<P> The United Methodist Church has a connectional polity, a typical feature of a number of Methodist denominations . It is organized into conferences . The highest level is called the General Conference and is the only organization which may speak officially for the UMC . The church is a member of the World Council of Churches, the World Methodist Council, and other religious associations . </P> <P> With at least 12 million members as of 2014, the UMC is the largest denomination within the wider Methodist movement of approximately 80 million people across the world . In the United States, the UMC ranks as the largest mainline Protestant denomination, the largest Protestant church after the Southern Baptist Convention, and the third largest Christian denomination . In 2014, its worldwide membership was distributed as follows: 7 million in the United States, and 4.4 million in Africa, Asia and Europe . In 2015, Pew Research estimated that 3.6 percent of the US population, or 9 million adult adherents, self - identify with the United Methodist Church revealing a much larger number of adherents than registered membership . </P> <P> The movement which would become the United Methodist Church began in the mid-18th century within the Church of England . A small group of students, including John Wesley, Charles Wesley and George Whitefield, met on the Oxford University campus . They focused on Bible study, methodical study of scripture and living a holy life . Other students mocked them, saying they were the "Holy Club" and "the Methodists", being methodical and exceptionally detailed in their Bible study, opinions and disciplined lifestyle . Eventually, the so - called Methodists started individual societies or classes for members of the Church of England who wanted to live a more religious life . </P> <P> In 1735, John and Charles Wesley went to America, hoping to teach the gospel to the American Indians in the colony of Georgia . Instead, John became vicar of the church in Savannah . His preaching was very legalistic and full of harsh rules, and the congregation rejected him . After two years in America, he returned to England dejected and confused . On his journey to America, he had been very impressed with the faith of the German Moravians on board, and when he returned to England he spent time with a German Moravian who was passing through England, Peter Böhler . Peter believed a person is saved solely through the grace of God and not by works, and John had many conversations with Peter about this topic . On May 25, 1738, after listening to a reading of Martin Luther's preface to Romans, John came to the understanding that his good works could not save him and he could rest in God's grace for salvation . For the first time in his life, he felt complete peace and the assurance of salvation . In less than two years, the "Holy Club" disbanded . John Wesley met with a group of clergy . He said "they appeared to be of one heart, as well as of one judgment, resolved to be Bible - Christians at all events; and, wherever they were, to preach with all their might plain, old, Bible Christianity". The ministers retained their membership in the Church of England . Though not always emphasized or appreciated in the Anglican churches of their day, their teaching emphasized salvation by God's grace, acquired through faith in Christ . Three teachings they saw as the foundation of Christian faith were: </P>

What does it mean to be a united methodist