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'''Methodism''' is a [[Christian]] denomination partly based on the teachings of [[John Wesley]]. It is so named because Wesley was strongly influenced by the writings of St [[Methodius]].
'''Methodism''' is a [[Christian]] denomination partly based on the teachings of [[John Wesley]]. When Wesley was at Oxford University, he founded a group of Christian students dedicated to prayer and a methodical discipline, so other make fun of them calling them "Methodists."
In the United States there are several major Methodists bodies: The United Methodist Church, the Free Methodist Church, the African Methodist Church (AME), the Christian Methodist Church, and the African Methodist Zion Church.
All Methodist groups have the "connectional" form of government. They have bishops, annual conferences and general conferences. The annual conference, presided by a bishop, is divided in districts presided by superintendents.
The bishop together with the superintendents appoint the local ministers.
John Wesley, the founder was a minister of the Church of England (Anglican) who on May 22, 1739 had a conversion experience, while listening to the reading of Luther's commentary to the Letter to the Romans. He preached the gospel in England over 40 years after his conversion, and tens of thousands joined his lay groups. They remained in the Church of England until after Wesley's death.
In the United States, the Methodists organized themselves as a separate denomination in 1784, chosing their first bishops.