Early Methodism, as organised by Wesley, had "local preachers" and "travelling preachers". A local preacher was a layman appointed to preach within his own circuit. A travelling preacher, or "minister" (specifically, a presbyter) in modern Methodism, is appointed by Conference to serve for a limited time in a circuit and then move around the country to any other circuit where Conference may send him. In Wesley's time, this could be as little as a few months. As Methodism became more settled as a denomination, this was from one to four years, now typically five to ten years. In recent years, some circuits may also have lay pastors.
