An Act of Love: Frank Schaefer, United Methodists and Homosexuality

Last updated on: May 23, 2016 at 1:46 pm by Dan Wilkinson

An Act of Love: Frank Schaefer, United Methodists and Homosexuality 2016-05-23T13:46:21-06:00 Dan Wilkinson

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

actoflove

If you pay attention to issues relating to homosexuality and Christianity, you probably know about Frank Schaefer, the United Methodist minister who was defrocked in 2013 for performing his son’s same-sex wedding. But unless you were directly involved with those events, you probably don’t know the details surrounding Schaefer’s trial or the deeply personal struggle his family faced.

The new documentary film An Act of Love brings the personal side of Schaefer’s story to the screen, casting valuable light on what was–depending on your perspective–either a valiant fight for orthodoxy, or a pivotal moment in Christianity’s move toward a more progressive stance on human sexuality.

Through candid and often touching interviews with Schaefer, his wife and children, members of his former church, and leaders within the United Methodist community, director Scott Sheppard examines Schaefer’s story as well as the ongoing divide over LGBT issues within the UMC denomination.

Particularly troubling, but sadly all too believable, is the revelation that the initial rancor within Schaefer’s congregation that ultimately led to his ouster had nothing to do a same-sex wedding, but instead stemmed from conflicts over contemporary versus traditional worship services. If we can’t negotiate compromise when it comes to choosing a guitar or a choir, how can we expect to reasonably deal with far more serious issues?

As the film makes clear, Schaefer is not alone in his struggle for a more open and loving Christianity. He wasn’t the first UMC minister to perform a same-sex wedding, and he isn’t the last. Homosexuality is an issue that will continue to confront the church, but unfortunately the church isn’t always ready for that confrontation. Last Friday, the United Methodist General Conference concluded its quadrennial meeting, and chose to postpone the discussion of homosexuality to a later date.

An Act of Love is a gently provocative telling of one pastor’s struggle to negotiate the demands of family, faith, community, love, and conscience. In presenting the reality of that struggle, the film leaves us with unsettling, but crucial questions: How much should we value family over career? Personal conscience over tradition? Unity over doctrine? Love over dogma?

If you care about these questions, and if you care about the future of Christianity’s relationship with LGBT people, An Act of Love is essential viewing.

Watch the trailer for An Act of Love:

Find out more about An Act of Love, including upcoming screenings, at AnActofLoveFilm.com.

Dan Wilkinson
Dan is the Executive Editor of the Unfundamentalist Christians blog. He is a writer, graphic designer and IT specialist. He lives in Montana, is married and has at least two cats.

Previous Post

May 20, 2016

Exploring Biblical Gender Equality in Kenya

Next Post

May 24, 2016 Sunday Outing: A Transgender Woman Finds Acceptance

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Book Reviews Christian History Christian Issues Christian Spirituality Current Events Fundamentalism Islam John Shore LGBT Movie Reviews Poetry Uncategorized

Select a Month October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz