Wisconsin Methodist Pastor On Church Trial

In some parts of the U.S., Methodist pastors have been marrying same-sex couples or conducting blessing ceremonies for same-sex unions for years with little fanfare and no backlash from the denomination. Calls to overturn the rule have become increasingly vocal in recent weeks, ratcheting up the pressure for the Methodist church to join other mainline Protestant denominations that have become more accepting of openly gay leaders.

While trials of pastors who conduct same-gender ceremonies have only occurred once every several years, the threat is indeed real: The Rev. Amy DeLong of Osceola in western Wisconsin faces a three-day trial starting Tuesday on two charges: violating a church prohibition on the ordination of "self-avowed practicing homosexuals" and marrying a lesbian couple.

She said she told her supervisors years ago that she was in a lesbian relationship and felt comforted by the support and caring she received in response.

I think her assessment has changed now.  There are denominations for a reason, so people can choose a doctrine that matches what their heart says is true, and that supports them spiritually.  I'm not saying any one church should change, but it seems stupid to me to condemn and isolate based on this.  How else are those a church considers sinners to know God if they aren't allowed past the doors? If churches did not allow those who fall short of perfection to work for them, you're looking at a mighty short payroll.  What are the Methodists really trying to say here?  What it sounds like to me is that they will turn a blind eye and show convenient acceptance as long as they are allowed an occasional public sacrifice.