Drew Ensz

Once again Bishop Lewis’s cruelty is on full display.

MISSISSIPPI BISHOP MOVES FORWARD WITH TRIAL, INVOLUNTARY LEAVE FOR TWO CLERGY WHO OFFICIATED WEDDING FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE—April 17, 2023

Today marks 3 years of being under complaint because of living into my baptismal vows. Today also marks three years of living in fear and harm because of our Bishop Sharma D. Lewis's choice to continuously violate fair process as outlined in the Book of Discipline and do it her way. I am looking forward to Judicial Council setting the record straight with regards to process on the following and so many other things:

Soliciting a DS to file a complaint using only information gathered from an original complaint to ensure a punitive resolution and not restorative justice.

Failing to appoint counsel, or dismiss the charges as she is required to do by paragraph 362.1 (e) of the Book of Discipline (For reference https://www.umc.org/en/content/book-of-discipline-362-complaint-procedures )

She refused to allow a facilitated Just Resolution with the Counsel for the Church over 2 years into the complaint process (November 2021).

Under the pretenses of hearing my concerns about the inability to take voluntary family medical leave in February 2021 due to the complaint, she tried bringing me up on charges again. Despite telling me it had nothing to do with my complaint and insisting that we meet without an advocate present. She tried to get me to confess to violating the Book of Discipline because of a wedding I did in November 2020. I had to turn in the names of the couple and the county where I officiated the marriage so the Chancellor could check. This of course wasted Conference resources.

Although promising we would talk about my concerns around family medical leave at the end of the February 2021 meeting, she lied once again. This was particularly heartbreaking because I was unable to take voluntary family medical leave when my daughter was born at 31 weeks in January 2022 (40 + days in the NICU). This was not allowed due to those under complaint being ineligible to take voluntary leaves of absence.

Not allowing me to defend myself and my ministry, and thus doing irreparable harm to my career, mental health, and family.

Failing to allow the Virginia Annual Conference delegates to petition the Judicial Council in 2021 and an attempt to do the same in 2022.

Failing at any time to offer care to my family, Arise Campus Ministry and ignoring the board and other ecumenical partners' claims and questions.

Attempting to use confidentiality, prayer, and worship as a way to silence and do harm.

Being gaslit multiple times at Annual Conference and told that this is all for my protection, and being asked for forgiveness (which does not come with repentance) thus comes across as manipulation and abuse.

The Conference has wasted tens of thousands of dollars on legal advice, training, time at Annual Conference, and all kinds of other things that could have been spent on missions, revitalization grants, etc.

When people ask me about the complaint process I tell them it is hell...I don't wish it on anyone, except for those that need to be removed immediately from the clergy or the Church. It is even worse when it is used by someone who has so little regard for fair process and the Book of Discipline.

So today I am sad, angry, and cannot believe there is yet to be accountability for the clear violations of Bishop Lewis. Maybe Judicial Council will offer some clear guidance to get us back on track so that we might not celebrate the fourth anniversary.

Thank you to all of you who keep up, who have stood up, reached out, and who continue to speak up for the LGBTQ+ community. What I have been through is NOTHING compared to what our LGBTQ+ siblings face every day. If you want to do anything today, reach out to someone who is being harmed here in VA and let them know you love them.

Book of Discipline: ¶ 362. Complaint Procedures How official complaints against clergy are filed and processed.

Judicial Council docket has just been released. So appreciative of the courage and conviction of those who stood with us and for the approximately 90% of the Virginia Annual Conference Annual Conference delegates who voted in the affirmative for getting these questions before the Judicial Council.

If you want to read about what happened and Bishop Lewis’s and Chancellor Brown’s attempts to block this declaratory decision request from our Annual Conference, the minutes are attached to the docket and begin on page 22.

Fall 2022 Docket This docket includes the items to be considered by the court beginning in fall 2022.

I have received word that Virginia’s request for a declaratory decision has been officially sent to the Judicial Council!!

