Rev. Benjamin Hutchinson has been the pastor of the Cassopolis United Methodist Church in Michigan for three years. The congregation knew he was gay and knew he had a partner. That bit about the partner meant that Hutchinson was a "practicing homosexual" and violating the denomination's rule book, the Book of Discipline. It seems the bishop never asked Hutchinson directly until a few days ago. Hutchinson didn't lie, so was told to resign. He and his partner were not married, but the sudden unemployment and need of such things as health insurance prompted the two to get married.
Under Hutchinson's guidance the congregation quadrupled in size and the finances stabilized. Quite an accomplishment for such a short period of time. Naturally, many in the congregation say this will prompt them to leave the church. Many others are protesting. The congregation is grieving both the loss of a beloved pastor and the display of such blatant discrimination.
The denomination, in spite of their rule book, is coming around to the idea of their pastors officiating at the weddings of same-sex couples. When a pastor breaks that rule there is an effort to keep the pastor in place and avoid a trial or any other punishment. The denomination, even apart from the rule book, hasn't shifted position on gay pastors yet. They've just lost another excellent pastor, and in the process have destroyed a local congregation.
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