The fundamental constituting and legal document of The United Methodist Church. The Constitution was approved as part of the Plan of Union for the merger of The Evangelical United Brethren Church and The Methodist Church in 1968. It establishes the basic outline for the organization of the denomination as well as establishing the office and role of the bishop. The Constitution establishes the Judicial Council as the body to rule on matters of church law as passed by the General Conference.
The United Methodist Constitution is found in part I of the United Methodist Book of Discipline. There is a strict process in place when the denomination desires to amend the Constitution. Learn more about how an amendment is made:
Source: A Dictionary for United Methodists, Alan K. Waltz, Copyright 1991, Abingdon Press. Used by permission.
Updated, 2024
