What is a Circuit Steward?

The role of circuit steward is an important one in the life of the Methodist Church. It is also a personal vocation and part of an individual’s discipleship: how we respond to God’s love in Christ. Discipleship is – or should be – at the root of all that we find ourselves doing in the service of the Church and the world. This includes serving as a circuit steward.

The circuit is a key structure in Methodism. It is to circuits, not churches, that presbyters and deacons are stationed. And Methodism acknowledges that it is the circuit that is “the primary unit in which Local Churches express and experience their interconnexion in the Body of Christ, for purposes of mission, mutual encouragement and help” (SO 500(1)).

The role of a circuit steward can be demanding. But those who have taken on this responsibility point to how rewarding and stimulating it can be as they seek to support and shape the circuit in response to the needs and challenges of its local area.

Circuit stewards play a vital role in the teams which lead local churches within Methodist Circuits. They work in partnership with presbyters, deacons, church workers and other circuit stewards to enable individuals and communities to find fulfilment and belonging within the Church.

Read about the Methodist Church's priorities in Our Calling.

As the role is voluntary circuit stewards carry out their responsibilities alongside full-time jobs, family commitments and other responsibilities. So, patience and a sense of humour are essential criteria for the job!

Circuit stewards have a range of duties and these are set out in The Constitutional Practice and Discipline of the Methodist Church, which is known as CPD. To find out more about this follow this link.