United Methodist Foundation (generic) • UMM United Methodist Men • UMPH United Methodist Publishing House • UMVIM United Methodist Volunteers in Mission • UWFUnited Women in Faith (formerly UMW) • WCA Wesleyan Covenant Association (independent) • Wespath General Board of Pension and Health Benefits
A
Abeyance – A temporary holding status (often for complaints) where no immediate action is taken while conditions or processes unfold. See also: Complaint; Supervisory Response; Just Resolution.
Accountable Discipleship – A Wesleyan practice of mutual support and discipline toward holiness and mission, often expressed through class meetings, bands, and small groups. See also: Connectionalism; General Rules.
Annual Conference (AC) – The basic body in the connection composed of clergy members and lay members from local churches within its boundaries; meets annually for worship, legislation, and oversight of ministry. See also: Jurisdictional Conference; Central Conference; Bishop; Cabinet.
Advance (The) – Designated‑giving channel of the UMC enabling 100% pass‑through support for approved mission projects and missionaries. See also: General Board of Global Ministries (GBGM); United Methodist Commission on Relief (UMCOR); Apportionments.
Adaptation – Authorization for certain bodies (e.g., Central Conferences; regional structures) to adapt portions of church law for missional context, within constitutional limits. See also: Constitution; General Conference; Regionalization.
Administrative Board / Church Council – The primary governing body of a local church, coordinating mission, administration, and vision. Terminology varies by era and conference.
Apportionments – Shared financial askings assigned to local churches to fund conference and general church ministries (e.g., World Service, Episcopal Fund). See also: Connectional Giving; GCFA; CCFA.
Appointment – The setting of clergy to a specific ministry context by the bishop in consultation with the Cabinet and SPRC. See also: Itinerancy; Consultation; Cabinet; District Superintendent.
Associate Member – A clergy membership category in an annual conference for certain clergy with specific rights and limitations distinct from full connection and local pastors.
Articles of Religion / Confession of Faith – Doctrinal standards of the UMC (from Methodist Episcopal Church and Evangelical United Brethren heritage). See also: Doctrinal Standards; General Rules; Quadrilateral.
B
Band Meeting – A historic Wesleyan small group emphasizing confession, holiness, and mutual accountability. See also: Class Meeting; Accountable Discipleship.
Baptismal Covenant – The liturgical and theological framework expressing initiation into the Church and the vows of renunciation, profession, and nurture. See also: Membership; Sacraments.
Bishop – An elder elected to the episcopacy who oversees an episcopal area, appoints clergy, and provides spiritual and temporal leadership. See also: Council of Bishops (COB); Cabinet; Episcopacy; Episcopal Area.
Book of Discipline (BoD/BOD) – The governing law and polity book of the UMC, updated by General Conference; contains Constitution, doctrinal standards, and legislation. See also: Book of Resolutions; Judicial Council; ¶ symbol.
Book of Resolutions (BoR) – Compendium of official policy statements and resolutions on social issues and church life adopted by General Conference; persuasive but not church law. See also: Social Principles; BoD.
Board of Ordained Ministry (BOM / BOOM) – Conference body that guides vocational discernment, sets standards (within BoD), examines candidates, and recommends for licensing/ordination/membership. See also: DCOM; GBHEM; Orders.
Book of Reports / Pre‑Conference Reports – Annual compilation of reports, proposed budgets, statistics, and legislation for the Annual Conference session.
Budget, Conference/General – Financial plans adopted by annual conferences and General Conference through their finance bodies to fund mission and administration. See also: CCFA; GCFA; Apportionments.
C
Cabinet – The bishop and district superintendents who together supervise clergy and congregations, and manage the appointment process. See also: District Superintendent; Bishop; Appointment; Consultation.
Call to Ministry (Candidacy) – The discernment, mentoring, and assessment process for persons exploring licensed or ordained ministry. See also: Candidacy Mentor; DCOM; BOM; GBHEM.
