A Methodist jury convicted Frank Schaefer, pastor of Zion United Methodist Church of Iona in Lebanon, Pa., of officiating a same-sex marriage and flouting church rules. Schaefer had presided over his son’s gay wedding ceremony in 2007. Although some UMC churches have accepted gay and lesbian members, the denomination officially condemns homosexual practice and bars ministers from performing same-sex ceremonies. The jury suspended Schaefer from church duties and gave him 30 days to decide whether to follow church rules or resign.
WORLD Magazine recently published the news item above. We approve of the church having its own courts. This is not new in church history, and allows Christians to honor God's law in the church. Often we feel ourselves to be at the mercy of civil courts, but this is unnecessary.
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