It’s a sad day for United Methodists (who aren’t very united or Methodist anymore).  The Judicial Council has failed to uphold the decision of the General Conference to end the long-standing guaranteed appointment for United Methodist clergy. Only fools would make a decision to keep such a debilitating practice.  No one should be guaranteed a job for life, no matter how effective they are. It’s just plain stupid. It took great courage for the General Conference to vote to end the practice. It’s not easy asking people to vote themselves out of a possible job, but they did. My hat is off to the delegates of the General Conference for their courage. For the life of me, I simply can’t fathom making this decision.