‘It Was The Love Of My Life’: Pastor Who Quadrupled Membership Fired For Having A Same-Sex Partner

A Michigan United Methodist Church is under fire after firing its beloved pastor who extensively grew the church’s membership.

Senior Pastor Benjamin Hutchison was forced to resign – or be fired – from the United Methodist Church in Cassopolis, Michigan after the District Bishop asked him if he had a same-sex partner. Hutchinson’s parishioners were well aware that he is gay and in a committed same-sex relationship. They are also aware that he quadrupled his church’s membership and took it from being in the red to being in the black. No small feat in a time when many churches are losing members and going bankrupt.

“It wasn’t only my place of employment; it was the love of my life,” Hutchinson told WSBT. 

Reverend Hutchinson says he’s always been open about who he is.

 “I’ve never been shy about it, and I won’t hide from it. Monty Hutchison is my life partner and that’s who he is to me. I consider him my partner, Lord willing, someday to be my husband.”

Fortunately for the couple, that day will be soon, albeit sooner than they had expected. After being forced to resign, Hutchinson and his partner are getting married.

Hutchinson’s bosses were certainly proud of him when they hired him to lead the church. On the church’s website is a statement that says, “Cassopolis United Methodist Church is very pleased and excited to announce their new pastor the Reverend Benjamin David Hutchison.” It describes Hutchinson as “dynamic and inspirational,” and “young, energetic, and very interactive with the children and adults during his sermons.” 

Church members are angry about the firing.

Bill Loux, who says he was skeptical and nervous about church leaders bringing in a gay preacher, now says he is “very shocked, and very upset” to see Rev. Hutchinson be fired.

“At first,” when Rev. Hutchinson was installed at the church, Loux says, “it was kind of shocking to us, like, ‘Oh my gosh, we got some gay dude in here.’ But we immediately learned to love this guy, he’s crazy good,” Loux told WSBT. “He’s just done a wonderful thing here, and for the Methodist Church to treat him this way is totally unacceptable to our church and everybody in this community. Even though he’s gay, he’s part of our family, my family, the church family.”

 

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