Editing Episcopal polity (section)

==Methodist churches==
{{Further|Connexionalism}}
A number of [[Methodism|Methodist churches]] often use episcopal polity for historical as well as practical reasons, albeit to limited use. Methodists often use the term ''[[connexionalism]]'' or ''connexional polity'' in addition to "episcopal". Nevertheless, the powers of the Methodist episcopacy can be relatively strong and wide-reaching compared to traditional conceptions of episcopal polity. 

In the [[Free Methodist Church]], bishops are elected.<ref name="Finley2023">{{cite web |last1=Finley |first1=Jeff |title=Cowart, Martin, Kolde to Lead FMCUSA as Bishops |url=https://www.gc23.org/news/cowart-martin-kolde-to-lead-fmcusa-as-bishops |publisher=Free Methodist Church |access-date=21 May 2024 |date=26 July 2023}}</ref>

In the [[United Methodist Church]], bishops are elected for life, can serve up to two terms in a specific conference (three if special permission is given), are responsible for ordaining and appointing clergy to pastor churches, perform many administrative duties, preside at the annual sessions of the regional Conferences and at the quadrennial meeting of the worldwide General Conference, have authority for teaching and leading the church on matters of social and doctrinal import, and serve to represent the denomination in ecumenical gatherings. United Methodist bishops in the United States serve in their appointed conferences, being moved to a new "Episcopal Area" after 8 (or 12) years, until their mandated retirement at the end of the quadrennium following their sixty-sixth birthday.<ref>[http://www.umc.org/interior.asp?ptid=21&mid=5860 Still in Production] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050427100231/http://www.umc.org/interior.asp?ptid=21&mid=5860 |date=2005-04-27 }}. UMC.org. Retrieved on 2013-07-23.</ref>

The [[Methodist Church in Great Britain]] holds that all ordained ministers are equal in terms of spirituality. However, for practical management lines are drawn into President of Conference, Chair of District, Superintendent Minister, Minister. However, all are ministers. The [[Fellowship of Independent Methodist Churches]] is non-episcopal. Similarly, the [[Congregational Methodist Church]] has a [[congregational polity]].