Thank you Virginia UMC for standing with us and Reconciling Ministries Network for setting the record straight.

Please read and consider signing the following letter of support.

UMCYCW - 2022 FLAC Open Letter An Open Letter To the Bishop, Cabinet, the Board of Ordained Ministry, and the Clergy Session of the Florida Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church: We write to you to express the deep grief we share at the harm done by the 2022 Florida Annual Conference Clergy Session on June 9th in denyi...

I mourn the harm done to the commissioning class of the Florida UMC and LGBTQ+ persons as a whole. The fact that there are reports of people laughing and celebrating afterwards is disgusting. This is evil.

TW: Pregnancy, Hospitals, NICU
Sunday was an incredible moment for our family. We baptized our new baby, L. We are so thankful for our church family at Restoration Reston, our friends and family, and the ways they continue to love us and support us.

For those that don't know Lydia was born at 31 weeks and spent over 40 days in the NICU. During this time I was unable to take family medical leave due to the unresolved complaint against me. While my ministry site was open to giving additional time off, it was the Book of Discipline which forbids a change of status (family medical leave) for those under active complaint.
I wrote to Bishop Lewis over a year ago (January 2021) stating my fear of needing leave in the event of a family medical emergency, and in response to my request for a pastoral meeting, Bishop Lewis interrogated me over a November wedding I had officiated. I can only believe she wanted to bring me under an additional complaint. We never talked about my concerns.

Because of L's fragile condition, I was VERY close this January to turning in my credentials and leaving the ordained ministry. It was my partner who pushed me on and sacrificed greatly so I could continue to serve full-time in ministry and care for our family so that we could make it to May for my scheduled paternity leave (no change in status so this time is allowed by the Book of Discipline) and thus able to avoid putting our fragile premie baby in daycare. It was also thanks to many people from around the globe who gave so Catie could take unpaid leave and donated leave so we could make it to this point.

Friends, being under complaint is not without harm and I hope no one ever has to go over 950 days under complaint. It is cruel.
While Sunday was incredible, and Lydia is growing, I call once again on Bishop Lewis to follow the Book of Discipline and allow me to meet with the Counsel for the Church to possibly resolve the complaint against me.

It is official. Our request for a declaratory decision was non-docketed by the Judicial Council, which means they will not hear it in the fall docket. I say this with a heavy heart because so many people have offered their work, support and love. The United Methodist Church has spoken and apparently a Bishop is above reproach, even when they violate the Book of Discipline. Tonight I feel defeated and I guess I will continue to count the days of mental and emotional exhaustion in this period of waiting for something to shake loose.

*Please note that racist, sexist and any other hate-filled speech against any party are unwelcome and will not be tolerated.*

Today marks 700 days of being under active complaint.

After Annual Conference this year, Bishop Lewis refused to forward a request for a Declaratory Decision to Judicial Council. Our request was appropriately read into the minutes and submitted in writing as required by the Book of Discipline. You can read it here. https://www.anewthingva.com/2021-expected-motions/

This action is in direct contrast to a February 2020 comment by Paul Steidler, spokesperson for the Virginia Conference, who stated in the comment section of the Washington Post article about me, “We hope and pray that Rev. Ensz, and his supporters, will respect the process developed by the United Methodist Church and work within the Church’s broad parameters as they advocate for change.”

So which is it? Do we have a process except when it calls for our bishop to be held accountable for her actions? Can our bishop do harm to clergy secretly and hide behind confidentiality when others call her to account for doing active harm to clergy persons?

Bishop Lewis in my understanding of The 2016 Book of Discipline has failed to live out the process as required and does great harm to myself, my family, other colleagues, members of the LGBTQ+ community and Virginia United Methodists as a whole.

We are 700 days in and I am so tired. Thank you to all of the people supporting and praying for me and most importantly working to let people know that in Virginia, most United Methodists want to be affirming and inclusive of all persons.

