Frequently Asked Questions
Where do we stand now?
The Episcopal Church (TEC) and the United Methodist Church (UMC) have been in dialogue about full communion since 2002. In 2010, A Theological Foundation for Full Communion was issued and continues to be available on the TEC website. At its last General Conference in 2024, the UMC approved full communion agreement outlined in A Gift to the World. TEC will consider a resolution for full communion at the 2027 General Convention.
What is full communion?
Full communion is not merger; both churches would continue to function according to their own rules and regulation. Full communion is a mutual recognition that we are both part of the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic church. It allows interchange of clergy as well as joint ministry. When clergy are exchanged they will function according the regulations of the church or ministry in which they serve. For example, a Methodist minister could with permission of both bishops serve in an Episcopal parish, but would do so according the doctrine, discipline, and worship of our church. Full communion would open doors to joint and shared ministries such as campus work, chaplaincies, camps, etc.
Do we share common roots?
Both bodies originated from the Church of England. The Revolution War precipitated a mission crisis of clergy leadership and episcopal oversight. The Episcopal Church responded by seeking its own bishops ordained in Scotland and England. John Wesley responded by ordaining “supervising elders,” who would in turn organize conferences and ordain elders.
Do we share a common faith?
Yes. Both churches worship Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Both acknowledge the authority of the Old and New Testaments. We have common creeds and practice the two dominical sacraments. Both have ordered ministry consisting of laity, deacons, presbyters, and bishops. Both pursue holiness of life and service to the world.
What is the mandate for full communion?
Jesus himself prayed for the unity of the church so that the world might see the love of God. (John 17:23) Ephesians declares that Christ has removed all barriers between persons through the cross, and, therefore, Christians should make “every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” (Eph. 4: 3) Moreover, the church has been given the ministry of reconciliation as part of our mission. (2 Cor. 5:17-19) The Outline of Faith in the Book of Common Prayer states that the mission of the church “is to restore all people to unity with God and each other in Christ.” (p. 855) Finally, the witness of the church in a divided and fractured world calls for a church united in mission.
What about the historic episcopate?
Full communion would recognize that both churches share in the apostolic succession in the sense that both have recognized the teachings of the apostles. One of the outcomes of full communion is that the bishops of the United Methodist would be incorporated into the historic episcopate in a manner similar to that used with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) in Called to Common Mission.
What about the sacraments?
Both churches practice both Holy Baptism and Holy Eucharist as sacraments instituted by Christ. In their official statements, the UMC believes in baptismal regeneration and in the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist. The Book of Discipline of the UMC mandates the use of grape juice at Communion. With full communion the UMC would continue that practice and TEC would continue the use of wine. Guidelines for Interim Eucharistic Sharing between the UMC and TEC were approved in 2006.
What about LGBTQ+ people?
The UMC affirms the full participation of LGBTQ+ persons in the life of the church, including the ordained ministry. More information can be found HERE.
What about the ministry of deacons?
Since the UMC General Conference in 2024, in certain situations UMC deacons are permitted to preside at the Eucharist. In the proposed full communion, a UMC deacon serving in an Episcopal setting would not be permitted to preside at Communion, and an Episcopal deacon serving in a UMC setting would not preside.
If the full communion resolution passes at the 2027 General Convention, what's next?
The UMC-TEC Dialogue team is working on protocols (called an "Orderly Exchange") for making an orderly transition, again in a manner similar to the process with the ELCA.
The Episcopal Church (TEC) and the United Methodist Church (UMC) have been in dialogue about full communion since 2002. In 2010, A Theological Foundation for Full Communion was issued and continues to be available on the TEC website. At its last General Conference in 2024, the UMC approved full communion agreement outlined in A Gift to the World. TEC will consider a resolution for full communion at the 2027 General Convention.
What is full communion?
Full communion is not merger; both churches would continue to function according to their own rules and regulation. Full communion is a mutual recognition that we are both part of the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic church. It allows interchange of clergy as well as joint ministry. When clergy are exchanged they will function according the regulations of the church or ministry in which they serve. For example, a Methodist minister could with permission of both bishops serve in an Episcopal parish, but would do so according the doctrine, discipline, and worship of our church. Full communion would open doors to joint and shared ministries such as campus work, chaplaincies, camps, etc.
Do we share common roots?
Both bodies originated from the Church of England. The Revolution War precipitated a mission crisis of clergy leadership and episcopal oversight. The Episcopal Church responded by seeking its own bishops ordained in Scotland and England. John Wesley responded by ordaining “supervising elders,” who would in turn organize conferences and ordain elders.
Do we share a common faith?
Yes. Both churches worship Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Both acknowledge the authority of the Old and New Testaments. We have common creeds and practice the two dominical sacraments. Both have ordered ministry consisting of laity, deacons, presbyters, and bishops. Both pursue holiness of life and service to the world.
What is the mandate for full communion?
Jesus himself prayed for the unity of the church so that the world might see the love of God. (John 17:23) Ephesians declares that Christ has removed all barriers between persons through the cross, and, therefore, Christians should make “every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” (Eph. 4: 3) Moreover, the church has been given the ministry of reconciliation as part of our mission. (2 Cor. 5:17-19) The Outline of Faith in the Book of Common Prayer states that the mission of the church “is to restore all people to unity with God and each other in Christ.” (p. 855) Finally, the witness of the church in a divided and fractured world calls for a church united in mission.
What about the historic episcopate?
Full communion would recognize that both churches share in the apostolic succession in the sense that both have recognized the teachings of the apostles. One of the outcomes of full communion is that the bishops of the United Methodist would be incorporated into the historic episcopate in a manner similar to that used with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) in Called to Common Mission.
What about the sacraments?
Both churches practice both Holy Baptism and Holy Eucharist as sacraments instituted by Christ. In their official statements, the UMC believes in baptismal regeneration and in the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist. The Book of Discipline of the UMC mandates the use of grape juice at Communion. With full communion the UMC would continue that practice and TEC would continue the use of wine. Guidelines for Interim Eucharistic Sharing between the UMC and TEC were approved in 2006.
What about LGBTQ+ people?
The UMC affirms the full participation of LGBTQ+ persons in the life of the church, including the ordained ministry. More information can be found HERE.
What about the ministry of deacons?
Since the UMC General Conference in 2024, in certain situations UMC deacons are permitted to preside at the Eucharist. In the proposed full communion, a UMC deacon serving in an Episcopal setting would not be permitted to preside at Communion, and an Episcopal deacon serving in a UMC setting would not preside.
If the full communion resolution passes at the 2027 General Convention, what's next?
The UMC-TEC Dialogue team is working on protocols (called an "Orderly Exchange") for making an orderly transition, again in a manner similar to the process with the ELCA.