Some 300,000 people filled Midtown Atlanta Sunday for the final day of the 37th annual Gay Pride weekend.
This year’s parade called attention to a pastor’s fight to keep his job. The Grand Marshal was the Reverend Bradley Schmeling, the senior pastor of St. Johns Lutheran Church in Atlanta. He is openly gay and in a committed relationship
“Well, the gay and lesbian community has been so supportive of me this year,” said Rev. Schmeling.
Earlier this year, a church committee put Pastor Schmeling on trial, and committee members decided they had to kick him out according to church rules. But they instead decided to try and change church rules to keep him.
“What touched me so deeply in the committee’s opinion was that they found that my relationship is in no way an impediment to doing the work of ministry in the church? And I’ve always known that. So it’s a gift to hear the committee affirm that,” said Rev. Schmeling.
Pastor Schmeling could still be removed from office before the end of the summer, and supporters are working to change church policy before that.
“Well, it’s given me a chance to say, to a lot of people who have never heard that the gospel is for them, that god’s love is for everyone,” said Rev. Schmeling.
But not everyone is happy about Pastor Schmeling’s public position in the community.
“Cause he’s lost. He’s gay. If he’s practciing homosexual, he’s lost and it’s not me that says it, the bible says it ok,” said Zachary Baxter, Anti-Gay Demonstrator.
Source: 11alive.com