In this 2025 annual conference season, a year after the dramatic General Conference of 2024, the big question is whether the Regionalization constitutional amendments voted on in the annual conferences just concluded in the U.S., but still in process around the world, have passed. This session of the official United Methodist Church polity course will cover where we are now and what comes next for our denomination, and what will not change at all for our congregations. It will help church leaders and longtime members lead, and help newcomers get their bearings.
Our goal will be to understand how we serve and fulfill God’s call through Wesleyan organizational principles. We’ll explore how such principles help our congregations be a place and a people that embody the Kingdom of God.
Learners must obtain the book The Method of Our Mission: United Methodist Polity & Organization by Laceye C. Warner, which is not included in the course fee. This is an intense course – it’s best to read the book before the course starts! Be prepared to read assignments and post written reflections on the discussion boards daily, but there is no set time to be online.
This course has been approved by Discipleship Ministries as an advanced course in Lay Servant Ministries. It is the “polity” course required for Lay Speaker certification
This course has been approved by Discipleship Ministries as an advanced course in Lay Servant Ministries. It is the “polity” course required for Lay Speaker certification.
This course is eligible for 1.0 CEU.
Quick Info:
Number of weeks: 3
Price: $85
CEUs: 1.0
Required books: Yes
Blackboard: Yes
Zoom: No
Certification or Series: Yes (Lay Servant Ministries)
Read course description for details.
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About the Instructors
Rev. Beth Galbreath is a United Methodist deacon and author of the official Discipleship Ministries leader guide for “Life Together in the UM Connection,” which she has taught at BeADisciple for over a decade. She brings a multimedia, multi-intelligence approach to courses, and delights when students tell her, “I thought this ‘polity class’ was going to be boring! Wow – it’s not!”
Beth served on the leadership team of a successful new church plant for a decade. Over her husband’s 43 years of appointment as lead pastor in urban, rural, small-town, and suburban congregations, she has worked with many leadership and structural formats, served in pastoral leadership herself, and on annual conference committees and task groups.
Jason Snyder is a member of First United Methodist Church in McKinney Texas. He is a certified lay servant and is nearing certification as a lay speaker as well as working on certification in Christian Education through BeADisciple.com. Every advanced course he has taken for certification as a lay speaker have been taken on BeADisciple.com.
Jason earned his Ph.D. in mathematics from the University of North Texas in 2009 and following graduation was an actuarial technician for a small firm in Dallas for four years until a lay-off due to economic concerns. He then earned his teacher certification and taught high school mathematics for three years before accepting a position at a community college, where he has been for nine years.
Past Learners Said…
“I just loved how [the course] forced me to learn things about being a Methodist that I needed to know!”
“I so appreciated how the Instructor went above and beyond the required course book to share excellently prepared material.”
“Life Together in the United Methodist Connection has been the most powerful course in my educational journey as a lay leader!”
“[The best thing was] The diversity. Those who attended the course were all over the map, literally and figuratively – but we managed to have open, honest conversations and dialogue and our instructor did a good job of allowing ideas to flow freely, while ensuring we remained respectful and loving toward each other.”
“[The best thing was] The “connexion” it provided with so many other folks from different jurisdictions and conferences. It’s sometimes easy to become insulated within one’s own conference and loose perspective on what other United Methodists from other jurisdictions and conferences are experiencing in their Christian walks.”
“I learned things I needed to know that I didn’t know I needed to know. I learned so much about conferences in the US, but mostly, because this course encouraged research, I learned so much about my own conference.”
“I am so happy I took this course. Along with the information I learned, I also learned a lesson about not judging something before I know anything about it.”
“I know it’s a lot of work to reply to every student and even the comments/replies, but the feedback is exceedingly helpful. Although I dreaded this course, thinking that a 3 week course on polity (an uncommon word in society) would be difficult and dry, [it was] interesting and fun, plus educational. “I LOVED the information given in this course! It was not opinion driven but fact driven, and I truly appreciate that! I have learned so much in the last few weeks!”
“How do I count the ways??? The learning brought the Book of Discipline to life, using Wesley’s teachings and scripture to discuss and explain the rational and inspiration for the expectations, history, rules, and directives. I appreciated the responses by fellow students and their experiences and perspectives.”
“Beth was an excellent instructor. It’s a hard subject and she made it understandable with her explanatory documents. Also the numerous links to various sources of information was great. I feel like I have a much better understanding of polity in the UMC and great sources of additional information as I need it.”
“This course definitely deserves the rave reviews that it receives. The material, of course, is essential. But the connexion that happens because the class membership literally spans the continent, provides a perspective you can’t get when taking the course within your own district or conference. Also critical to the success of this course was our instructor. Beth’s sensitive, yet firm facilitation of discussions, played a major role in keeping dialog polite and civil, even when course member’s spiritual views differed greatly.”
“I learned that I knew next to nothing about the United Methodist Church outside of my local congregation. Now, not only do I understand the big organizational picture, I have discovered new resources that will make parts of my job at the church easier. I will be able to help explain things when I hear people discussing issues, and I have a better grasp of the importance of connection.”
“One of the blessings that I received by taking this class was not only the information I received, as I am a new Methodist, but the love I experienced from all the participants.”
“I guess the thing I liked best about this course is that it is so relevant in these times to learn about our denomination and the way it functions.”
“What a time to be taking the Polity course! Reverend Beth did an excellent job explaining UMC polity as well as presenting some GMC differences. It was interesting to be part of a group of people who all love the Lord, coming to the same conclusion but through entirely different avenues. Group discussions were kept kind and informative.”
“Because of this class, I now have a basic understanding of the structure of the UMC and a fairly good idea of who does what. Having this background will enable me to help further discussions in my congregation. We often do not have accurate information and base our opinions of church operations on rumor.”
“I cannot possibly write all that I learned in this class. Suffice it to say I learned enough to know that I need to keep learning and looking for more information. I learned that it is possible to have patience with one another when we really try.”
“I now see UMC polity as more than just a book of rules and a bunch of meetings, but one of the guides we have to help us make disciples for Christ!”
“This is my third or fourth class with Beth as leader. …I was concerned this could be a “discipline” study rather than a “connection” study. I should have known better given who our teacher was. I have learned a great deal. High up on the list of why these classes work so well is the interaction with other classmates, committed Christians, with questions and answers worth listening to. I am grateful for the opportunity to share and grow together. Thank you.”
