Move forward with evaluating all candidates solely on the disciplinary requirements and previously adopted requirements of the BWC. Regardless of sexual orientation, married candidates will be expected to affirm fidelity in marriage and single candidates will be expected to affirm celibacy in singleness.Yes, that means the BWC is saying – contrary to the denomination's Book of Discipline – that they will consider candidates that are in a same sex relationship, though this relationship must be celibate or a marriage.
In addition, this Board of Ordained Ministry has recommended Tara (T.C.) Morrow for provisional membership as a deacon in the conference. Her credentials to becoming a pastor appear to be excellent. And she is married to a woman. All candidates must receive a 3/4 majority vote to be recommended.
Though the statement by the BWC doesn't say so, this is a challenge to the denomination just prior to General Conference to be held this May. The GC is the only body that can revise the Book of Discipline and in the last 44 years has only tightened restrictions on how a congregation can treat its LGBT members and leaders. The BWC is now saying General Conference must either change its rules on LGBT leaders or it must decide how to deal with disobedience. If the rules are not changed there will be disobedience. More accurately, there is disobedience.
As an example of such disobedience...
Last September I wrote about Rev. Mike Tupper, who officiated in a second same-sex marriage in violation of the Book of Discipline. Both times a complaint was filed and the matter was referred to the bishop of Michigan.
The first time Tupper was given a Just Resolution that required him to participate in a Truth and Reconciliation process with Rev. Ed Rowe. Tupper says this is a free pass, because he could have been fired from ministry.
The second time Tupper decided to force the issue. This second wedding was for a gay couple, one of which had just been forced to resign his job as a pastor for being in a same-sex relationship. Tupper gave a statement that he would not accept a Just Resolution and if the case went to trial he would plead guilty and not contest the penalty. He made that statement to the bishop in September.
The counsel for the church, corresponding to the lawyer for the prosecution, is charged with giving evidence, in this case the marriage certificate with Tupper's name on it, to the Committee on Investigation. But that didn't happen. The complaint has a three month time limit (as I understand it) and that time has passed. Tupper says he has received another free pass from the bishop.
Great, yes? Progressive bishops can allow their pastors to officiate at same-sex weddings without consequences. But Tupper says doing so hides the scope of disobedient pastors and silences those trying to witness to the injustices in the Book of Discipline. Tupper got a free pass. The gay pastor did not.
