Report from the Western Pennsylvania Conference bishop’s office and Board of Ordained Ministry
ERIE, Pa. — The Western Pennsylvania Annual Conference gathered in June with a theme of reconnecting with Christ and with one another. This theme was reflected when members of the clergy session voted to readmit to full clergy membership and thus, reconnect with the Revs. Jeff Miller and Tim Koch, who had previously surrendered their membership because of the denomination’s now-deleted ban on gay clergy. Read story and see photos
Both Rev. Miller and Rev. Koch both surrendered their membership with the annual conference at a time when the denomination had statements and practices that prohibited persons in same gender relationships from serving as clergy and prohibited clergy from officiating same gender weddings. Following the surrender of their memberships, these two servants continued to be active members in United Methodist congregations.
The 2020/2024 General Conference removed these prohibitions and added disciplinary paragraph 368 (2020/2024 Book Of Discipline) which allows for a former clergy person, prior to May 15, 2025, to submit a request to the Board of Ordained Ministry and to the bishop to have their full membership and their ordination certificate to be returned in the annual conference in which they previously held membership. Both Rev. Miller and Rev. Koch made this request.
The WPA Board of Ordained Ministry and bishop approved these requests, and the board recommended that Rev. Miller and Rev. Koch be readmitted to full membership during the clergy session in June. This recommendation was approved at the clergy session by more than a 2/3 vote of the session.
Bishop Sandra Steiner Ball announced the readmission of Rev. Miller and Rev. Koch at the Celebration of Ministry service during the June annual conference session.We celebrate the gifts, calling, and readmission and reconnection of Rev. Koch who is serving in extension ministry. We also celebrate the gifts, calling, readmission, and reconnection of Rev. Miller who has a long-time relationship with First Church Pittsburgh.
The congregation of First Church recently celebrated Rev. Miller’s readmission.
Local Church Celebrates Former Pastor’s Reinstatement
The Rev. Jeff Miller delivers the benediction at First United Methodist Church Pittsburgh on Sunday, June 15. Photo by Ron Chan
By RoBear Wilson
PITTSBURGH, Pa. -- The reinstatement of the ordination orders of Pastor Jeff Miller was honored with joy and emotion at First United Methodist Church of Pittsburgh on Sunday, June 15, 2025. A deep spiritual energy moved through the sanctuary from the opening drum circle to the moment Pastor Tracy Cox presented Jeff with flowers from the congregation. This presentation was followed by Jeff offering the benediction, acknowledging that this was the first time he had ever delivered a benediction holding a bouquet of flowers.
Twenty-three years ago, Jeff was defrocked when he came out as gay. He gave his red stole to Pastor Bob Wilson when he was the pastor at First Church. Each time Bob wore the stole, he reminded the congregation, “This is Jeff’s stole; we long for the day we can give it back to him!” Since Jeff’s orders were reinstated by the clergy session of the Western Pennsylvania Annual Conference on Thursday, June 12, 2025, that day had finally come. With great joy, the congregation sang two verses that Tim Coles composed for the hymn HOLY, HOLY, HOLY:
Holy, holy, holy! Complicated are thee,
Striving to perceive your face would take eternity.
People of the Body, races, genders, family,
abiding in Your true identity.
Holy, Holy, Holy! Mercy! We implore thee,
Humans try to tear apart the things we cannot “see.”
Fashion us more loving, open, and respecting.
Sharing a world of inclusivity.
The Rev. Bob Wilson (left) returns to the Rev. Jeff Miller the stole Miller gave to Wilson 23 years ago, when Miller surrendered his ministerial credentials and Wilson followed him as the pastor of First United Methodist Church of Pittsburgh. Photo by Ron Chan.
When Pastor Jeff and Pastor Bob stood face to face, Pastor Bob simply said, “Welcome Pastor Jeff Miller,” and the congregation erupted into celebratory applause. As Pastor Bob placed the stole on Pastor Jeff’s shoulders, there were few dry eyes in the sanctuary. In the congregation were family and friends from many walks of Jeff’s life, and friends from his 23 years as a dedicated member of First Church.
Jeff responded with gratitude for the support of his First Church community, and offered a message calling for continued faithful commitment, saying, “...‘When the spirit of truth comes, you will be guided into all truth’ (John 16:13)... our denomination is now bearing witness to the work of the Spirit, having guided the Church into closer alignment with the inclusive love of God....Now here we are today. We are beginning a new journey of faithful witness as a Church to whom John Wesley admonished to go on to perfection...
"I pray that we will keep all our senses open, watchful for signs of the Spirit’s work guiding us to all truth and empowering us to bring change transforming the chaos we see around us into the day of safety, and justice, and righteousness for all of Creation. Today, more than ever, we are called to take up the ministry of Christ and show our world that love is love as we seek justice, as we act with kindness, and as we walk together humbly with our God.”
The Rev. Jeff Miller celebrates Holy Communion upon his return to First United Methodist Church of Pittsburgh as a clergy member again. Photo by Ron Chan.
Celebrating Holy Communion, Jeff lifted the Great Thanksgiving, saying, “Jesus’ table fellowship message is about inclusion—shocking, scandalous inclusion: the kindom of God’s love is available to us all. All means all. You are welcome at this table!”
This is a day that will be cherished and long remembered in the history of First United Methodist Church of Pittsburgh as we continue to live into the Hospitality Affirmation we have embraced for many decades:
“First United Methodist Church of Pittsburgh affirms that God’s grace is present in all people. We intentionally seek openly and fully to include all persons regardless of age, race, ethnicity, immigration status, disability, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, education, or economic condition. We commit ourselves to be in ministry for and with all people, regardless of their spiritual path or political perspective and independent of society’s regard. God blesses us all so that together we can be God’s instruments of blessing in the world.”
In 2011, First United Methodist Church of Pittsburgh became the first UMC in the Western PA Conference to become an official member of the Reconciling Ministries Network caucus of The United Methodist Church.