The government of the United Methodist Church is a complex arrangement of councils and conferences frequently called the "connectional system." Both clergy and laity are elected to serve on the governing bodies of the church.

Episcopacy: Methodist bishops are elected for life from the ranks of the ministry. They function as both spiritual and administrative leaders for their area, and participate in governing the whole church organization.

Conferences: Conferences are made up of both clergy and laity. General Conference: the primary law-making body Jurisdictional Conferences: elect bishops and direct church programs (there are 5 Jurisdictional Conferences). Annual Conference: basic unit of the church District Conference: organized in the Annual Conference Charge Conference: governing body of a local pastoral unit

Judicial Council: The nine-member lay and clerical Judicial Council is the court of ultimate appeal in the church. The authority and basis of all decisions is The Book of Discipline.

Boards and Agencies: These governing bodies are set up by the General Conference and are coordinated by a General Council on Ministries: General Boards: Direct major programs such as education, discipleship, ministry, etc. Commissions: Direct work in the areas of religion and race, role and status of women, etc. Committees: For specific or temporary tasks

The Local Council: United Methodists think of the local church as the visible extension of Christ in the world today. The local church council recommends church programs and sets up committees to direct them. Areas of concern include: Ecumenical and Interreligious Concerns Education Evangelism Global Ministry Church and Society Stewardship Worship

The current Leadership of Howland United Methodist Church is set up according to this structure.

Information is from the following resource:

About Being United Methodist Greenfield, MA: Channing L. Bete Co., Inc., 1975 (1977 Edition)