Charlotte NC Methodist minister keeps job despite conducting a same-sex marriage

by Rob Howard
Associate Editor

Despite the controversy in the United Methodist Church over openly LGBT clergy, and the performance of same-sex marriages by ministers, one UMC pastor is going to keep her job. Under what terms, we don’t know because the “just resolution” reached in the case will not be made public before at least 2018.

According to the Charlotte (NC) Observer, “A United Methodist pastor in Charlotte will not face a church trial or lose her job for officiating at the same-sex wedding in April of two members of her church in uptown.

“The Rev. Val Rosenquist married John Romano and Jim Wilborne, who became the first same-sex couple in North Carolina to be wed – at least publicly – in a United Methodist church.

“A ‘just resolution’ of the case involving Rosenquist of First United Methodist Church of Charlotte has been reached, the Western North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church announced Tuesday.”

The website UMC.org describes what a “just resolution” is: “A just resolution is one that focuses on repairing any harm to people and communities, achieving real accountability by making things right in so far as possible and bringing healing to all the parties…Special attention should be given to ensuring that cultural, racial, ethnic and gender contexts are valued throughout the process in terms of their understandings of fairness, justice and restoration.”

The Reconciling Ministries Network, an organization that supports LGBT Methodist lay people and clergy, doesn’t think much of the “just resolution” process. Their website asks, “What does a just resolution look like to you?”

“After 44 years of official policies and practices discriminating against LGBTQ persons and our allies,” the web entry says, “The United Methodist Church continues to do harm through the judicial process when complaints are filed against those who are deemed ‘self-avowed practicing homosexuals’ and/or those who are practicing ministry with all.”

They describe the case of another minister, saying, “As we have seen most recently in the case of Rev. Cynthia Meyer, a trial averted by way of a ‘just resolution.’ While the basis of the just resolution process and overall attempts to avoid a trial are rooted in applaudable Christian values, within a context of legalized discrimination, just resolutions are very, if ever, actually ‘just.’

“Like Rev. Meyer, LGBTQ people and our allies are often coerced into involuntary suspension, economic hardship, and/or having to sacrifice one’s integrity by expressing regret for their faithful and loving ministries. These resolutions rarely, if ever, hold the needs of the most vulnerable in the church – the LGBTQ community – at par with the other parties.”

The Observer notes, “…it is uncertain what that resolution involves. That’s because Rosenquist and those who filed complaints against her for allegedly violating the denomination’s Book of Discipline agreed to keep the details confidential. And the resolution will remain sealed until at least 2018, when the United Methodist Church could convene a special General Conference to act on future recommendations relating to same-sex marriage and the ordination of gay and lesbian clergy.

According to the Associated Press, “An assistant to the bishop in the conference confirmed that Rosenquist will continue as pastor of the First United Methodist Church of Charlotte.

“The resolution prevents Rosenquist from discussing the matter.”

Copyright 206, The Gayly – September 7, 2016 @ 1:35 p.m.