Wisconsin pastor suspended for 20 days after admitting she officiated at a lesbian wedding
(UMNS)
On June 23, 2011 the trial court imposed the following penalty on Rev. Amy DeLong for performing a same-sex union:
Rev. DeLong was suspended from the exercise of the functions of an Ordained elder of The United Methodist Church for a period of 20 days beginning July 1, 2011. The suspension is to be used for spiritual discernment in preparation for a process seeking to restore the broken clergy covenant relationship. The process will include:
- An open and collaborative communication to include DeLong, Bishop Linda Lee, Rev. Jorge Mayorga Solis (Cabinet), Rev. Richard Strait (BOM) and a Wisconsin UMC elder of DeLong’s choosing.
- DeLong is to initiate a written document outlining procedures for clergy in order to help resolve issues that harm the clergy covenant, create an adversarial spirit, or lead to future clergy trials. The document is to be informed by the Bible, 2008 Book of Discipline, Judicial Council rulings and other relevant materials.
- DeLong is to write a first draft in collaboration with those named above and present to BOM by 1/1/12.
- After review and edit by DeLong and persons named above, the final document will be completed in time to be distributed to clergy before annual conference and to be acted on at the 2012 Clergy Session.
Failure of Rev. Amy DeLong to comply with the requirements will result in a suspension from the exercise of the functions of an ordained elder of The United Methodist Church for a period of a year beginning June 3, 2012.
Full details of the penalty ruling can be found on the official UMC web site HERE.
All other reports and official documents – opening and closing statements, etc. can be found HERE.
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4 Comments
by Terry C. Lowe
On June 25, 2011
If I understand the nature of God adequately, He perfectly loves everyone He has created.
Also, if I understand the nature of God adequately, He hates our sin because it puts a barrier between us and Him. For some reason, the God of perfect love has made it quite clear in His Word that the practice of homosexuality (along with many other practices) is unacceptable to Him, and I assume that is because such a practice puts a barrier between us and Him.
If I understand the nature of God adequately, He wants all to be saved from the eternal consequences of sin because of that perfect love, so He has provided a means through which we can turn from our sin (regardless of some “orientation” ) and be saved from the consequences of our sin through our faith in Jesus Christ.
If I understand the nature of God adequately, God is interested in saving us from much more than just the consequences of sin, but is even more interested in saving us from sin itself.
If I understand the nature of God adequately, the ultimate reason He wants sin removed from us is because He wants us to be controlled by the same perfect love that is natural for Him, but with which He must fill us because it is not natural for us.
If I understand the nature of God adequately, God wants to be our first love, then we can love others as we love Him and as He loves them. It seems to me that the reason God hates the practice of homosexuality (and lots of other things–like adultery) so much is because such a practice, which involves skewed affection, is a block to that person loving Him perfectly as He loves them.
If I understand the nature of God adequately, marriage of a man to a woman is the one human relationship in which both partners can become one and actually love God perfectly above all other loves.
If I understand the nature of God adequately, I think I can understand why He hates the practice of homosexuality, and any other sinful practice, so intensely.
If I understand the nature of God adequately, I think God would say to Amy, “I still love you, but you haven’t even gotten to first base yet. Keep running and find out what real life is about–and it’s not first about you or even others; it’s about Me.”
by Bevo
On June 28, 2011
I wholly agree with the above post. God is not a god of “No.” God is the God of “Yes.” Yes to Him and His ways, and the ways that lead to abundant life!
But so long as our church’s BoD conatins no punishment for clergy who openly and defiantly go against its teachings, then it is just words. If the speed limit is 35mph but there is no penality or punishment for driving 50mph, then what is the law worth? Nothing! And so long as our church’s BoD is void of any meaniful punishment for clergy who defiantly go against it, our church’s BoD is also worth nothing!
Assign punishment (such as defrocking) to UMC clergy who perform same sex unions, and our doctrine might mean something. Otherwise, it is but empty words.
by Dr. Doug Ball
On July 9, 2011
Only 20 days.. what happens if you pilfer the church accounts. She has just pilfered the Body of Christ and said it stands only for whatever is popular right now w.ith no regard forthe God’s Word
by Clayton D. Harriger
On July 13, 2011
Terry has said it so well that really there is nothing I can add except to say “Amen!” to what he has said, and the fact that he is right on target regarding the BOD. and the authority of the holy Scriptures regarding the boundaries God has drawn for human sexuality being expressed and experienced.