A complaint filed against a Michigan United
Methodist Church pastor who officiated a same-
sex wedding might lead to a trial.
The Rev. Michael Tupper, pastor of Parchment
UMC, knowingly violated the denomination's
Book of Discipline which forbids clergy from
performing gay weddings.
During an interview with The Christian Post,
Tupper said he participated in the gay marriage
ceremony in order "to bring light to the harm
done by the United Methodist Church to LGBTQ
people."
"I believe that people can have different opinions
in the United Methodist Church about these
issues. Our denomination is a 'big tent' where we
can agree to disagree about many things," he
added.
"I hope that we can end the war over this so we
can get back to 'making disciples for Jesus
Christ for the transformation of the world.'"
In addition to barring clergy from performing gay
marriages, the Book of Discipline also prohibits
clergy who identify as gay from marrying a
same-sex partner or engaging in sexual
activities. Similarly, unmarried heterosexual
clergy are also expected to remain celibate.
In July, Tupper was among nine clergy who
helped officiate the same-sex wedding of
Benjamin David Hutchison, a former UMC clergy,
who resigned because he was in a same-sex
relationship.
Subsequently, Tupper rejected the Mainline
denomination's attempt to reach a "just
resolution" last month that would have resolved
the complaint against him without it going to a
Church trial.
"The bishop [Deborah Lieder Kiesey] has referred
this matter to a Consul for the Church. This
person acts like a prosecutor in the secular
courts. The bishop has selected Rev. Elbert
Dulworth to be this consul," Tupper told CP.
"Rev. Dulworth will be gathering the evidence
against me and presenting that to our
Conference Committee on Investigation. This
Committee will meet to decide whether to send
this matter on to trial. I am pleading guilty. I am
also not using any attorneys. Therefore, the
process should move along quickly."
Tupper is one of several United Methodist clergy
who have garnered national headlines for their
refusal to adhere to the Book of Discipline's
stated positions on homosexuality.
The debate over the language of the
denomination's rule book is expected to continue
at next year's UMC General Conference in
Portland, Oregon.
Mark Tooley, president of the Institute on
Religion & Democracy, told CP that rather than
being a hero Tupper's actions showed a "lack of
integrity."
"We believe that Tupper shows a lack of integrity
by his willful, repeated violation of United
Methodist standards, despite his vows to uphold
them," said Tooley.
"If he cannot uphold his ordination vows, his
ministerial credentials should be withdrawn, and
he should find employment with an institution
that he can support."