Openly gay man wants to re-enter Presbyterian ministry

SUN PRAIRIE – An openly gay Wisconsin man is one-step closer to being re-ordained as a Presbyterian minister. The Midwestern governing body of the church has upheld a decision by local church leaders to allow Scott Anderson of Sun Prairie to re-enter the ministry.

The decision could have far-reaching implications for the Presbyterian Church. Only celibate gays and lesbians may serve as ministers, but Anderson re-applied for ordination under a new rule, which allows candidates to file conscientious objections to church policy.

Anderson says he stepped down from the ministry, after being outed in 1990, and adds that his reasons for applying for re-ordination are more personal than political.

"I never intended to do this [to be] some kind of poster child or trail blazer,” says Anderson. “Nor did I think I would be the only non-partnered gay person to be pursuing this. It's been a challenging role to be in, but not one that I've sought."

A Presbyterian church near Portage has filed an objection to this last week's ruling, and the matter will go to the church's national governing body.

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