Candidacy Mentor – A trained clergy/lay mentor who accompanies candidates through the discernment and application steps toward licensing/ordination.
CCFA (Conference Council on Finance & Administration) – Conference body that stewards budgets, apportionments, audits, legal compliance, and fiduciary oversight. See also: GCFA; Trustees; Apportionments.
Central Conference – Regional body of the UMC outside the United States that may adapt the BoD for missional context within constitutional bounds. See also: Jurisdictional Conference; General Conference; Adaptation.
Charge – One or more congregations served by a single appointed pastor or pastoral team. See also: Charge Conference; Cooperative Parish.
Charge Conference – The basic governing body of a charge that meets at least annually to receive reports, set salaries, elect leaders, and recommend candidates. See also: Church Conference; SPRC; Trustees; Finance.
Church Conference – A congregation‑wide meeting (all professing members may vote) convened for significant decisions; may be called in place of a Charge Conference. See also: Charge Conference.
CLM (Certified Lay Minister) – Laity trained and assigned to provide pastoral leadership (often part‑time) under the supervision of a clergyperson and DS. See also: Lay Servant Ministries; Appointment; District Superintendent.
CLS / LSM (Certified Lay Servant / Lay Servant Ministries) – Laity certified for leadership in teaching, speaking, and service following required training. See also: Lay Speaker; CLM.
COB (Council of Bishops) – All active and retired bishops who provide leadership, ecumenical representation, and collegial oversight across the connection. See also: Bishop; Judicial Council (for questions of law); General Conference.
Commission on a Way Forward (COWF) – Commission (2016–2019) that proposed options to address the denomination’s impasse on human sexuality.
Committee on Nominations & Leadership Development – Local church group that identifies, develops, and nominates leaders for election by the Charge/Church Conference. See also: Church Council; Lay Leader.
Complaint – A written and signed statement alleging violations of church law or standards by a member of the clergy or professing member; triggers supervisory response. See also: Supervisory Response; Just Resolution; Church Trial.
Confessing / Professing Member – A baptized person who has taken the vows of profession and is recorded as a professing (voting) member of a local church. See also: Baptismal Covenant; Membership.
Connectionalism – The theological and structural principle that United Methodists are bound in mutual accountability and shared mission through conferences and covenants. See also: Apportionments; Itinerancy; General Conference.
Connectional Table (CT) – General‑church body that discerns and coordinates the mission, budget, and programmatic alignment of the general agencies. See also: GCFA; GBCS; Discipleship Ministries.
Consultation (in Appointments) – Required conversations between bishop/DS and SPRC/clergy to inform appointments; not a veto or consent right. See also: Appointment; Staff-Pastor-Parish-Relations Committee; Cabinet.
Cooperative Parish – Two or more congregations sharing clergy and ministries to extend mission. See also: Charge; Parish; Yoked Parish.
Council on Finance & Administration (GCFA) – See GCFA.
Court of Review – Body that reviews certain actions/appeals in the judicial process for clergy status cases (orders/membership). See also: Appeals; Judicial Council.
Covenant (Wesleyan) – The mutual commitments of discipleship and accountability in societies, classes, bands, and the larger connection. See also: General Rules; Connectionalism.
CP (Candidacy Process) – See Call to Ministry.
D
District Committee on Ordained Ministry (DCOM/dCOM) – District‑level body that mentors and examines candidates for ministry before referral to the conference BOM. See also: Board of Ordained Ministry; General Board of Higher Education and Ministry; Candidacy.
Deacon – Ordained clergyperson called to word, service, compassion, and justice; leads ministries connecting church and world; sacramental functions by bishop’s extension when appropriate. See also: Elder; Orders; Sacraments; Appointment.
Delegate – Elected laity/clergy representative to General, Jurisdictional, or Annual Conference with voice and vote. See also: Elections; Representation; Reserve Delegates.
