Posted on 06/16/2005 6:16:29 AM PDT by Theodore R.
Minister suspended after women complain The Rev. Wes Kendell is no longer serving as senior pastor of First United Methodist.
By Jessica Lowell rep5@wyomingnews.com Published in the Wyoming Tribune-Eagle
CHEYENNE - A local Methodist minister has been suspended for inappropriate behavior with several female members of his congregation.
The Rev. Wes Kendall is no longer serving as senior pastor of First United Methodist in Cheyenne. He was suspended May 19 and can no longer take part in any ministerial function.
The Rev. Chuck Cooper, a district superintendent for this area, said Kendall will retire July 1.
Reached at his home Wednesday, Kendall said only: "If I had $1 million, I would pay you not to write the story."
Cooper said Bishop Warner Brown had received letters of concern from a number of women of the First United Methodist congregation starting in April.
"(Kendall) crossed the boundaries of what we believe are appropriate for a pastor," Cooper said, adding that the church's limits are more exacting than those in popular culture.
In their letters the women cited instances when Kendall said or did something they considered inappropriate, Cooper said.
"Their concerns are valid," he added. "A pastor is in a unique position of power that makes it hard for people to deal with it.
"The complaint I wrote was for sexual misconduct, but it was more like sexual harassment."
The congregation has been told of the action against Kendall. Cooper said he sent letters and also addressed the church body.
"I outlined as best I could what my participation was and how I believe the Christian church has to be open and honest with these kinds of issues and that we can move on in a hopeful way," he said.
Kendall started at First United Methodist, the state's largest congregation, last July. He took over for the Rev. Janet Forbes, who left for St. Luke's United Methodist Church in Highlands Ranch, Colo.
A new pastor for the local church already has been named. The Rev. Trudy Robinson, now in Loveland, Colo., will take up pastoring duties on Aug. 1.
In the interim, the Rev. David Dalke, who specializes in church healing, is serving.
Cooper said ministers, even in retirement, are under the supervision of the district superintendents where they live.
In this case, he said, Kendall will be supervised, evaluated by a psychologist and given instructions on how to conduct himself.
"He had a previous problem that he worked through, but that was different," Cooper said. "We have processes for redemption, and if a person desires to correct their behavior, we have room for grace in the church."
About a decade ago while working in Littleton, Colo., Kendall became involved with a woman in the congregation who had a relationship "beyond what is appropriate with more than one minister in the church," Bishop Mary Ann Swenson said.
Now in southern California, Swenson then was bishop in Colorado and Kendall's supervisor.
"He does have a clear learning about that," Swenson said. "He left the parish and had counseling with his wife. He learned and grew, and this was not an incident that he would repeat."
Lucky guy. He can run for political office now.</>sarcasm>
At least he got shamed into leaving the key party. But you're right, he was slimy.
The fact that the denomination will be using a psychologist to monitor this pastor instead of biblical counseling reveals the spiritual bankruptcy of the United Methodist church.
The mind reels.
I have to agree. This is just one indicator, tho.
Is this the same Methodist Church that did the TV Ad that they accept Everybody-where other churches do not? IS this the same Methodist church that is debating if Clergy ought
believe Christ is what Scripture declares the Son of God?
Seems the basic tenants of Christianity ought be necessary to every Christian? Is this the same church that President Bush claims foundational -even as he panders to the interfaith apostasy?Does not the Apostle Paul teach in the
end times men would not be able to stand sound doctrine?
"Cooper said Bishop Warner Brown had received letters of concern from a number of women of the First United Methodist congregation starting in April."
Must have been jealous they weren't getting any.
It think this is a blatant case of heterophobia.
Disgusting behavior.
That was not the Methodists. That was the Church of Christ I think.
One of the best advice I was ever given was by another minister. He told me "never be with a female without a witness".
I have followed that wisdom.
Reverend Billy Graham has placed his secretary in another hotel for many years during his tours, and never leaves his hotel without a male accomplice.
Yes, and events have proved the wisdom of the Apostle Paul.
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