It was originally published in 1784, in the methodist episcopal church, and has been published every four years thereafter following the meeting of the general conference, which passes legislation that is included in the book of discipline. The book of discipline of the united methodist church, part i. It is the policy of the university to endorse the united methodist churchs position of abstinence from the use of alcohol, realizing that this recommendation of abstinence is not a new legalism nor a moralistic prohibition but a matter of conscience and personal discipline the book of discipline, 162l. The book of resolutions contains pronouncements on social issues. At no cost, you may view an online version of the 2016 book of discipline andor book of resolutions 2016. Feb 09, 2020 a recent report indicates that alcohol usage is at the same level as it was before prohibition and that alcoholrelated deaths have more than doubled in the past twenty years. The book of discipline of the united methodist church 2008. The united methodist church supports abstinence from alcohol and all illegal drugs and commits to helping persons recovering from use and abuse of them. How book of discipline comes to be united methodist. In it are these things called the social principles.
The book of discipline was instituted by men in the 1700s it was not is of god. Following are excerpts from the book of discipline, the official statements of doctrine of the free methodist church. Cokesbury has now made available a free online edition of the book of discipline, 2016 edition, limited to view and search capabilities. Through the tireless efforts of john, his brother charles, and others, this movement culminated organizationally in 1968 to become the united. It follows similar works for its predecessor denominations. United methodist official resources book of discipline. We affirm our longstanding support of abstinence from alcohol as a faithful witness to gods liberating and redeeming love for persons. Foundational documents, including the doctrinal statements and the social principles, are found in the what we believe section cokesbury, the retail arm of the united methodist publishing house, sells several versions of the discipline.
This doesnt mean that those in the church who want to bless homosexual relationships and to change the definition of marriage are without funding and support. We support abstinence from the use of any illegal drugs. Sep 25, 2017 if i was ever ordained as a methodist pastor, i will not make an excuse to drink alcohol privately. I do not consider myself a paulean follower but a christ follower. The united methodist church umc which is probably the largest of the methodist denominations has a thing called the book of discipline. The united methodist publishing house nashville, tennessee. According to the discipline, the book editor of the united methodist publishing house is the editor of the discipline. The book of discipline of the united methodist church 2000 book. They outline official stances of the umc on a wide variety of issues but they are not law. We do not prohibit our members from doing so responsibly with deliberate and intentional restraint. Poll shows churchs shifting views of alcohol united methodist. The discipline of the united methodist church is the product of over 200 years of the general conferences of the denominations that now form the united methodist church.
It originated as a revival movement within the 18thcentury church of. From the start of your college experience, it is critical to become familiar with this information in order to take advantage of all methodist university has to offer. Book of discipline addendum and errata december 2019. Free online editions of both the book of discipline and the book of resolutions are available from cokesbury. Since the use of illegal drugs, as well as illegal and.
After the civil war, as methodism expanded in the united states, methodistswomen especiallybegan to steer the denomination toward a harder line as the temperance movement gained steam. The abuse of alcohol, a legalized drug, is damaging to individuals, families, and society. The book editor, the secretary of the general conference, the publisher of the united methodist church, and the committee on correlation and editorial revision shall. Answer by biggiant 5 the official stance on alcohol in the united methodist book of discipline is the position of total abstinence. Are methodist ministerspastors allowed to consume alcohol andor. The medical amnesty protocol map promotes education and treatment for students who receive medical attention for an alcohol or drugrelated emergency to reduce the likelihood of future occurrences. Nov 27, 2012 the united methodist book of discipline prohibits the use apportionment money to promote the acceptance of homosexuality 6. The official stance on alcohol in the united methodist book of discipline is the position of total abstinence. General provisions see attachment 2 for definitions a. The book of discipline of the united methodist church is the product of over two. The book of discipline of the united methodist church 2016.
