Catablog

Going Global

May 25, 2007


Over the last decade, the number of United Methodists outside the U.S. more than tripled. The denomination's largest district is now in the Ivory Coast. Trends suggest Christianity is going to continue to grow as a global phenomenon, and denominations are going to have to adapt to a global self-perception. Nearly 8 million United Methodists are now in the U.S., with another 3.5 million overseas. The denomination is the 3rd-largest in the U.S. behind Roman Catholics and Southern Baptists, but if current patterns continue, within decades the typical United Methodist will be from Africa. While international congregations expand, the denomination's U.S. ranks have decreased by 19% since the '70s.

Posted by Catalyst Admin at 06:51 AM • Permalink

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4 Comments »

  1. Although just a fraction of the U.M. numbers, the Free Methodist Church is already in a place of having more outside the U.S. than in.
    ——-

    Comment by Chris - May 25, 2007 @ 09:09 AM

  2. As a United Methodist, I think that this is an interesting development. UM’s in the US will need to recognize that God is working and moving within the people of the United Methodist Church around the world.

    Comment by Andrew Conard - May 25, 2007 @ 10:24 AM

  3. Are there other denominations with greater numbers outside the US?
    I wonder how many denominations there actually are?

    Comment by Jesse - May 25, 2007 @ 01:48 PM

  4. There is a faction within the UMC that wants to make sure that those outside the US have a smaller voice in the theology and operation of the US church. It is the dieing breath of those who have led the UMC in the US to it’s demise. However, if we are able to allow the African (and other) UM people lead us we might have a chance of once again becoming the missionary movement that we were.

    Comment by David - May 27, 2007 @ 08:11 PM

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