By Michael Gryboski A United Methodist Church pastor based in Texas will undergo an investigation for performing a same-sex marriage in defiance of the church body’s law. Bishop Michael McKee of the North Texas Annual Conference announced Monday that retired clergyman the Reverend Bill McElvaney would undergo a “supervisory process.” “Administrative and pastoral in nature,…
By Michael Gryboski Conservative members of the United Methodist Church have expressed disappointment over a bishop’s refusal to punish a clergyman who violated church rules by officiating his son’s gay wedding. The Rev. Dr. Thomas Ogletree, former dean of Yale Divinity School, officiated at the same-sex wedding of his son in 2012. A complaint was…
By Renee K. Gadoua, Religion News Service The Rev. Frank Schaefer was defrocked by United Methodist officials in Pennsylvania on Thursday (Dec. 19), after he refused to conform to denominational rules that prohibit ministers from officiating at same-sex weddings. Schaefer, who pastors a church in Lebanon, Pa., said he plans to appeal the decision. The…