This Week in Texas Methodist History November 18

Church member Implores District Superintendent to “Move my Preacher to Prevent a Killing”

One of the best known features of Methodist polity is its provision for annual appointments.  Preachers are appointed to a church for one year, subject to reappointment.  Once there was a two year rule, later modified to four years.  Every preacher was required after being at a church after two years and later four years. 

Frequent moves were an expectation for both preachers and laity. 

The bishop of the annual conference makes those appointments with the assistance of the district superintendents.   Although a request for moving a preacher should come only through the Staff Parish Relations Committee, sometimes individuals request a move without going through channels.  

I ran across the following letter addressed to a district superintendent.  The date is 1953.  I have redacted the names but preserved original spelling.

Dear Brother L….,

At the last stewart meeting at B. . .    (Pastor) S. . . sed a lot of untruthful and ugly things about me.  He sed it before all that was their; my husband has not hird about it, but when he does I no he will take his gun and hunt S. . . up.   Brother L. . .wont you just please move S. . . before there is a killing?   Sam S. . . is also full up on S. . .mistreating his mother Mrs. S. . .has been on the edge of a nirvos Breakdown ever since she went to see you.  Wont you please move S. . .before there is a killing?