Gay Michigan pastor marries partner days after being forced to resign [UMC]

Kalamazoo Gazette ^ | 7/19/15 | Emily Monacelli

[markomalley]

An openly gay United Methodist pastor said his "I Dos" in front of more than 30 clergy members and 100 guests Friday, days after he was forced to resign for having a partner.

The Rev. Benjamin Hutchison married his partner, Monty Hutchison, in a ceremony on the steps of the historic Cass County Courthouse.

Hutchison called it a joyous occasion.

"Walking around the courthouse and seeing all the support, seeing all clergy there gathered standing there saying that they support it, they're not opposed to it, it really was a blessing today."

Hutchison, 31, resigned earlier this week from his position as senior pastor at Cassopolis United Methodist Church Monday, where he had worked since January 2013, after the bishop's office received a report that he had a gay partner. Hutchison said he would have been fired had he not resigned.

Hutchison said it had been well known and accepted in the congregation that he is gay, and he even had legally changed his last name to Hutchison, his partner's last name, in February 2013. Hutchison said he understood when he took the job it might be difficult for the congregation and he understood it was against the United Methodist discipline.

The church accepts members who are gay, but its Books of Discipline states " ... "self-avowed practicing homosexuals are not to be certified as candidates, ordained as ministers, or appointed to serve in The United Methodist Church."

The confrontation and Hutchison's resignation came as a blow to the congregation. Parishioners say Hutchison turned the Cassopolis United Methodist Church from one that was dying to one that was gaining new members. Hutchison said the church now has more than 140 members in its directory and it recently has become financially solvent.

Pastor Mark Thompson of Faith United Methodist Church in Grand Rapids officiated the ceremony with Ginny Mikita, a candidate for ordination within the United Methodist Church.

"I believe that Benjamin and Monty are very much in love and they deserve to be married and to celebrate the gift of love that God gave them," Thompson said.

Mikita said the United Methodist Church not approving of gay marriage has been her greatest stumbling block for continuing her candidacy. But, Mikita said, she felt the day was one of celebration and rejoicing.

"To be here today for Benjamin David, who had been a dear friend, ... to be able to walk that walk with him from the moment we met back in 2008 'til now, it's just remarkable," Mikita said.

Mikita said it was critical for Hutchison to have support for his ceremony on Friday.

"I believe that there is a swell of support that already exists within the denomination (of Hutchison)," Mikita said. "It only continues to grow, and I think it was evidenced here by the number of clergy that showed up not only from West Michigan congregations and conferences, but I met folks that came from the Detroit area and Illinois to be here today to demonstrate their support."

Mikita said the county clerk's office closed at 12:15 p.m. Friday for the ceremony, and to show support for the Hutchisons.

Rich First, a Stevensville resident who attended Hutchison's ceremony, credited Hutchison with pulling him out of his depression.

"I was very depressed, and one meeting with this pastor brought (me) out of depression so far that I started coming (to the church)," First said. "You would not believe the ability that this pastor has to make the whole church cry, laugh, rejoice you name it. I haven't been to church for 30 years and one afternoon with him changed that. I knew he was gay and the church knew too."

The Methodist Church has released a statement to media stating it will not comment on personnel matters such as Hutchison's. The statement goes on to say that the church's clergy and laity will discuss the church's official position on gay pastors at its General Conference in May 2016 in Portland, Ore.

Hutchison said he sees some change happening within the church, but would like to see it change further.

"I want the church to change," Hutchison said. "I believe the congregation, specifically in Cassopolis and Southwest Michigan and the Chicago area, has changed. The members have changed. They understand it. My members were in full support."

[Morpheus2009]

Yes, but the fact is, division is inevitable, even Jesus said around 2,000 years ago, that people would divide over his own words. It’s happening. And frankly, it’s about time for whatever Church, to divide as needed to stay true to the word.

[Morpheus2009]

It also took less than 10 percent of the German population having membership in the Nazi Party, and even fewer in the SS, to carry out the Holocaust.

Also worth thinking about, in addition to what you just said.

[cport]

"I want the church to change," Hutchison said.

And here is the crux of the matter. Jesus came and established the church to change the world, not the other way around.

[Morpheus2009]

Even moreso, Israel is a fairly free nation in the Middle East compared to many of the other ones, and that’s not kidding. I never understand to this day, why so many people in the American Progressive side hate the nation of Israel, which allows plenty of open homosexuality, yet the Progressives hate it anyway. It’s not even rational.

[xzins]

Thanks for the info on Michigan.

The church hierarchy is another subject. I imagine they are mostly heretical.

[af_vet_1981]

It’s not even rational.

No, it is irrational, as if an evil spirit moves them they know not whither.

[Bryanw92]

>>Gather like-minded members, and sign a petition to the Pastor Parish Committee.

Before I gave up on the UMC, I was SPRC chairman for 3 years and then Church Council Chairman for 3 years. Don’t do the petition. The DS and Bishop will ignore it. Have individual members bring their own complaint to SPRC. Regardless of the number of signatures, a petition is one complaint. Two individuals bringing the same grievance to SPRC is two complaints.

[laweeks]

United Methodists are not of one mind regarding homosexuality and gay marriage.

Yeah, and they can't even find humanity of the unborn to have a common pro-Life stand either. I'm fed up with the UMC and the rest of Christianity who concern themselves with marketing and political correctness rather than what the BIBLE CLEARLY SAYS!

I can't even get my local UMC pastor to condemn homosexual marriage and to admit that he'd refuse to wed them. DISGUSTING!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Albion Wilde]

My personal prayer is for a denominational split.

It worked for the LCMS and the ELCA. The problem remains of the progressives who purposely infiltrate the conservative branch with the goal of changing it to their demonic point of view. As you indicate, the strength to resist turns on the convictions of the top leadership.

