Bill McElvaney
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, this process seeks a just resolution in which God’s work of justice, reconciliation, and healing may be realized in the body of Christ,” said McKee. “It is my prayer that our members, both clergy and laity, affirm the goals of this process with their prayers and respect for the confidential nature of this process which seeks reconciliation as its ultimate goal.”
McKee also stated that a suspension for McElvaney for violating the denomination’s law “is not being pursued” by the process.
“Together, let us be in prayer for our conference as we seek to engage in constructive conversations about the issues that face our denomination, the body of Christ, our cities, and most of all our neighbors,” said McKee. “Let us also pray for our church as it looks to the Holy Spirit to help us navigate through differing points of view, understandings of the gospel, and commitment to our covenant together as United Methodists.”