Our Tradition & Structure
“A disciplined way of following Jesus, shared across local churches, circuits, and the wider Connexion.”
The Methodist tradition in Britain from its origins in the eighteenth century has promoted a disciplined way of following Jesus, an emphasis on community and a concern for the wider world. Local churches are grouped into ‘Circuits’ – and this is the website of the Enfield Circuit, eight churches in the London Borough of Enfield and Hertfordshire Borough of Broxbourne.
Find out more through this website, or through a local church. The national Methodist website explains more about the Methodist Church and gives details of its founding and history; or visit the regional website for London District.
Organised with Purpose
The Methodist Church in Britain is still organised in a methodical way using many of the structures introduced by its founder, John Wesley.
However, the Church is quite pragmatic, and is willing to make changes where they seem desirable. Structures are there to enable decision making that takes account of all concerns and views within the Church. No one is given supreme authority – consultation is vital. At the same time, churches cannot simply arrange their own affairs, but have some shared disciplines and ways of working.
How We Are Organised
The Local Church
The congregational place of worship, where Methodist members and friends are nurtured in faith and community.
The Circuit
A group of local churches (such as Enfield), served by a team of local preachers and ministers including the superintendent minister.
The District
Serves a geographical group of circuits (such as the London District) and is led by the district chair.
The Connexion
Methodists are linked together in a nationwide ‘Connexion’ of churches, circuits and districts.
The Conference
The annual Methodist Conference meets in different places and is the supreme decision-making body of the Church. Annually at Conference, a new President and Vice-President are appointed to preside over Conference and spend the year travelling across the Connexion and abroad representing the Methodist Church.
Explore Further
Visit our national and regional bodies to learn more about the broader Methodist family:
“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit... one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all.”