Online Archives

BY SAM HODGES
UMREPORTER MANAGING EDITOR

General Conference delegates agreed today to end guaranteed appointment for ordained elders, a key change sought by reformers who said removing ineffective clergy must be easier.

The measure passed in committee overwhelmingly. But it was amended with accountability provisions, including creation of a panel to advise the bishop on qualities needed in deciding on appointments. 

Early this morning, the full General Conference approved the amended measure as part of the consent calendar, without debate.

An effort to bring the measure back up failed, with 373 voting for reconsideration and 564 against.

The motion to reconsider prompted debate, with some delegates saying guaranteed appointment helped protect the rights of women and minority clergy.

The Rev. Eric Park, a delegate and district superintendent from Pennsylvania, noted that much of Monday’s plenary was given to discussion of whether U.S. bishops should be subject to term limits.

“Justice demands that same kind of treatment” for guaranteed appointment, he said.

But the Rev. Ken Carter, a delegate and district superintendent from North Carolina, and a member of the Study of Ministry group that recommended the change, argued that it was time to act and move on.

He said while the public mission of the UMC is making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world, “our private mission has been to provide appointment for elders.”