"We love because he first loved us." - 1 John 4:19
Methodism History
MEMBERSHIP
Membership in the MCCA is through baptism. There are two types of members in the MCCA, viz 1) Members in Training and 2) Confirmed Members.
Those who are baptized and not yet confirmed are called members in training. After a period of training, and upon the acceptance of the Congregational Pastoral Council, a service of Confirmation is held. Persons who are confirmed become confirmed members and can hold office in the MCCA.
THE CLASS
The Class is the basic pastoral unit of the Methodist Church. All members are allocated to a Class under the pastoral care of a Class leader and (where appointed) an Assistant Class Leader. The Classes were, and are, the principal meetings of the Congregation for fellowship and mutual encouragement and growth in the faith.
THE CONGREGATION
A congregation is the whole body of members of the Methodist Church linked with a particular place of worship or church building.
The Congregation exercises the whole ministry of Christ. Worship, fellowship, pastoral care, mission and service are essential features if that ministry. Each congregation shall be under the care of a presbyter.
The Congregational Council (which is different from the Congregational Pastoral Council) is the executive body of the congregation and acts on behalf of the congregation.
THE CIRCUIT
One or more Congregations in a defined area make up a Circuit. The Circuit is the primary unit of administration in the MCCA and expresses the primary level of interconnectedness of the Congregations.
Ministers are stationed to Circuits by the District Conference.
The responsibilities of the Circuit are exercised through the Circuit Pastoral Council and the Circuit Council. The Circuit is under the general oversight of a Superintendent who is one of the Presbyters stationed in the Circuit.
THE DISTRICT
Circuits are grouped together to form Districts.
There are 8 Districts in the MCCA as follows:
- BAHAMAS/TURKS AND CAICOS DISTRICT
- BELIZE/HONDURAS DISTRICT
- GUYANA DISTRICT
- HAITI DISTRICT
- JAMAICA DISTRICT
- LEEWARD ISLANDS DISTRICT
- PANAMA/COSTA RICA DISTRICT
- SOUTH CARIBBEAN DISTRICT
For each District there is a District President whose job it is to lead, to stimulate the spiritual life of the District, to lead in evangelism and to give counsel to the ministers stationed in the District. Each District has a District Conference. Its primary purpose is to decide on policy for the District.
The District Conference is presided over by the District President who is a Methodist Presbyter. The District President is supported by the Secretary of the District Conference, who is also a Presbyter, and District Treasurer, who is usually a lay person. They are further supported, by a team of Secretaries for the Standing Committees of the District Conference.
Each District Conference meets in two Sessions: Representative Session and Ministerial Session.
The Representative Session is the meeting of both lay delegates and the Presbyters. This session is usually convened two days after the Ministerial Session has been convened. Membership in the Representative Session is made up of the Presbyters, all Circuit Stewards in the District, representatives from the Circuits in the District, elected members of the Standing Committees of the District Conference, and members of the District Stationing Committee. Persons may be admitted as visitors to this Session.
All Presbyters stationed or residing in the District are members of the Ministerial Session, as well as of the Representative Session. The Ministerial Session is a closed meeting and may be called at various times during the meeting of the District Conference.