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The official insignia of United Methodist Men features the
central cross and flame that became the dominant feature of the 1968
United Methodist Church insignia. This signifies United Methodist
Men is a movement of men in the mainstream of the general church and in
the life of each local church. Placing the word MEN underneath the
arms of the cross carries forward the image. The organizational
name, flame, and cross are in a shield, symbolizing that the organization
is "out front" in a proclaiming stance. The continuous
outline of the shield indicates the common ground that unites church men
as disciples in Christ's ministry.
UNITED METHODIST MEN'S WORK--ITS
HERITAGE
The heritage of UNITED METHODIST MEN is a
most glorious one. The roots of METHODIST MEN are buried deep down
in the heart of Methodism and find their source n the life and work of the
founder of Methodism, John Wesley.
In the United States, work among men of The Methodist Church began with
the formation of various independent societies from 1875 to the turn of
the century. Available records refer to an organization in 1894
known as the BROTHERHOOD OF SAINT PAUL. It held what may have been
the first National Conference of Methodist Men in 1898.
At this same time, another organization called the MAZPAH BROTHERHOOD took
shape. After undergoing several re-organizations with several
changes in name, It finally formed itself into a group call the Wesley
Brotherhood. In 1907, the Brotherhood of St. Paul united with the
Wesley Brotherhood and named itself THE METHODIST BROTHERHOOD.
Later, in 1924, the Methodist Episcopal Church, South recognized the
WESLEY BROTHERHOOD as a part of the church.
In 1940, the Methodist Church sensed the untapped potential of men's work
and placed it under the leadership and promotion of the General Board of
Lay Activities. In 1942, the name METHODIST MEN was adopted along with
the present objectives, purposes, and programs.
The present history of United Methodist Men begins in 1968 with the union
of the Evangelical United Brethren and the Methodist Church. In
1972, the General Conference created the General Board of Discipleship and
United Methodist Men became a part of this division of the United Methodist
Church. As part of the General Board of Discipleship, the United
Methodist Men received each year a portion of the funds allocated to the
Board of Discipleship.
At General Conference in 1996, The United Methodist Men became a separate
entity and is now the General Commission on United Methodist Men.
The work of United Methodist Men has spread beyond the borders of the
United States. We now have chartered fellowships in Cuba, Puerto
Rico, Chile, Philippines, Hawaii, Alaska and Liberia. Correspondence
has been exchanged with UMM in Argentina, Bolivia, Cost Rica, Uruguay and Germany.
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