Members pledged that they would abstain from alcoholic beverages. The book of discipline of the united methodist church. From a practical perspective, held in trust means the denomination has a right to succeed to the title of local church property. An online version of the book of discipline and the book of resolutions, 2016 are offered on the cokesbury web site for free. In 1916, the general conference authorized the formation of a board of temperance, prohibition, and public morals to make more effectual the efforts of the church to create public sentiment and crystallize the same into successful opposition to the organized traffic in intoxicating liquors. Jan 01, 2009 the book of discipline of the united methodist church 2008 abingdon press on. In 2018, while the united methodist churchs social principle on abortion paragraph 161k in the 2016 book of discipline supports the legal option of abortion, it also contains many phrases and statements that are protective of the unborn and mother. No attempt is made here to interpret these paragraphs or to offer advice related to any specific situation. Mar 21, 2011 after the civil war, as methodism expanded in the united states, methodistswomen especiallybegan to steer the denomination toward a harder line as the temperance movement gained steam. According to the social principles in the book of discipline.
The book of discipline is not just about about rules of what it means to be united methodists. Order and alcohol and, of course, homosexuality in the umc. Top 25 ways united methodists dont uphold the book of discipline. Greetings in the name of our lord and savior, jesus christ. The health and safety of students at spartanburg methodist college is a primary concern to the entire smc community. That social principle has now been rewrittenthoroughly. Included are the major sections that deal with doctrinal and theological positions. The student handbook will guide you in learning the universitys code of conduct, locating mus policies, understanding your rights and responsibilities, and accessing campus resources.
Our book editor, neil alexander, is also the publishing house president. However, the united methodist church has long believed that abstinence from alcohol and other drugs witnesses to gods liberating and redeeming love and is part of living into the life god has prepared for us we start there. In them both consumption of alcohol and cigarettes are discouraged. The methodist church is a participating member of the world council of churches and the national council of churches and is one of the leading proponents of ecumenism. The book of discipline of the united methodist church, 2012. The words of the book of discipline do not give any leeway for such behavior. United methodist church proposes new position statement.
The united methodist church and homosexuality overview. What is the methodist church, and what do methodists believe. We the umc affirm our longstanding support of abstinence from alcohol as a. The united methodist church has long opposed abuse of alcohol and other drugs. George whitefield and johns brother charles wesley were also significant early leaders in the movement. Drinking still a touchy topic the christian century. The book of discipline of the united methodist church 2008 abingdon press on.
The 2015 book of discipline is the historical, theological and missiological document of the free methodist church usa, containing our articles of religion, the christian journey, and organizational structure and guidance. The rules of the general conference mention the book editor, the discipline editor or the editors established colleagues. Articles of religion god the holy trinity 101 there is but one living and true god, the maker and preserver of all things. Im speaking as a united methodist pastor in the usa. Top 25 ways united methodists dont uphold the book of. What is the methodist church, and what do methodists. The book editor, the secretary of the general conference, the publisher of the united methodist church, and the committee on correlation and editorial revision shall be charged with editing the book of discipline. The qualifications and duties of local pastors, associate members, provisional members, and full members are set forth in the book of discipline of the united methodist church, and we believe they flow from the gospel as taught by jesus the christ and proclaimed by his apostles. You can read the position of the united methodist church in regard to alcohol and other drugs here which comes from the book of discipline. The book of discipline 2016 free edition search form cokesbury has now made available a free online edition of the book of discipline, 2016 edition, limited to view and search capabilities.
Jul 03, 2016 im speaking as a united methodist pastor in the usa. The editors, in the exercise of their judgment, shall have the authority to make changes in wording as may be necessary to. Methodism, also called the methodist movement, is a group of historically related denominations of protestant christianity which derive their doctrine of practice and belief from the life and teachings of john wesley. Moreover, its historic and present instructions and guidance are to help guide anyone that is a member of united methodism about living in true discipleship of jesus christ. Foundational documents, including the doctrinal statements and the social principles, are found in the what we believe section.
