Thanks for the info. So if the churches cannot perform same sex marriages, how was this guy able to get his minister credentials restored and with back pay?
The bottom line is: (1) there is no authority above the level of bishop, and (2) there is a corrupt hierarchy in that region of the US. They had a sham hearing and let the guy off regardless of the rules. With no authority above bishop there is no one to call them to account.
Our denominational supreme court (Judicial Council) could hear the case and decide their exhoneration was contrary to the church constitution and force them to return to the original ruling.