A Formerly Defrocked Pastor is Rebuilding His Life and Ministry in Isla Vista

A formerly defrocked pastor is rebuilding his life and ministry in Isla Vista.

Reverend Frank Schaefer was reinstated in June after violating Methodist church law for officiating his son’s same-sex wedding and refusing to promise he would never perform another one.

“It’s scary, it really is because it was my livelihood. It was everything I knew that I ever did and I didn’t want to lose it. But, I also knew I had to stand on my conscience and follow my heart, stand by my children and by all of our LGBT brothers and sisters,” said Schaefer.

The Reverend moved from Pennsylvania to Isla Vista this summer and is preaching at the Korean United Methodist Church in Isla Vista.

But, Schaefer says the fight to keep his job is not over.

“The council for the church appealed my reinstatement in June. Now I have to face the music again. This is going to be the final showdown because this is the judicial council, the highest court, our supreme court if you will in the United Methodist Church,” he said.

Schaefer realizes he could risk losing it all again, but he says he will not stop preaching about gay rights.

“I want people to know that what I did was not an act of rebellion, it was an act of love for my son, for my children. I have three gay children. It was also for all LGBT folks that I see are being harmed. It was an act of love,” he said.

Schaefer will learn his fate on October 22.

The decision is final.