Posted on 06/25/2014 3:48:54 PM PDT by Faith Presses On
A United Methodist Church pastor defrocked for officiating his son's same-sex marriage had his clergy credentials reinstated by a church court on appeal.
Frank Schaefer, a Pennsylvania pastor defrocked last December, was reinstated Tuesday courtesy a decision from the Northeastern Jurisdictional Committee on Appeals.
In a statement following the decision, Schaefer called the appeals committee's decision "a hopeful sign for our LGBTQ community."
"They recognized that I was wrongfully punished for standing with those who are discriminated against," said Schaefer immediately following the decision.
"Today's decision shows that the church is moving toward love over legalism. It is the path that so many in the church have been modeling already. Indeed, people throughout the United Methodist Church, who invited me into their pulpits, sat with me at their dinner tables and supported my family with their donations, have refrocked me already."
.....
Regarding the news of Schaefer's reinstatement, John Lomperis of the Institute on Religion and Democracy denounced the decision as "disappointing and entirely unsurprising."
"Committee members had agreed to the job of simply upholding our biblical standards, but instead abused their position to illegitimately impose their personal agendas on the church," said Lomperis in a statement."It is beyond hypocritical for Mr. Schaefer and his supporters to profess concern with upholding our denomination's standards as part of their integrity-lacking campaign to undermine our standards."
With Schaefer's credentials restored, Bishop Minerva G. Carcaño of the Los Angeles Area has announced her assigning of Schaefer to a student ministry in Santa Barbara, California.
(Excerpt) Read more at christianpost.com ...
The absolute worst part about this is that he did it for his son. Other gay people came to him and he turned them away on principle. Then his son comes to him and principle goes out the window. If he really believed in gay marriage, he should have done it for other gays. If he believes its an article of Christian faith that marriage is between an man and woman, he should have not officiated at his son's gay "wedding." So he's even worse than a minister who advocates for gay marriage -- he's someone whose principles depend on how much he likes or cares for someone.
He can become a satanist elder
Was he promoted, too?
I missed the part in the New Testament about exemptions for family members.
Could there have been a foreword that got misplaced?
Uhmmmmm K.
“Today’s decision shows that the church is moving toward love over legalism...”
Well, it is possible to love someone as an individual but, recognize their sinful way in a way that doesn’t dehumanize and possibly brings them closer to God.
But, the church, all churches have the duty to act in ways that are consistent with Biblical teaching.
You don’t run around giving sermons and blessings to the “So Called Marriage” of John and Steve”. Particularly as the Minister of a congregation.
You are suppose to be the leader and that requires tough choices.
You can still love your son but, not recognize this abomination.
Homosexual.....Not happy
Who are these people in the church making these decisions? Are they elected to their positions? Are they Christians or secular?
They are wishy-washy people who believe in "feel good" Christianity in which God loves everyone and there are no rules. Its why main line Protestant churches will all be converted to condos, historical sites and mosques within the next 20 or 30 years.
There was a time on America was the head. Now it is the tail. Church used to lead culture. Now culture leads the Church.
It looks like the UMC, like the Presbyterian church among others, has been infiltrated by Satan.
I'd bet there will be many people in hell who will claim they're only there because God unfairly discriminated against them.
Uh-oh...
fyi ping
Essentially lifted from Joseph Fletcher's Situation Ethics
The mainline Presbyterian group, PCUSA, is extremely liberal. There are conservative Presbyterian churches - Orthodox Presbyterian Church (OPC) and the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) for example.
Anyone know what the Q is in LGBTQ? Does it stand for queer?
I can see part of the problem right there.
Yes, you are right. They do not care what Jesus taught in His word. If it feels good, do it. A lot of so called religious people on tv are the same way. I quit watching all of them. It seems that most only want “seed” money to get more. Funny, but I never read anything about that. Was changing channels the other night and the guy wanted so many people to give a certain amount to get a lot more back. He said God told him the exact number of people and the amount. Why aren’t they teaching from the Bible?
Looked it up and that is what it stands for or questioning.
Isn’t that special.
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