For me, connectionalism is the primary defining characteristic of United Methodist Polity. Bishops, superintendents, itinerancy, etc. all seem to be outgrowths of this central characteristic. I once heard our own David Stotts say, “Connectionalism is the DNA of United Methodism.” This can sometimes be the source of our greatest challenges as we attempt to navigate the waters of diversity, but our connectionalism, infused with life by the Holy Spirit, offers the best hope for accomplishing the mission of the churches and pastors who are within the connection. We can accomplish so much more together than we could ever dream of accomplishing alone.
Connectionalism gives rise to another primary characteristic of United Methodism – itinerancy. Ordained elders of The United Methodist Church are committed to an itinerant ministry. “They offer themselves without reserve to be appointed and to serve, after consultation as the appointive authority may determine” (The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church 2008, ¶333.1.). Itinerancy has been a hallmark of Methodism since it earliest inception. It offers churches the benefit of a large pool of well-trained leaders and offers the ordained elders the freedom to share their gifts and graces as they are so led.
The Book of Discipline says that the local church “is a strategic base from which Christians move out to the structures of society.” However, each local church is a member of a larger structure that facilitates the work and mission of the Church in the world. This structure, made up of conferences, begins with the Charge Conference organized by districts, then the Annual Conferences, Jurisdictional Conferences, and finally the General Conference which is the governing body of the Church. Each Jurisdictional Conference elects bishops to preside over Annual Conferences who then, according to the Book of Discipline, guide the local churches in carrying out our mission – “making disciples for the transformation of the world.”