Openly gay pastor could lose his job because he married his boyfriend
An openly gay pastor in Cincinnati has been criticised by some in his church for marrying his boyfriend.
Reverend David Meredith caused uproar when he married his male partner last year.
Some churchgoers called on him to resign from his post following the nuptials.
He now faces the possibility of being fired from his job because of the same-sex marriage.
Reverend David Meredith (Twitter/Jackie Congedo)
However his own congregation have now said that they support him.
Members of the Clifton United Methodist Church prayed for David and his husband in “a show of support at a crucial moment.”
One community member told WLWT: “He has shown the love of God to one and all.
“He has brought people who would never set foot in a church into this community of faith.”
David said he has “been doing God’s work” for thirty years, and has been a pastor at the church for six.
However, since marrying his partner Jim last year – who he has been with for thirty years – David has been on the receiving end of complaints coming into the church.
According to the church, the first complaint came in the spring of 2016, with the second following in August of 2017.
In light of this, there will be a hearing held by the church’s investigation committee to determine what will happen next.
David said his congregation stands behind him, despite some members of the church wanting to see him kicked out.
(Getty)
“The problem that others have is that I will not be quiet, that I will not hide the witness of Christ in this gay man’s life and in my loving relationship with my husband,” he said.
WLWT was told that there could be several possible outcomes to the hearing, including the case potentially being dismissed if there are no grounds for charges.
A United Methodist Church Bishop told WLWT: “I am unceasingly in prayer for the whole United Methodist Church, the West Ohio Conference and the parties most deeply involved in this process.
“There are continuing efforts to reach a just resolution.”
