Changes

The denomination grew rapidly in all parts of the U.S., especially the middle states.  Methodism were about 4% of the population from 1830 to 1860; it peaked in 1925 at 6.5%.  The decline accelerated after 1960, as more people died than joined. It had approximately equal appeal to blacks and whites,<ref> Most of the blacks belong to the [[Methodist Episcopal Church]] and the [[Methodist Episcopal Zion Church]], but there are large numbers affiliated with the United Methodist Church as well.</ref>  and its missions were relatively successful among the many German and Scandinavian immigrants.

The denomination grew rapidly in all parts of the U.S., especially the middle states.  Methodism were about 4% of the population from 1830 to 1860; it peaked in 1925 at 6.5%.  The decline accelerated after 1960, as more people died than joined. It had approximately equal appeal to blacks and whites,<ref> Most of the blacks belong to the [[Methodist Episcopal Church]] and the [[Methodist Episcopal Zion Church]], but there are large numbers affiliated with the United Methodist Church as well.</ref>  and its missions were relatively successful among the many German and Scandinavian immigrants.

===Colonial Era===

===Colonial Era===

The [[First Great Awakening]] was a series of religious revivals up and down the colonies, beginning in the 1720s. Different denominations took part, but none gained as many members as the newly founded Methodist sect, still considered a part of the Anglican Church.   

The [[First Great Awakening]] was a series of religious revivals up and down the colonies, beginning in the 1720s. Different denominations took part, but none gained as many members as the newly founded Methodist sect, still considered a part of the Anglican Church.  The most effective revivalist was Englishman [[George Whitefield]], who visited the colonies seven times and was largely responsible for the success of the [[First Great Awakening]].

Missionaries coming from Britain to New England in the mid- and late-18th century faced strong opposition from the established Congregational Church. Methodists held a conception of religion and its relationship to society that was fundamentally at odds with the views of the religious establishment. Beyond a struggle over religious authority, the struggle over Methodism also reveals deep-seated fears of community fragmentation and social disorder in the wake of the American Revolution.<ref> Eric Baldwin, "'The Devil Begins to Roar': Opposition to Early Methodists in New England." ''Church History'' 2006 75(1): 94-119 </ref>

Missionaries coming from Britain to New England in the mid- and late-18th century faced strong opposition from the established Congregational Church. Methodists held a conception of religion and its relationship to society that was fundamentally at odds with the views of the religious establishment. Beyond a struggle over religious authority, the struggle over Methodism also reveals deep-seated fears of community fragmentation and social disorder in the wake of the American Revolution.<ref> Eric Baldwin, "'The Devil Begins to Roar': Opposition to Early Methodists in New England." ''Church History'' 2006 75(1): 94-119 </ref>

The Methodists grew from a handful of preachers ministering to under 1,000 members when Francis Asbury arrived in America in 1771. At his death in 1816 he led a church with over 700 circuit riders and 200,000 formal members, and perhaps four times as many people who were more loosely-connected adherents.

The Methodists grew from a handful of preachers ministering to under 1,000 members when Francis Asbury arrived in America in 1771. At his death in 1816 he led a church with over 700 circuit riders and 200,000 formal members, and perhaps four times as many people who were more loosely-connected adherents.

===Second Great Awakening===

===Second Great Awakening===

see also [[Methodist Episcopal Church, South]]

see also [[Methodist Episcopal Church, South]]