Today I mourn the fact that 500 days have passed since I first learned via Facebook that Bishop Sharma D. Lewis chose not to honor the abeyance called for by the parties that worked hard crafting the Protocol of Reconciliation and Grace through Separation. This decision has caused so much harm to those I love, my family and especially to those I pastor.

So while today is a sad day, I am also thankful for Ashley and Virginia Methodists for a New Thing for giving me the opportunity to chat about why I did what I did, and why it is important for United Methodists to stand up for our LGBTQ+ siblings right now.

There are new developments in our case, but we are still praying and discerning the next steps. I will share more next week. In the end, no matter what happens I will be ok, but others experience so much greater harm. So reach out, support, and love those that have been harmed and continue to experience oppression, injustice, and harm because of discrimination.

Thank you to EVERYONE who shared, commented, and liked my 600-day post. Because of the work of the Holy Spirit and your advocacy YOU are giving others the courage to do the right thing. More to come later, but please continue to advocate for the LGBTQ+ community. For those that continue to experience harm in the UMC, I am here and my DMs are always open.

Today marks 600 days of being under complaint. I chose this picture of Bishop Lewis ordaining me to reflect upon. As clergy, we follow a covenant one which I took seriously the day I was ordained. When I decided to follow my baptismal vows and officiate at a wedding for people I pastor and love deeply I resigned myself to accountability. For many pastors, their ordination strengthens them throughout their ministry, but for me I will always remember the broken process and harm that is represented in this picture.

600 days and seemingly no desire for a just resolution.

No response from Bishop Lewis other than to try to bring me up on additional charges from a letter I sent in January 2021.

Tonight I am brokenhearted for the countless harm, yet thankful for the many voices of support, love, and for those who tirelessly advocate for our LGBTQ+ United Methodists.

Thank you to RMN, UM Insight and Virginia Methodists for a New Thing, for running my article as well. If anyone knows of others, please let me know so I can say thank you as well!
https://um-insight.net/in-the-church/ordained-ministry/clergy-under-complaint-a-broken-process/

Clergy Under Complaint: A Broken Process A guest column from Hacking Christianity recounts the broken United Methodist process of bringing a complaint against a clergyperson.

Here is the update I promised. There will be more later as well. Thank you for your prayers, support and love.

https://hackingchristianity.net/2021/04/clergy-under-complaint-a-broken-process-guest-article.html?fbclid=IwAR20LgSiP3pEqJ5DaMJeYF4feRzSfH2fyT8tNPlLDceohx9hg0yVbhbjv-8

Clergy Under Complaint: A Broken Process [Guest Article] A winding road eventually gets there, but the clergy complaint process has fallen off the path multiple times in Virginia.

A statement from VIrginia Methodists For a New Thing. This is not my update, but want to share this to acknowledge the harm to another colleague.

With Bishop Lewis trying to charge me again in February 2021, I realize it is time to share my story and update everyone.

To catch up on some information from last January on my case go to the following sources:
https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/northern-virginia/gmu-methodist-minister-could-face-punishment-for-same-gender-wedding/2207051/

https://www.wusa9.com/article/news/local/same-sex-wedding-could-cost-a-northern-virginia-pastor-ministry/65-234d6c1b-2cba-456f-9a43-cd3fcfd5f962

https://dcist.com/story/20/02/03/a-methodist-pastor-at-george-mason-is-facing-discipline-for-officiating-a-gay-wedding/

https://www.washingtonpost.com/religion/2020/02/06/methodist-minister-george-mason-university-could-face-discipline-over-officiating-same-sex-wedding/

More updates coming in the next few weeks. Any media outlet that would like to talk please email [email protected]

GMU Methodist Minister Could Face Punishment for Same-Gender Wedding A campus minister at George Mason University is facing possible punishment In the United Methodist Church for officiating at a same-gender wedding. Pastor Drew Ensz knew when he agreed to officiate a gay couple’s wedding in September he would be violating the United Methodist Book of Discipline, b...

I am separating the information about my case from my private Facebook account.

Like this page to stay up to date on my case and actionable steps to advocate for me and other VA United Methodists.