The discipline as the instrument for setting forth the laws, plan, polity, and process by which united methodists govern themselves remains constant. However, the united methodist church has long believed that abstinence from alcohol and other drugs witnesses to gods liberating and redeeming love and is part of living into the life god has prepared for us. How strange it is that 57 years later as 36 states and the district of columbia have made legal same sex marriage, the united methodist church still has in its book of discipline language and legislation, that declares marriage equality for same sex couples is at variance with the rules and legislation of the united methodist church. The issue then for me is to stay true to the lord, and of secondary concern is where i. The book of discipline of the united methodist church 202016. The book of discipline 2016 free edition the northwest. And by the early 20th century, the church endorsed prohibition and required methodist ministers to pledge abstinence from alcohol. Every four years, a general conference of methodist churches from around the world is held. The constitution of the free methodist church chapter 1 the constitution of the free methodist church. The united methodist church is the largest american mainline denomination, with nearly 12 million members in 42,000 congregations worldwide. Beloved brethren, we deem it necessary to annex to our book of discipline, a brief statement of our rise and progress, which we hope will be satisfactory, and conducive to your edification and growth in the knowledge of our lord jesus christ.
The book of discipline of the united methodist church 2000. If i was ever ordained as a methodist pastor, i will not make an excuse to drink alcohol privately. According to the 2008 book of discipline of the united methodist church book of discipline, the board of trustees shall have the supervision, oversight, and care of. Methodists generally do not approve of drinking alcohol. The book of discipline of the united methodist church is the product of over two hundred years of the general conferences of the denominations that now form the united methodist church. Starting in 2009, he urged his flock at myers park united methodist church in charlotte, north carolina, to give up drinking for lent and donate. It was an issue that involved both matters of personal discipline and. United methodists support abstinence and pledge to work to end alcohol and drug abuse. Decisions by church conferences and courts from 1972 to 1996. Chapter 1 the constitution of the free methodist church. The medical amnesty protocol map promotes education and treatment for students who receive medical attention for an alcohol or drugrelated emergency to reduce the likelihood of. The united methodist church has a strong commitment to alcohol avoidance in its law book, the book of discipline.
In response to this, a major teaching in the early methodist church was to reject alcohol even though jesus drank to promote living without alcohol, to improve the lives of the working class, and keep methodist churches a place where alcoholics could be safe from temptation. The book of discipline clearly indicates that all local church property, not just real estate, is held in trust for the united methodist church. The book of discipline of the united methodist church outlines denominational law, doctrine, administration, organizational work and procedures. Learn more about the official resources subscriptions by clicking on the banners below. Alcohol and drug policies spartanburg methodist college. The methodist churchs standing orders state that alcohol cannot be supplied, sold or used on methodist premises, unless permission has been given due to the premises being used as a conference centre, nor may methodist premises be used to promote the use or sale of intoxicants. Who determines what staff positions are required in the local church. Every four years, delegates to general conference vote on changes to both books. Denominations that descend from the british methodist tradition are generally less ritualistic, while american methodism is more so, the united methodist church in particular. The defining document of the bible methodist connection of churches, known as the discipline, was first published in 1970. The book of discipline of the united methodist church 20. The book of discipline constitutes the law and doctrine of the united methodist church. The book of discipline outlines the requirement for the local churchs committee of finance to make provisions for an annual audit of the financial statements as well as what constitutes an audit. So during lent this year, from ash wednesday on feb.
What does the united methodist churchs book of discipline. As people of faith, how do we navigate the complexities that arise from the use and abuse of alcohol. Jan 02, 2020 what is the methodist church, and what do methodists believe. A recent report indicates that alcohol usage is at the same level as it was before prohibition and that alcoholrelated deaths have more than doubled in the past twenty years. Are methodist ministerspastors allowed to consume alcohol. Methodism is known for its rich musical tradition, and charles wesley was instrumental in writing much of the hymnody of the methodist church.