An estimated 50 local clergy and church leaders attended the “Protect My Ministry” event Wednesday at Eisenhower Recreation Center.
Speaking at the event was attorney John Stemberger, president and general counsel of the Florida Family Policy Council.
The presentation addressed House Bill 43, also known as the Pastor Protection Act, which the Florida Family Policy Council is backing. Supporters of the legislation say it is designed to preserve clergy members’ First Amendment rights and ensure protection from legal reprisals for refusing to marry same-sex couples.
Questions included were, “Are you at risk if a same sex couple asks me to marry them?” “Are church mercy ministries that receive public funding at risk?” and “Should pastors still sign marriage certificates?”
Media were turned away from the event. It was open only to those who had registered to attend.
Pastor Drew Willard of United Church of Christ at the Villages was among those at the event. He said he believes that the proposed law is unnecessary as it allows for the impediment of people’s rights, specifically homosexuals’ justice. He said he believes that the greatest law, coming from Judeo-Christians, is to “do unto others as you would have them do unto you,” not, “that we are to judge behavior.”
The pastor was concerned with the audience’s reaction to the presentation.
“I think it [the presentation] did seem to appeal to people’s fear about change. They are changes, but they are good changes. It is a change that leads to a more just society.”
However, the Rev. Gerald Bustin of Open Door Community Church, who also attended Wednesday’s meeting, said Stemberger was “clear and passionate” as to why same-sex marriage is not an option for Bible-believing Christians.
“I hear people saying that God commands us to love everybody. Love is not condoning everything. Love requires Christians to speak the truth about that which hurts society and individuals. It’s not about being a hate monger or homophobe. We have to speak in love with hope that people come back to God in reconciliation with him,” Bustin said.
