I'm sure I will have more to say on the case of United Methodist pastor Rev. Frank Schaefer of Lebanon, PA, as we approach the weekend. For those who haven't heard, Rev. Schaefer found himself in hot water with his denomination because he officiated at the wedding of his gay son in Massachusetts in 2007. And everybody knows in the United Methodist Church, gay people are to be seen and appreciated for their financial pledges, but they are not allowed to be ordained, and certainly not married. Oh, and they'd rather not have you in a relationship at all because that would be "contrary to Christian teaching" on homosexuality. Rev. Schaefer, because he went to Massachusetts and presided at his son's wedding, broke two rules: he celebrated a "homosexual union" and he did so in direct contradiction to the denomination's laws and canons. A 13-member jury of his Methodist minister peers found him guilty on both counts.
Guilty of what? Of celebrating the joyful union of his son to his beloved. What a sin. And Rev. Schaefer says, he'd do it again.
And he should. It takes brave people who will allow the Holy Spirit to carry them where they must go in order for the church to either follow or get out of the way of the incredible force that is Love. Bravo, Rev. Schaefer!
2 comments:
Yes, bravo Rev. Schaefer. You are a very special parent, and display lots of integrity.
Wasn't the real problem Methodists in 3rd World countries that are counted and vote with the United States Methodists?
As the number/% of 1st World US Methodists has shrunk, the % of 3rd World Methodists has increased and they didn't want gay marriage allowed in the UMC.
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