Disaffiliation – Process by which a local church separates from the UMC under specified terms; implicates property, pension liabilities, and connectional relationships. See also: Trust Clause; ¶2553 (where applicable); Readmission.
Discipline (Book of) – See BoD.
Discipleship Ministries (DM) – General agency (formerly GBOD) supporting worship, discipleship, and leadership resources, including The Upper Room. See also: Upper Room; Liturgy; Formation.
Discontinued / Closure (Church) – Formal action to discontinue or close a local church, with disposition of property determined under the trust clause and conference procedures. See also: Trustees; Trust Clause; Mission Re‑use.
District Superintendent (DS) – Elder appointed by the bishop to supervise clergy and congregations in a district and to serve on the Cabinet. See also: Cabinet; Bishop; Appointment; Consultation.
Doctrinal Standards – The Articles of Religion, Confession of Faith, and Wesley’s Standard Sermons and Explanatory Notes on the New Testament (as standards for doctrine). See also: Quadrilateral; General Rules.
E
Elder – Ordained clergyperson called to word, sacrament, order, and service; exercises pastoral oversight and administers the sacraments. See also: Deacon; Local Pastor; Orders; Sacraments; Appointment.
Episcopal Area – The geographical area under the supervision of a bishop; may include one or multiple annual conferences. See also: Bishop; Episcopacy; Jurisdictional Conference.
Episcopacy – The office and function of bishops in the UMC, including supervision, appointment‑making, and teaching. See also: Bishop; Council of Bishops; Episcopacy Committee.
Extension Ministry / Appointment Beyond the Local Church – Appointments to settings such as chaplaincy, academia, non‑profits, or denominational agencies. See also: Appointment; Sacramental Permission; Accountability.
EUB – Evangelical United Brethren Church, one of the UMC’s predecessor denominations (merged in 1968). See also:Methodist Episcopal Church; Merger (1968).
F
Fair Process – Procedural safeguards ensuring just treatment in disciplinary matters, including notice, representation, and impartiality. See also: Complaint; Church Trial; Appeals.
Finance Committee – Local church body responsible for budgeting, stewardship education, and financial management. See also: CCFA; Apportionments; Stewardship.
Fellowship of Local Pastors & Associate Members – A supportive covenant community within the annual conference for those clergy categories. See also: Local Pastor; Associate Member.
Fiscal Year (Church) – Typically January–December for local church and conference budgeting; may vary for certain entities.
G
General Board of Church & Society (GBCS) – General agency for social witness, public policy advocacy, and the Social Principles. See also: Social Principles; Book of Resolutions.
General Board of Global Ministries (GBGM) – General agency overseeing missionaries, mission partnerships, the Advance, and UMCOR. See also: UMCOR; Advance.
General Board of Higher Education & Ministry (GBHEM) – General agency for clergy formation, theological education, loans/scholarships, and campus ministry. See also: Board of Ordained Ministry; District Committee on Ordained Ministry; Candidacy.
General Conference (GC) – The top legislative body of the UMC that meets quadrennially (or as called) with full authority to revise the BoD (within constitutional limits). See also: Constitution; Judicial Council; Delegates.
General Commission on Archives & History (GCAH) – General commission preserving and promoting Methodist/United Methodist heritage. See also: Conference Commission on Archives & History.
General Council on Finance & Administration (GCFA) – General agency that stewards general church finances, legal services, statistics, and compliance. See also: Apportionments; CCFA.
General Commission on Religion & Race (GCORR) – General commission that advances racial equity, anti‑racism, and intercultural competency across the connection.
General Commission on the Status and Role of Women (GCSRW) – General commission that advances equity and safety for women, monitors compliance, and provides training/resources.
General Agencies – Denominational bodies charged with specific programmatic or administrative functions (e.g., GBGM, GBCS, GBHEM, GCFA, Discipleship Ministries). See also: Connectional Table.
General Rules – Wesley’s three historic rules: do no harm, do good, attend upon all the ordinances of God. See also: Doctrinal Standards; Accountable Discipleship.
