New Methodist Conference

{{Short description|Methodist denomination}}

{{Infobox Christian denomination

|name = New Methodist Conference

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|main_classification = Methodism

|orientation = High church

|theology = Wesleyan

|polity = Episcopal

|founded_date = 2005

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|separated_from = United Methodist Church

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|website = [https://www.newmethodist.org/ New Methodist Conference (NMC)]

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The New Methodist Conference (NMC) is a Methodist denomination with a liturgically high church orientation.{{cite book |last1=Byrne |first1=Julie |title=The Other Catholics: Remaking America's Largest Religion |date=24 May 2016 |publisher=Columbia University Press|isbn=978-0-231-54170-1 |page=53 |language=en}}

The formation of the New Methodist Conference is a part of the history of Methodism in the United States. It originated as a schism with the United Methodist Church in 2005, being formed by Rob Jones and Deborah Giordano, who were formerly United Methodist clergy.{{cite web |last1=Heath |first1=Elaine A. |title=Longing for Spring |url=https://www.ministrymatters.com/all/entry/3216/longing-for-spring |publisher=Ministry Matters |access-date=10 August 2023 |language=English |date=5 September 2012}} The denomination ordains clergy in apostolic succession, which trace through Old Catholic lines of the historic episcopate; these include the threefold office of deacon, priest, and bishop. It does affirm the ordination of women in Methodism.{{cite web |last1=Giordano |first1=Deborah Beach |title=Who We Are |url=https://www.inklingscommunity.org/overview.html |publisher=Inklings Community |access-date=10 August 2023 |language=English}} The New Methodist Conference encourages expressions of Methodist Christian monasticism.{{cite book |last1=Heath |first1=Elaine A. |last2=Kisker |first2=Scott T. |title=Longing for Spring: A New Vision for Wesleyan Community |date=26 May 2011 |publisher=Lutterworth Press |isbn=978-0-7188-4297-0 |page=42 |language=en}}

The name "New Methodist Conference" (later called the Evangelical Association) was used by the connexion established in the 1700s under the leadership of Jacob Albright, a Lutheran who converted to Methodism and was ordained in that denomination after accepting the Methodist teachings on the New Birth and entire sanctification.{{cite book |last1=Joyner |first1=F. Belton |title=Being United Methodist in the Bible Belt: A Theological Survival Guide for Youth, Parents, and Other Confused United Methodists |date=1 January 2008 |publisher=Westminster John Knox Press |isbn=978-0-664-23168-2 |page=85 |language=en}}