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The '''United Methodist Church''', ('''UMC''') the largest [[Methodism|Methodist]] denomination, and the largest [[Mainline]] Protestant denomition in the U.S. It was formed from numerous mergers of American churches dating back to the 18th century. The Methodist Episcopal Church split North and South in 1844 over the slavery issue. They reunited in 1939 (and included the small Methodist Protestant Church) to form the "The Methodist Church (USA)." In 1968 it merged with the historically-German Evangelical United Brethren Church to form the United Methodist Church.  

The '''United Methodist Church''' ('''UMC''') is the largest [[Methodism|Methodist]] denomination and the largest [[Mainline]] Protestant denomination in the U.S.A. It was formed from numerous mergers of American churches dating back to the 18th century. Because of the abolitionist controversy, the Methodist Episcopal Church suffered the withdrawal of members who founded the Wesleyan Methodist Church and the [[Free Methodist Church]] shortly before the Civil War and, in addition, the church split North and South in 1844 over the slavery issue. That split was ended when the Northern and Southern branches reunited in 1939 (along with most of the small Methodist Protestant Church) to form the "The Methodist Church (USA)." In 1968 it merged with the historically-German Evangelical United Brethren Church to form the United Methodist Church.  

In the United States, it ranks as the second largest Protestant church (8 million and 1.5 million more worldwide).  

In the United States, it ranks as the second largest Protestant church (8 million and 1.5 million more worldwide) after the [[Southern Baptist Convention]].

[[John Wesley]] is honored as the founder of Methodism, but his theology was never fully appreciated.  

[[John Wesley]] is honored as the founder of Methodism, but his theology was never fully appreciated.  

==History==

==History==

The denomination grew rapidly in all parts of the U.S., especially the middle states.  Methodists comprised about 4% of the total population from 1830 to 1860; the peak came 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 in the U.S.

The denomination grew rapidly in all parts of the U.S. during the 19th and early 20th centuries, but especially in the middle states.  Methodists comprised about 4% of the total population from 1830 to 1860; the peak came in 1925 at 6.5%.  By 1960, the church was the largest Protestant church in the United States but then began a long membership decline as more people died or withdrew than joined. It had approximately equal appeal to blacks and whites. Most of the blacks belong to the [[ African Methodist Episcopal Church]], the [[African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church]], or the [[Christian Methodist Episcopal Church]], but there are large numbers affiliated with the United Methodist Church as well. Its missions were also relatively successful among the many German and Scandinavian immigrants in the U.S.A.

 

===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 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]].

The [[First Great Awakening]] was a series of religious revivals up and down the colonies, beginning  

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>

===Abortion===

===Abortion===

The United Methodist Church believes in the sanctity of an unborn human life. It opposes [[abortion]] as a form of [[birth control]] and [[gender]] selection. On the other hand, the church recognizes that irreversible damage may be done to a mother after an unacceptable [[pregnancy]] and that other such tragic conflicts may justify abortion. It also opposes [[partial-birth abortion]], except when the life of the [[mother]] is threatened. The UMC believes that [[government]] [[law]]s and [[regulation]]s do not provide all the guidance required by the informed Christian [[conscience]] and urges that [[prayer]] and thoughtful consideration precede all abortions. <ref>http://archives.umc.org/interior.asp?mid=1732</ref>

The United Methodist Church has taken a stand in support of the sanctity of an unborn human life. It opposes the morality of [[abortion]] when used as a form of [[birth control]] or [[gender]] selection. On the other hand, the church recognizes that irreversible damage may be done to a mother after an unacceptable [[pregnancy]] and that other such tragic conflicts may justify abortion. Consequently, the church has endorsed the legal right of women to choose abortion and has contributed financially to various state election campaigns in support of those opposing an effort to outlaw or restrict abortion on demand.

 

It also opposes [[partial-birth abortion]], except when the life of the [[mother]] is threatened. The UMC believes that [[government]] [[law]]s and [[regulation]]s do not provide all the guidance required by the informed Christian [[conscience]] and urges that [[prayer]] and thoughtful consideration precede all abortions. <ref>http://archives.umc.org/interior.asp?mid=1732</ref>

===Separation of Church and State===

===Separation of Church and State===