connectional

Connectional is an adjective meaning relating to a connection or the process of connecting. It is formed from connection plus the suffix -al and is used in various fields to describe systems, theories, or concepts that emphasize interconnections and networks.

In religious contexts, particularly within Methodist and related Wesleyan traditions, the term describes a governance model in which local congregations are linked through a network of conferences, ministers, and oversight. A connectional church is organized so that churches are not autonomous but operate within a broader structure, with accountability and resource sharing across the connected bodies. The concept is central to descriptions of the United Methodist Church and other denominations that pursue centralized coordination or oversight across local churches.

Beyond religion, the word is used more generally to denote approaches or structures that foreground connections. In sociology and organizational studies, a connectional perspective highlights relationships, flows, and interdependencies between actors or units within a system. In information science or neuroscience, it may be used to discuss connectivity or networks among components, such as links between nodes or neurons.

Etymology wise, connectional derives from connection and the common English suffix -al, reflecting a sense of pertaining to connections. While common in specialized discourse, it is less frequently used outside technical or organizational contexts.

See also: connection, connectivity, connect, network, connectionism, connectionalism.