This morning at Fisk, I shared the following with the congregation:
Many of you have followed the story of Pastor Frank Shaeffer who was brought up on charges in the United Methodist Church for conducting a same sex wedding. All United Methodist ministers enter into a covenant with one another and the church to abide by the Book of Discipline which governs our church life. By performing a same sex marriage, Pastor Shaeffer violated that covenant, since the Book of Discipline expressly forbids a United Methodist minister conducting such a wedding. He is, however, a father, and the person whom he married was his son. As a parent, he also has a covenant this one with his family, to love and support his children. Caught between two competing covenants, he chose to perform the wedding and affirm his son.
Some have asked for my opinion on this matter. I choose not to give an opinion, however, I shall share one fact. I, too, have performed a same sex wedding. I say this not out of guilt or out of pride, but simply to state the fact. Each of us on our faith journey may be called upon to make difficult choices which may disappoint some and please others. I hope that when we are called upon to make such choices we will do so in all humility, with prayer, and in the hopes that we are reflecting the love of Jesus through our actions.
Many of you have followed the story of Pastor Frank Shaeffer who was brought up on charges in the United Methodist Church for conducting a same sex wedding. All United Methodist ministers enter into a covenant with one another and the church to abide by the Book of Discipline which governs our church life. By performing a same sex marriage, Pastor Shaeffer violated that covenant, since the Book of Discipline expressly forbids a United Methodist minister conducting such a wedding. He is, however, a father, and the person whom he married was his son. As a parent, he also has a covenant this one with his family, to love and support his children. Caught between two competing covenants, he chose to perform the wedding and affirm his son.
Some have asked for my opinion on this matter. I choose not to give an opinion, however, I shall share one fact. I, too, have performed a same sex wedding. I say this not out of guilt or out of pride, but simply to state the fact. Each of us on our faith journey may be called upon to make difficult choices which may disappoint some and please others. I hope that when we are called upon to make such choices we will do so in all humility, with prayer, and in the hopes that we are reflecting the love of Jesus through our actions.
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