Notice what the UMC has done or should I say not done.
They have provided a way, as they have in the past, for this pastor to continue. I'm sure
that Schaefer will find a weaselly way of avoiding defrocking. The question that is put to him is whether he will adhere to the Discipline and its prohibition on same-sex ceremonies. I believe that, given 30 days to think about it, he will decide that he can find a way to say that he will, even though he has no intention of doing so. For instance, if no one has asked him to perform such a ceremony, he can truthfully answer that he doesn’t foresee doing one. The jury will accept that answer, despite its transparent phoniness. Call me cynical, but, as I have said, I've seen this movie before the UMC, when an annual conference is determined to avoid applying the Discipline properly.
BTW, there is no doubt in my mind that the same split that has happened in the Episcopal Church, PCUSA, & ELCA over sanctioning of same-sex unions is headed to the UMC.
The question isn't 'if', but 'when'.
The decision made to 'suspend' this pastor might have meant something had their been consequences clause along the lines of if you are caught doing this again, then the stripping of credentials will be automatic and swift - no need to wait for a statement from the minster. That just might give him pause and test how much he wants to remain part of the UMC church.
I suspect he will find another church better *suited* to his way of thinking. I suspect he would be very happy in The Episcopal Church where the LGBTXYZ crowd is running the show.
Its a clear indication that they have moved away from being scriptural & ignored being obedient. I once thought that people were being too concerned with this one point.....and that is because before I was saved I felt I could operate with impunity & God would just give me a wink & a nod and everything would be just A OK! Thats before I was saved.
That is your opinion, and you are welcome to it. Many interpret the scriptures differently on this point, including many conservatives and fundamentalists.
Well then enlighten me. Show me in scriptures where it allows for Women to be pastors & to preach to congregations.
Frankly on Sunday morning, I had to walk out of a church service because they had a woman minister presiding. Because of the clear teaching of 1 Corinthians 14:34,35 and 1 Timothy 2:11,12