Grace (Prevenient/Justifying/Sanctifying) – Core Wesleyan soteriology emphasizing God’s grace at every stage of salvation. See also: Wesleyan Theology; Means of Grace.
H
Healthcare & Pensions (Wespath) – Benefits administration and fiduciary services for clergy/church employees through Wespath Benefits and Investments. See also: Wespath; General Council on Finance and Administration.
Historic Questions – The set of inquiries asked by a bishop of clergy during ordination regarding doctrine, discipline, and commitment (after Wesley’s model).
I
Itinerancy/Itineracy – The system by which bishops appoint clergy to charges, reflecting the historic practice of itinerant ministry for the sake of mission. See also: Appointment; Consultation; Cabinet.
Incorporation (Local Church) – Civil‑law act of forming a nonprofit entity for a congregation; interacts with, but does not negate, the ecclesial trust clause. See also: Trustees; Trust Clause.
J
Judicial Council Decision/Memorandum (JCD/JCM) – An official ruling by the Judicial Council, the highest court of the UMC, interpreting church law and constitution. See also: JC; Questions of Law; Rulings.
Judicial Council (JC) – The denomination’s top judicial body that reviews questions of law, declaratory decisions, and appeals on matters of church law. See also: Judicial Council Decision/Memorandum; General Conference.
Jurisdictional Conference (U.S.) – Regional body in the U.S. that elects and assigns bishops and may set certain missional priorities. See also: Central Conference; Episcopacy; General Conference.
K
Koinonia – New Testament term for fellowship/communion; often used to describe the communal bonds in connectional life. See also: Connectionalism; Sacraments.
L
Laity – Baptized, professing members of the Church who are not ordained; called to ministry in daily life and leadership in the church. See also: Lay Servant Ministries; Lay Leader.
Lay Leader (Conference/Local) – Elected leader who advocates for and coordinates lay ministry in the conference/local church. See also: Nominations; Church Council.
Lay Servant Ministries (LSM) – Training and certification system for laity in speaking, teaching, and leadership; includes categories such as Certified Lay Speaker. See also: CLM; Laity.
Leave of Absence (Family/Medical/Personal/Transitional) – Canonical categories for temporary changes in clergy appointment status. See also: Appointment; Clergy Status.
Liturgy – The Church’s public worship, including the sacraments and the services in The United Methodist Hymnal and Book of Worship. See also: Sacraments; Discipleship Ministries.
Local Pastor (Licensed) – Non‑ordained clergy licensed to preach, administer the sacraments, and lead worship within the scope of their appointment. See also: Elder; Deacon; Sacraments; Seminary; Course of Study.
LR – Local Rules (Conference or local church) adopted consistent with the BoD and superior church law. See also: BoD; Constitution.
M
Means of Grace – Practices through which God’s grace is conveyed (e.g., prayer, Scripture, Holy Communion, baptism, fasting, Christian conferencing). See also: General Rules; Liturgy.
Membership (Professing) – Status conferred by profession of faith or transfer, with rights and responsibilities in a local church. See also: Baptismal Covenant; Church Conference.
Merger (1968) – Union of the Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren to form the UMC. See also: EUB; Methodist Episcopal Church; Discipline (1968).
Methodist Episcopal Church (MEC) – Historic predecessor body (MEC, MEC‑South) within the Methodist family. See also: EUB; Merger; Articles of Religion.
Mission Share / Connectional Giving – Another term for apportionments and designated mission offerings. See also: Apportionments; Advance; World Service Fund.
N
Nominations (Committee on) – See Committee on Nominations & Leadership Development.
North Central/Northeastern/Southeastern/South Central/Western Jurisdiction – The five U.S. jurisdictions of the UMC. See also: Jurisdictional Conference.
O
Ombuds / Advocate (GBHEM, GCORR/GCSRW contexts) – Roles that provide confidential counsel, training, and advocacy for just processes and safe church environments. See also: Fair Process; Safe Sanctuaries.
