Supporters Of Gay Methodist Pastor Who Was Forced To Resign Rally In Lansing

LANSING (WWJ/AP) - United Methodist clergy and churchgoers held a press conference Wednesday outside the bishop's office in Lansing in support of an openly gay pastor who says he was forced to resign.

More than 50 supporters of the Rev. Benjamin Hutchison were at the demonstration on Tuesday.

Advocates taped a pledge to the office door asking for LGBT inclusiveness in the church — which accepts gay members but not openly gay pastors.

Hutchison said he resigned earlier this month from Cassopolis United Methodist Church after church leaders asked about his same-sex partner. He married his partner several days later outside the Cass County Courthouse in southwestern Michigan.

In a profile still present as of Wednesday on the church's staff page, the church said it was "pleased and excited" to announce Hutchison had joined as Senior Pastor, describing him as "a dynamic and inspirational preacher," who each week "grapples with the scriptures and presents new and innovative ways to understand the teachings of the Bible."

In a statement, Michigan Area Bishop Deborah Lieder Kiesey said she grieves "for this painful place" the church finds itself, and asked for "prayers for people on all sides of these issues."

A U.S. Supreme Court decision last month legalized gay marriage nationwide.

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