The fact that the National Condference will be held in Oregon is not good -- the remote state having fun persecuting Christian cake bakers. I'm thinking they will try to pack the proceedings with leftcoasters. Hope the Africans fly in as previous to help hold the line. Ironic, isn't it?

Prayers up. Are you going?

[Albion Wilde]

Actually, I’d put its beginning at the merger with the United Brethren to become the United Methodist Church. Mid-60s - downhill ever since

I must agree. Recently I went to a "traditional Anglican" church that is one that did not follow the Episcopal Church (ECUSA)'s slide into homosexualism. I was so moved by the liturgy, completely reminiscent of my childhood in the Methodist Episcopal faith.

[Albion Wilde]

Good to “see” you. Haven’t run across your posts in a long time.

[jagusafr]

I spent my high school years in an Anglican church (that was one of two choices in Caracas for English-speakers)and got a bit bored with the liturgy’s repetitiveness. Then I grew up - 20 years later, I realized that virtually all that stuff came from Scripture or one of the Creeds, and that I had memorized it an now knew what it meant! There are times when I love the liturgy - more and more as I get tired of the emotional manipulation (probably unintentional) that happens (or is attempted) at our contemporary service (and I’m a worship leader/musician). Problem is, the “traditional” service doesn’t use liturgy either. Not sure where Mrs. jagusafr and I will end up, now that the kids are grown. I want the teaching of an Acts 29 church without the smoke machines.

[Albion Wilde]

I would’ve let the blasphemer have it right in the middle of his diatribe.

I did that in the 90s in a Methodist Church where I had been a board member during a "let's all sing kumbaya about gay relationships and gay pastors" sermon — stood up and rebuked, quoting the Bible, and walked out — but no one went with me, then or in the months to follow. I got a list of sins with mine highlighted in yellow marker mailed to me by the pastors, and one phone call from a member who would miss my hard work on her committee, but that was that.

[xzins]

No, I’m not invited. :>)

Oregan is far, far away from me. I don’t doubt the usual suspects will have their little demonstrations, but the Good News folks are saying their initial tracking of conservative US delegates PLUS conservative African delegates says that nothing in the denomination will change. I keep hoping that frustration with another loss will cause the homosexualists to scream for division.

[kcvl]

Thanks, took a little time away. It all gets a little overwhelming sometimes.

[Albion Wilde]

May I cordially recommend the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod? (This is the apostolic faith, NOT the pro-progressive Evangelica Lutheran Church in America ELCA.) It is nationwide, well-organized with schools, a national website with study materials, various publications and a generally intelligent flock who also believe the inerrancy of scripture.

Christ Our Savior Lutheran Church
  - Christ Our Savior Lutheran Early Childcare
  - Lutheran High School Association of San Antonio
  5323 Blanco Rd, San Antonio, TX, 78216-7025

Concordia Lutheran Church
  -Concordia Lutheran School
  16801 Huebner Rd, San Antonio, TX

Crown Of Life Lutheran Church
  - Crown of Life Lutheran Pre-School
  19291 Stone Oak Pkwy, San Antonio, TX, 78258-3254

Holy Cross Lutheran Church
  - Lutheran High School Association of San Antonio
  3118 S New Braunfels Ave, San Antonio, TX, 78210-525
  (210 )532-1300

Immanuel Lutheran Church
  130 Saipan Pl, San Antonio, TX, 78221-2927
  (210) 923-2233
  Email  ilc2006@sbcglobal.net

King Of Kings Lutheran Church
  - King of Kings Lutheran Early Childhood Development Center
  13888 Dreamwood Dr, San Antonio, TX, 78233-4913

Messiah Lutheran Church
  9401 Dietz Elkhorn Rd, Boerne, TX, 78015-4933

Mount Calvary Lutheran Church
  308 Mount Calvary Dr, San Antonio, TX, 78209-4846

Mount Olive Lutheran Church
  - Mt Olive Lutheran Daycare and Learning Center
  - Mission Evangelica Luterana
  3200 W Loop 1604 S, San Antonio, TX, 78245

Redeemer Lutheran Church
  2507 Fredericksburg Rd, San Antonio, TX, 78201-3711

Saint Paul Lutheran Church
  St Paul Lutheran Child Development Center
  2302 S Presa St, San Antonio, TX, 78210-2840

  Shepherd Of The Hills Lutheran Church
  - Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran School
  - Lutheran High School Association of San Antonio
  6914 Wurzbach Rd, San Antonio, TX, 78240-3832

[Albion Wilde]

...the Good News folks are saying their initial tracking of conservative US delegates PLUS conservative African delegates says that nothing in the denomination will change.

That IS good news!

I keep hoping that frustration with another loss will cause the homosexualists to scream for division.

Can't they be excommunicated?

[AppyPappy]

Your sin was quoting the Bible.

I’ll take that rebuke all day long.

[Albion Wilde]

I spent my high school years in an Anglican church...and got a bit bored with the liturgy’s repetitiveness. Then I grew up - 20 years later, I realized that virtually all that stuff came from Scripture or one of the Creeds, and that I had memorized it an now knew what it meant!

Amazing how that happens, isn't it? I had similar awakening when, after becoming disillusioned with church and hitting a bad patch in my life, the words to the hymns started coming back to me while sobbing in the shower. I later realized most of the Methodist Hymnal lyrics of he time (now there is a bunch of revisionist crap in the MH) came from scripture or psalms.

God bless Charles Wesley and Fanny Crosby (the most prolific Methodist hymnists). The only thing I miss about my present migration away from UMC is the hymns.

[Albion Wilde]

:-)