The Professional Association of United Methodist Church Secretaries was organized on April 14, 1982, in Dallas, Texas. At this inaugaral meeting, keynote speakers included representatives from the National Presbyterian Secretarial Association, the Board of Higher Education and Ministry, and the United Methodist Communications Council. Officers were elected, and plans for the future were discussed.
Since then, PAUMCS has offered in-person, annual meetings in locations around the United States, with the exception of two years. In 2020 the conference was canceled due to COVID, and the 2021 conference was held online.
By 1984, the Board of Higher Education confirmed the identity of PAUMCS by appointing a liasion, working committees were formed, and an official logo was adopted.
The General Council on Finance & Administration began providing a liasion to PAUMCS in 1986, and the first Certification Course was held at Emory University, Atlanta, GA July 21-25, 1986. There were 27 participants in that first class. The Certification Class is now on-line and offered annually.
Legislation was adopted at the 1988 General Conference (and updated in subsequent years) stating the General Council on Finance and Administration (GCFA) has the authority and responsibility: To provide guidance and consultation to individuals providing services to the Church in the following areas: local church business administration; administrative assistance; equitable compensation; information technology; and legal guidance to annual conferences. Such guidance and consultation may, as the council deems appropriate, include: establishing relevant professional standards, training programs, continuing education, and certifications; encouraging participation in associations related to these services (for example, the Professional Administrators of the United Methodist Church Connectional Structure (PAUMCS), the United Methodist Network of Practice, the National Association of Commissions on Equitable Compensation of The United Methodist Church, the United Methodist Information Technology Association, and the United Methodist Church Conference Chancellors Association, or similar organizations); and providing staff and/or in-kind services to such associations. (United Methodist Book of Discipline, 2020/2024, ¶807.19).
In 2003 the first Advanced Certification Class was offered, with eleven participants. This was to be the only Advanced Certification Class for many years, until the course was revamped and offered again beginning in 2018. It is held every two years and is in-person.
At the 2017 Annual Conference, and with the support of GCFA, the body approved a name change for the organization. The new name is “Professional Administrators of The United Methodist Connectional Structure” allowing the continued use of the acronym PAUMCS (pronounced paw-MICKs).