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United Methodist jury convicts Pa. pastor who performed son's same-sex marriage

Associated Press
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FILE - This Sept. 2013 photo provided by The Rev. Frank Schaefer shows Schaefer, right, and his son Tim. The Rev. Frank Schaefer, 51, charged under United Methodist law with officiating Tim's same-sex marriage, is scheduled to go on trial Monday, Nov. 18, 2013. The pastor could be defrocked if a jury comprised of fellow Methodist clergy convicts him of breaking his pastoral vows by officiating the 2007 ceremony in Massachusetts. Schaefer's supporters argue that church teaching on homosexuality is outmoded. (AP Photo/ Schaefer Family, File) (The Associated Press)

Rev. Frank Schaefer returns to the retreat house in Spring City, Pa. on Monday, Nov. 18, 2013, where a jury of other pastors are hearing charges against him for officiating over his son's marriage to another man. Schaefer could be defrocked if he's convicted by a jury of Methodist clergy. (AP Photo/Philadelphia Inquirer, Tom Gralish) (The Associated Press)

Rev. Frank Schaefer returns to the retreat house in Spring City, Pa. on Monday, Nov. 18, 2013, where a jury of other pastors are hearing charges against him for officiating over his son's marriage to another man. Schaefer could be defrocked if he's convicted by a jury of Methodist clergy. (AP Photo/Philadelphia Inquirer, Tom Gralish) (The Associated Press)

A United Methodist minister has been convicted in a Pennsylvania church trial of breaking church law by performing his son's same-sex marriage.

The Rev. Frank Schaefer testified that he tried to follow God's command to minister to all, even if he disobeyed the Methodist Book of Discipline.

The jury will reconvene Tuesday morning for the penalty phase. Schaefer faces punishment ranging from a reprimand to losing his ministerial credentials.

Schaefer, of Lebanon, says he could have avoided the trial by agreeing to avoid any more same-sex ceremonies. But he declined, noting that three of his four children are gay.

The charges over the 2007 ceremony in Massachusetts came just a month shy of the church's six-year statute of limitations, after a congregant complained.