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United Methodist clergy have long had the guarantee of paid assignments in a pulpit or other ministries, but an interim study is recommending that the denomination’s 2012 General Conference end the practice, which one study commission member said has led to “a culture of mediocrity” among ministers.

The report, presented to the United Methodist Council of Bishops at its recent spring meeting, recommends that bishops retain their right to appoint clergy to different posts. The Commission to Study the Ministry will not release its final report until sometime next year.