First: By doing no harm

How? By avoiding evil of every kind that which is generally practiced, such as:   Galatians5:15 “But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.” KJV

• The taking of the name of God in vain. Exo 20:1-
• The profaning the day of the Lord, either by doing ordinary work therein or by buying or selling. Exo 34:14
• Drunkenness: buying or selling spirituous liquors, or drinking them, unless in cases of extreme necessity.
• Fighting, quarreling, brawling, brother going to law with brother; returning evil for evil, or railing for railing; the using many words in buying or selling. James 4:1-7
• The buying or selling goods that have not paid the duty.
• The Uncharitable or unprofitable conversation; speaking evil of magistrates or of ministers. 1Peter 2:13-15
• Doing to others as we would not they should do unto us. Mtt 7:12

“Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortionist, shall inherit the kingdom of God.”

Secondly: By doing good; 1 Peter 2:15

How? By being in every kind merciful to all men: 3Jn11b, Acts 10:38,

• To physical needs, by giving food to the hungry, by clothing the naked, by visiting or helping them that are sick or in prison. Mtt 25:35-36
• To their souls, by instructing, reproving, or exhorting all we have any intercourse with; trampling under foot that enthusiastic doctrine that we are not to do good unless our hearts be free to it.” 1^st Tim4:15, 2^nd Tim 2:14-15, 3:16
• to them that are of the household of faith or groaning so to be; employing them preferably to others; buying one of another, helping each other in business, and so much the more because the world will love its own and them only. Mtt7:12, Acts 5:1-
• By all possible diligence and frugality, that the gospel be not blamed. 1Peter 3:13.

All who desire to continue in these societies should continue to evidence their desire of salvation, 1 Peter 3:12

Thirdly: Stay in Love with God:

How? ”By attending upon all the ordinances of God”; such are: Ps 105:4

• The public worship of God. 1^st Tim 2:1-4
• The ministry of the Word either read or expounded. Nehemiah 8:1-6
• The Supper of the Lord. Mtt 26:26b-30, Mk14:17-24,Lk22:14-30,Jn13:21-30
• Family and private prayer. Mk 1:35, 1^st Tim 2:8, Mtt 14:23,7;7b,9:37-38
• Searching the Scriptures. 1^st Tim 4:13, 2Tim3:15-17
• Fasting or abstinence. Neh 1:4, Mk 9:17-29, Lk9:38-42, Mtt 17:14-21

Who were are as United Methodists

There are four things you must undergo to become a member in the United Methodist church:

• Baptismal service Lk 7:28-30,Jn 3:3-5
• Profess / witness the Christian faith –Ephesians 6 :20
• Confirmed or catechist Mtt 28:20, Acts 8:26-38
• Received in a United Methodist membership thro a reception service, Acts 10:2-5,34-48

a) Central Conferences

The UMC has been organized into regions called Central conference outside USA and Jurisdictional conferences which are created by the General conference in accordance to para ¶540. Today, ¶540 (3.). The United Methodist Church outside the United States the church is divided into seven Central Conferences in three continents namely; Africa, Europe and Philippines:

The central conference have the authority to edit and publish a own central conference book of discipline

The central conferences are authorized by the General Conference,

The General Conference provides to  central conference shall have a total of at least thirty clergy and thirty lay delegates on the basis of representation as set forth in this section, except as the General Conference may fix a different number.

There are five Jurisdictional (regions) in the United States of America of which each has eight to 15 Annual Conferences. And seven (7) Central Conferences outside America – three in Africa:

1. West Africa,
2. The Congo and
3. Africa Central Conferences and
4. Central and South Europe Central Conference;
5. Germany Central Conference;
6. Northern Europe Central Conference;
7. Philippines Central Conference.

These conferences meet every four years after the general conference sitting.

b) Annual Conference

The Term Annual conference refers to both the geographical boundaries of the conference and to the yearly meeting of the members of the annual conference.

Annual conference are Authorized by Central conference or jurisdiction conference apart from the Missionary conference which is created by the General Conference.

Therefore, United Methodist Churches in the outside the United States, has annual conferences, provisional annual conferences, missionary conferences, mission conferences, and missions, in such numbers as the General Conference by a two-thirds vote shall determine.

Each local church is located within a district, and each district is located within an annual conference.

Annual Conference is formed from a multiple districts, connected to one another.

 The churches of the Annual Conference work together in lots of ways:

• sending local churches leaders to work on conference boards and committees,
• identifying candidates for ministry,
• giving financial support to ministries and mission projects sponsored by the Conference,

The important functions of annual conference

• Annual Conference elects delegates to General Conference and the Central Conference.
• Annual conference also determines who shall be admitted to its membership, Ordained, retired or granted special leave.
• Annual Conference votes on all constitutional amendments as they may be proposed.

Annual Conference membership includes all the clergy members of the conference and at least an equal number of lay members. Each local charge has at least one lay member of the annual conference who is elected by the local church charge conference.

2. Council of Bishops

This is an executive branch which implements what is passed at the legislative sessions. However, UMC has no single executive officer but Council of Bishops elects a president who serves two years.  The Council of Bishops is made up of all Active and retired Bishops of the United Methodist Church.

The Council of Bishops speaks to the Church and from the Church speaks to the world.

The Council of Bishops gives leadership in quest for Christian Unity and Inter-religious relationships.

Bishop serves as a general superintendent of the entire United Methodist Church.

Bishop in the UMC tradition, bishops are not ordained but elected among ordained clergies (specifically the order of elders) and consecrated to the office of a Bishop.

Bishops presides over annual Conference, Central Conferences and also general conference sessions.

3. Judicial Council

It is the denomination’s “supreme court” interprets church law and determines constitutionality of proceedings at all levels of the church life, namely at General Conference, jurisdictional / Central Conferences, Annual Conferences, District Conference  and Charge / Circuits/ Parish as well as Local Church. It’s a nine member elected at the general conference.

1. Agencies (Ministries) - The term agency describes various councils, boards, commissions, committees, divisions or other unity. A general agency operates at the general church level. General agencies are created by and responsible to the General Conference. The purposes of the general agencies or ministries provide resources and services that will enable individual congregations to serve God effectively in the world.
2. Districts and charges / Parishes and projects - Each District has unique success and challenges, Just like our political governments still fighting for the enemies of the societies in Africa for development. The UMC is neither left behind today is being challenged with ignorance, Poverty and Diseases.

            All Districts Share Challenges to Building Congregations:

• Lack of Trained and Ordained Pastors - “Illiteracy or Ignorance”
• Minimal salary support to Pastors churches not able to give enough support
• Lack of Land and Church Buildings to propagate evangelism;
• Poverty eating the Christians in the societies / local churches.