Transgender Pastor’s Appointment Upheld

The United Methodist Church has supported a bishop’s decision to reappoint a transgender pastor to a congregation in Baltimore.

Bishop John R. Schol’s reappointment decision led to complaints from several area clergy but the church’s Judicial Council ruled this week the bishop was correct in reappointing the Rev. Drew Phoenix, The Baltimore Sun said Wednesday.

Formerly the Rev. Ann Gordon, Phoenix thanked the council for allowing him to remain the pastor at St. John’s United Methodist Church.

To me, it’s a historic day in the life of our denomination, and I think the Judicial Council decision is a very important first step in opening the doors of our churches to the transgender community, Phoenix said.

The church’s Book of Discipline does not allow non-celibate gay men and lesbians serve in the clergy, but the religious text does not specifically ban transgender clergy.

Phoenix’s congregation has grown from about a dozen people to more than 50 during his tenure as its pastor, the newspaper said.