Orders (Clergy) – The Order of Elders and the Order of Deacons provide covenant community, mutual support, and accountability for ordained clergy. See also: Fellowship of Local Pastors; Board of Ordained Ministry.
Ordination – The act of setting apart deacons and elders by the laying on of hands for their respective orders. See also: Licensing; Membership (Conference); Vows.
P
Pilcrow/Paragraph Symbol (¶) – Reference mark used in the Book of Discipline (BOD) to denote specific paragraphs of church law. See also: BOD.
Pilcrow, Double (¶¶) – Short for “paragraphs,” referring to ranges in the BOD (e.g., ¶¶ 425–430). See also: ¶.
Parish – Another term for charge or group of congregations served together; sometimes used in cooperative ministry settings. See also: Charge; Cooperative Parish.
Pastoral Charge – See Charge.
Pastor‑in‑Charge (PIC) – The appointed pastor with primary responsibility for a charge. See also: Appointment; Staff-Pastor-Parish-Relations Committee; District Superintendent.
Pensions & Benefits (Wespath) – See Healthcare & Pensions (Wespath).
Pastor-Parish Relations Committee(PPRC) / Staff‑Parish Relations Committee (SPRC) – Local church committee that supports the clergy–congregation relationship, evaluates ministry, and consults on appointments. See also: Appointment; Consultation; District Superintendent.
Provisional Member (PM) – A clergy membership category following commissioning and before full connection (ordination as elder/deacon). See also: Board of Ordained Ministry; Call to Ministry (Candidacy); Orders; Conference Membership.
Provisional Annual Conference – A new or reorganizing conference granted provisional status until meeting defined criteria. See also: Annual Conference.
Q
Quadrilateral (Wesleyan/United Methodist) – The theological method that employs Scripture, tradition, reason, and experience as lenses for doing theology, with Scripture as primary. See also: Doctrinal Standards.
R
Readmission – Processes for a separated congregation or individual to re‑enter the UMC under specified terms. See also: Disaffiliation; Membership; Trust Clause.
Regionalization – A constitutional and legislative framework empowering regional bodies (including a potential U.S. region) to craft contextually appropriate disciplinary provisions under constitutional guardrails. See also: Adaptation; Constitution; General Conference.
Reserve Delegate – An elected alternate who serves when a regular delegate is unable to participate. See also: Delegate; Elections.
Residency – Period of supervised practice in ministry for provisional members preparing for ordination. See also: Provisional Member; Board of Ordained Ministry; Orders.
Ruling of Law / Decision of Law / Question of Law – Formal rulings by a bishop on questions raised during a session of an annual, jurisdictional, or central conference; subject to review by the Judicial Council. See also: Judicial Council; Judicial Council Decision/Memorandum; Bishop.
S
Sacraments – Baptism and Holy Communion in UMC theology; elders normally preside, with sacramental permissions for deacons in certain contexts and licensed local pastors within their appointments. See also: Elder; Deacon; Local Pastor.
Safe Sanctuaries – Policies and training designed to prevent abuse and protect children, youth, and vulnerable adults in church ministries. See also: General Commission on the Status and Role of Women; General Council on Finance & Administration (compliance/risk).
Seminary (UM‑related) – Schools of theology related to the UMC that partner with General Board of Higher Education & Ministry (GBHEM) and conferences for clergy education. See also: GBHEM; BOM.
Session (Annual Conference) – The annual meeting of an AC, including business, worship, ordination, and appointments. See also: Appointments; Bishop.
Social Principles – The denomination’s teaching statements on social issues adopted by General Conference; may be revised over time. See also: General Board of Church and Society (GBCS); Book of Resolutions.
Staff-Parish-Relations Committee (SPRC) – See PPRC/SPRC.
Status & Role of Women (GCSRW) – See GCSRW.
