Jabez Bunting | |
|---|---|
 Dr Jabez Bunting by Hill & Adamson | |
| President of the Methodist Conference | |
| In office 1820–1821 | |
| Preceded by | Jonathan Crowther |
| Succeeded by | George Marsden |
| In office 1828–1829 | |
| Preceded by | John Stephens |
| Succeeded by | James Townley |
| In office 1836–1837 | |
| Preceded by | Richard Reece |
| Succeeded by | Edmund Grindrod |
| In office 1844–1845 | |
| Preceded by | John Scott |
| Succeeded by | Jacob Stanley |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 13 May 1779 Manchester, England |
| Died | 16 June 1858 (aged 79) |
| Occupation | Methodist preacher |
Jabez Bunting (13 May 1779 – 16 June 1858) was an English Wesleyan Methodist leader and the most prominent Methodist after John Wesley's death in 1791.
Bunting began as a revivalist but later became dedicated to church order and discipline. He was a popular preacher in numerous cities. He held numerous senior positions as administrator and watched budgets closely. Bunting and his allies centralised power by making the Conference the final arbiter of Methodism, and giving it the power to reassign preachers and select superintendents. He was particularly zealous in the cause of foreign missions. Politically, he was conservative, as were most Methodist leaders of the time.