Frequently Asked Questions 

Q. Where can I get more information on United Methodism? 

A. There are many resources you will find helpful, this handbook being one. Some others include: 

  • the official denominational website, umc.org, offers information on doctrine and beliefs, history, structure, organization and administrative policies and practices; 
  • free online courses are offered at http://training.umcom.org; 
  • Cokesbury.com, the retail arm of The United Methodist Publishing House, offers books and curriculum; and 
  • umcgiving.org provides generosity resources about apportioned funds, and opportunities to give to The Advance and Special Sundays. 

Q. How can I help with disaster relief? 

A. The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) provides emergency food, shelter and medicine, as well as humanitarian relief to refugees and displaced persons, and works to overcome world hunger and poverty. Contributions can be made in several ways, and 100 percent of your tax-deductible gifts go to the project you designate. Churches and individuals can help by assembling relief supply kits at home, or by volunteering at the material resource depots for processing and deploying UMCOR supply kits and bulk materials. Detailed instructions are available at www.umcor.org. 

You can also support UMCOR Sunday with an offering. Your contribution on UMCOR Sunday ensures UMCOR’s response in times of crisis. UMCOR’s ability to respond and remain until the job is done is in direct proportion to the generosity of United Methodists at the time of the offering. The UMCOR Sunday offering restores and rebuilds lives in the United States and around the world. Learn more about UMCOR Sunday at www.umcgiving.org/umcor. 

Q. I am exploring a call to ordained ministry. Where do I go for guidance and resources? 

A. Our Discipline suggests you go to your pastor, another clergyperson or your district superintendent to start. You need to be a professing member in good standing of The United Methodist Church or a baptized participant of a recognized United Methodist campus ministry 

or other denominational ministry setting for at least one year to start the formal process, but that does not mean you cannot have informal conversations about your call. For information on our process, go to the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry website, www.gbhem.org. 

Do you have more questions? 

Ask InfoServ, the information service for the church, at infoserv@ umcom.org and www.infoserv.umc.org. 

From the United Methodist Handbook 2016