Stewardship – The spiritual discipline of generous giving, time, and talent for God’s mission; includes local, conference, and global stewardship of resources. See also: Apportionments; Finance Committee.
Superintendency – The office and function of district superintendents. See also: District Superintendent; Cabinet.
Supervisory Response – The process initiated by a bishop/DS upon receipt of a complaint to seek a just resolution or appropriate administrative/judicial steps. See also: Complaint; Just Resolution.
T
Table, The (Connectional Table) – See Connectional Table.
Threshold Questions (Ordination/Transfer) – Foundational assessments related to doctrine, practice, and readiness used by Board of Ordained Ministry (BOM)/ District Committee on Ordained Ministry (DCOM) in discernment. See also: BOM; DCOM; Candidacy.
Traceable Funds (Apportionments/Designated) – Accounting categories for mission shares and designated gifts as managed by conference treasurers and GCFA. See also: Apportionments; Advance.
Trust Clause – The provision that local church property is held in trust for the UMC; affects property use, sale, discontinuance, and disaffiliation. See also: Trustees; Disaffiliation; Incorporation.
Trustees (Board of) – Local church (and conference) bodies holding and managing property and legal interests in compliance with church law and civil law. See also: Trust Clause; Incorporation; Insurance.
¶¶ 2540–2553 (Property Processes) – Common shorthand for property‑related paragraphs in the BoD, including sale, mortgage, discontinuance, readmission, and related procedures. See also: Trustees; Trust Clause.
U
UCP (Union Church / Cooperative Parish) – Context‑dependent shorthand either for a union congregation of multiple denominations or for cooperative parish arrangements. See also: Cooperative Parish; Ecumenical Shared Ministry.
UM Hymnal / UM Book of Worship – Official worship resources authorized for use in the UMC. See also: Liturgy; Discipleship Ministries.
The United Methodist Church (UMC) – A global, connectional Christian denomination formed in 1968 through merger of EUB and MEC. See also: General Conference; Annual Conference; Connectionalism.
United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) – A unit of Global Ministries providing disaster response and humanitarian aid. See also: General Board of Global Ministries; Advance.
United Methodist Publishing House (UMPH) – Historic publisher of UMC resources (including Cokesbury retail). See also: Discipleship Ministries; Upper Room.
UMVIM – United Methodist Volunteers in Mission, a grassroots movement coordinating short‑term mission service. See also: General Board of Global Ministries.
United Women in Faith (UWF) – Organization for women’s spiritual growth and mission (formerly United Methodist Women, UMW). See also: United Methodist Men; Discipleship; Mission.
Upper Room (The) – A ministry within Discipleship Ministries known for devotional resources and prayer movements. See also: Discipleship Ministries.
V
Vows (Baptismal/Membership/Ordination) – Sacred promises made in baptism, profession of faith, and ordination; define mutual covenant and accountability. See also: Baptismal Covenant; Orders; Membership.
Vote Thresholds (Conference/Local) – Required majorities (simple, two‑thirds, etc.) for specified actions in BoD and conference/local rules. See also: Elections; Constitution.
W
Wesleyan Covenant Association (WCA) – An independent advocacy organization within the broader Methodist family; not a UMC general agency. See also: Global Methodist Church (GMC) – separate denomination.
Wesleyan Theology/Spirituality – Emphasis on grace, holiness, discipline, and practical divinity in the Methodist tradition. See also: Means of Grace; General Rules; Quadrilateral.
Wespath – The UMC’s general board for pensions and benefits (legally Wespath Benefits and Investments). See also: Pensions; Healthcare.
World Service Fund – The primary general‑church apportionment that supports global mission and connectional ministries. See also: Apportionments; GCFA.
Y
Yoked Parish – Two or more congregations sharing a pastor while remaining distinct congregations. See also: Cooperative Parish; Charge.
Z
Zoe Empowers – Example of a mission partner often supported by UMC congregations (illustrative of designated giving through The Advance or direct partnerships). See also: Advance; Mission.