Openly gay Methodist minister marries after resignation

Another church member, James Solloway, told Fox 7: “He’s a great guy, the community will suffer a great loss with him gone”.

Hutchison said in the first eight weeks he preached, the church quadrupled the size of its members.

“It wasn’t only my place of employment”, Rev. Hutchison said. “Therefore self-avowed practicing homosexuals are not to be certified as candidates, ordained as ministers, or appointed to serve in The United Methodist Church”.

“I would never deny Monty to anybody”, said Hutchison.

Hutchison said he was hired to help the church grow its congregation.

Hershberger said he started attending the church regularly in November, after Hutchison had reached out to him and supported him for an appointment with the county.

(An excerpt of the United Methodist Church’s discipline on clergy members.).

“This church was dying when he came here, they weren’t far from closing the doors. It meant enough to him and that also got everybody to know him”. “So I took the role knowing that something may happen someday, but also knowing that change was happening”, Hutchison said. Some are even leaving the church.

A Cassopolis United Methodist Church expresses support for ousted Pastor Benjamin Hutchison. “I’m looking forward to being married to my husband”.

Rev. Mark Thompson, of the Faith United Methodist Church in Grand Rapids, Mich., officiates the wedding of Benjamin David Hutchison and Monty Hutchison at the County Courthouse in Cassopolis, Mich., Friday, July 17, 2015.

“If we say, ‘No, you’re not welcomed here, ‘ then what example are we of God?” The Foundation relies significantly on communities to join hands with them, come together for support, and provide adequate nutrition for all needy children.

“Christ died for all people, all capital letters, A. L. L. How else do you explain that in English?”

On the steps of the Cass County courthouse, music filled the humid air. “Everyone knows Reverend Hutchison is a wonderful pastor, and God is clearly working with him”.

The United Methodist Church issued a statement Thursday night directing people to its Book of Discipline regarding church policies.