Methodist Connections – how are we connected?
United Methodist leaders often speak of the denomination as "the connection." This concept has been central to Methodism from its beginning.
The United Methodist structure and organization began as a means of accomplishing the mission of spreading scriptural holiness. Methodism's founder, John Wesley, recognized the need for an organized system of communication and accountability and developed what he called the "connexion," a network of classes, societies, and annual conferences.
Today, our denomination continues to be organized in a "connectional" system, which "enables us to carry out our mission in unity and strength" (Book of Discipline, ¶ 701). Every local church is linked to an interconnected network of organizations that join together in mission and ministry, allowing us to accomplish far more than any one local church or person could alone.
Within the connectional structure of The United Methodist Church, conferences provide the primary groupings of people and churches for discernment and decision-making. Wesley described Christian conferencing as a spiritual discipline through which God's grace may be revealed. At every level of the connection, church leaders and members come together in conversation, or conferencing, to discuss important issues and discover God's will for the church. The word, conference, thus refers to both the assembly and organization of people as well as the process of discerning God's call together.
Western North Carolina Conference
The Western North Carolina Conference is made up of over 1000 congregations, fresh expressions of church, campus ministries, and outreach initiatives in an episcopal area that stretches across the 44 western counties of the North Carolina.
Leadership:
Kenneth H. Carter, Bishop
www.wnccumc.org
Leadership:
Rev. Mark Ralls, District Superintendent
https://www.blueridgedistrictumc.org/
Blue Ridge District
Part of the Western North Carolina Conference under the Southeastern Jurisdiction of the United Methodist Church, we are 132 churches representing 4400+ faithful disciples of Jesus Christ deployed as missionaries to transform communities in the 9 mountain and foothill counties. The Blue Ridge District contains 13 Missional Networks, for missional and administrative purposes
Camp Tekoa
Camp Tekoa offers a variety of ways for children to attend a summer camp, as well as providing after-school care for area children. The Camp also offers retreat space for groups wishing to study and fellowship together.
Leadership:
Rev. John Isley, Executive Director
www.camptekoa.org
