United Methodism has always been centered on the people, where they live and where they work. Methodism began in streets fields and only reluctantly built and occupied churches. All were called to be ministers. Yet, some were called to minister to the ministers, and so the professional clergy came into being. The General Conference of 1996 altered the structure of Clergy somewhat. Following are the origins of the Clergy as Methodism first experienced them.

1. Traveling Preachers - Some lay preachers were actually traveling preachers, who later were ordained. The senior ordained preachers became "Assistants" to John Wesley. They later became Superintendents.

2. Local Preachers - Some of these Local Preachers were Lay Preachers. For a variety of reasons, local Preachers typically did not itinerate.

3. Preachers in Connexion - Ordination of ministers at Conference distinguished the ordination of Methodist ministers from that of dissenting ministers. Their reception into full connexion was a feature retained from Methodism's origins as a 'connexion' of societies, and indicate that a minister is ordained to the whole Church, and not to a 'title' or 'pastoral call.' The connexional principle is a vital structural expression of the interdependence of all churches.

4. Bishops- episkopoi or bishops and presbyters or elders is a term to describe oversight wider than that of a pastor. It involves pastoral care of a number of pastors and their congregations. In British Methodism episkope resides, not in episkopoi, but in conference. (There is no Bishop in British Methodism). In American Methodism, more episkope resides in the individual, though the General and Annual Conferences are still important.

In order to establish a pattern for church programs and worship services certain characteristics became common to the Methodist way. The Moravians more than any other single source provided patterns which Wesley followed and encouraged in the Methodist Societies. For example, prominent in the services were the following:

1. Love Feasts provided frank fellowship and expressions of freedom, equality, and brother-hood. It was not a substitute for the Lord's Supper.

2. Watch night services began at Kingswood, Bristol. They were held monthly. These later gave way to annual New Year's eve services.

3. Mid-week preaching services became the basis of weekly worship in all chapels and preaching-houses which declined use of Sunday Service or Book of Common Prayer for non-eucharistic services.

4. Preaching Services, consisting of two hymns, a prayer, and a sermon became the norm.

5. Hymns - Each of Wesley's services was enlivened not only by extempore prayer and preaching, but also by the place assigned for hymns. The Wesleys published 60 hymn books. In Georgia John Wesley introduced the singing of hymns in worship, as opposed to metrical psalms. His Collection of Psalms and Hymns was the first American hymn book.

6. Continuity - As an important landmark in the growing identification of Methodism as a distinct denomination, John Wesley provided that Charles Wesley should succeed him. Charles would be followed by William Grimshaw. After Grimshaw, the responsibility fell to the yearly Conference of the people called Methodist.