Greater New Jersey Bishop and Leaders Respond to Clergwoman's Book

by

A United Methodist Insight Exclusive

Copyright 2022

United Methodist Insight invited Bishop John Schol to respond to the allegations made by the Rev. Beth Caulfield in her book, "People Throw Rocks at Things That Shine: A Clergy Whistleblower's Journey." Because Bishop Schol said he hasn't read Rev. Caulfield's book, Insight worked with him to draft questions related to specific instances in the book. The questions are given below in bold, followed by Bishop Schol's replies.

Other leaders of the Greater New Jersey Annual Conference contributed responses voluntarily to Insight's inquiry. Some of the responses address issues not included in the questions submitted to Bishop Schol. These responses are included after the bishop's replies.

From Bishop John Schol:

Beth Caufield is a gifted disciple of Jesus Christ, working on behalf of the Wesleyan Covenant Association and the Global Methodist Church. She is the president of the Greater New Jersey chapter of the WCA and working to influence congregations to leave The United Methodist Church and to join The Global Methodist Church.

I always found Beth as a leader who pushed hard to accomplish whatever task she was given.

I have not read Beth’s book; however, excerpts have been shared in emails from Beth about her book to me and lay and clergy members of Greater New Jersey. Beth served in several traditional congregations and on staff of Greater New Jersey. While on staff and in the three congregations I appointed her to, there was conflict and requests for an appointment change from the congregation’s leadership and district superintendent.

Beth was turned down by the board of ordained ministry for ordination as I recall on a couple of occasions, and as a result, she left The United Methodist Church. I am not privileged to know the circumstances of those decisions.

The Rev. Glenn Conaway, Delaware Bay District Superintendent: When it comes to appointments within the annual conference, Rev. Caulfield fails to clarify the great appointment opportunity given when the Bishop appointed her to one of the largest and most vital congregations in GNJ.  The church had a successful second campus with growing attendance and plans to expand to a new site. However, within ten months of Rev. Caulfield’s arrival on the staff, where she worked with the second campus, attendance and finances were greatly declining. The SPRC Chairperson, Committee, and Lead Pastor, shared major concerns with me as the District Superintendent. The bishop offered paid time off and professional coaching. As the DS, on a district where her skills and theological preference are a match, she was again given another opportunity to serve a two-point charge as the Lead Pastor with the same result. Within less than a year, the same complaints and concerns were coming from both congregations resulting in her own choosing to resign. Unfortunately, Rev. Caulfield portrays herself as a victim, rather than realizing the support that people in the local church, a DS, Cabinet, or Bishop wished to extend.

Insight: Beth Caufield in her book accuses the bishop of nepotism because he bought a church parsonage, his wife worked for Greater New Jersey and his son is an appointed pastor in Greater New Jersey. What is the response to this accusation?

The Rev. William M. Williams III, Meadowlands District Superintendent: “The Greater New Jersey cabinet has and continues to adhere to our conflict of interest policy as it relates to any appointment and the appointment of Rev. Mark Schol. This means that when Rev. Schol’s name comes up for discussions about appointments, Bishop Schol leaves the room and does not participate in these discussions. In fact, he is not in the building. I always consult another bishop outside of GNJ when I want to discuss Rev. Schol’s appointment. My supervision of Rev. Schol’s ministry continues to be held to our high ethical and moral standards.”

Jay Kim, Director of Human Resources: The Treasurer/Director of Administrative services approached Beverly Schol because of her knowledge and experience in property when the position of GNJ Property Manager became open. Beverly submitted her resume and application and followed our hiring process as outlined in our Employee Handbook. She was interviewed along with several other candidates. She interviewed with two groups of staff and was identified as the best candidate and was hired by the Treasurer.

There were a few people within the annual conference who raised concerns, not because of her competency or the level of work but they did not believe it was appropriate. Beverly decided to resign in October of 2019 since she felt the negative attention she was receiving was taking away the time that could be spent working for the mission of GNJ.  I will always be thankful for her dedication and the hard work she poured into GNJ. 

The Rev. Matt Enzler: I am the chair of the Board of Trustees for the United Methodist Church of Greater New Jersey (GNJ), serving in this capacity since July 2021.  Previously, from 2007-2016 I worked as a prosecutor, in which I aided and directed numerous investigations, including financial crimes. The sale of the former Belmar Parsonage property was brought to a close under my supervision in early 2022.  In bringing this sale to closure, I investigated the circumstances surrounding the agreement, to ensure no conflict of interest existed.  I found the following:

  • The Sale of the Belmar Parsonage closed for $803,000.
  • GNJ received a total of $1,763,000 for the combined Belmar parsonage and church properties.
  • The total sale price the aggregate Belmar properties was $560,000 more than two other comparable church sales in the area, and one other comparable commercial property.
  • A minimum of $100,000 of that is directly attributable to the parsonage lot.
  • All processes and procedures of GNJ and the 2016 United Methodist Book of Discipline were followed for this sale.
  • No Conflict of Interest was found to exist.

Insight: Rev. Beth Caufield accuses the bishop of being punitive in handling a complaint against a GNJ clergy person. Also that the bishop and cabinet called a special clergy session about this matter which was further evidence of his seeking to embarrass the clergy person. Was the bishop punitive? Was the bishop seeking to embarrass the clergy person?

Bishop Schol: I regret that Beth continues to raise a complaint and trial of a GNJ clergy person because it is deeply painful to the clergy person, the cabinet, the people of GNJ, and me. 

A clergy person reportedly received $13,000 over a period of time from a former parishioner of a church she served in. The accusation also included that she continued this relationship while serving in her next two appointments. The family felt it was inappropriate to be receiving money and continuing to visit with their father. Reportedly, the wife of the former parishioner was also deeply distressed about the matter. A complaint was filed by the daughter. The cabinet filed a complaint after the clergy person, who was a district superintendent at the time, indicated that the $13,000 claim was inaccurate to records that showed she received more than $110,000 from the parishioner. I believe the clergy person did not believe there was anything wrong for her to continue to maintain the relationship and receive large sums of money. 

Beth also asserts that I called a special clergy session about this matter. This is not true, as the clergy session was called for a completely different subject matter. During the session in question, the advocate for the clergy person under complaint that Beth refers to was recognized, and he made a speech that the clergy person was not a lesbian now or ever. It was very odd because there was never an accusation about the clergy person’s sexuality.

The board of ordained ministry voted to place the clergy person ad-interim on involuntary leave of absence. I sought to achieve a just resolution that would bring the clergy person off involuntary leave of absence and appoint her at the next Annual Conference session. The previous bishop who initially handled the matter had told the family the money was a loan and would be repaid fully. Therefore, I sought that the Conference would help repay the money that the family was requesting as reimbursement following their father’s death. Regretfully, I could not achieve the just resolution.

Today, it is my understanding that the clergy person is serving well in another denomination. She continues with her credentials in The United Methodist Church.

Insight: Rev. Caufield accuses the bishop of meeting with her and the meeting made her sick.

Nicola Mulligan, Assistant to the Bishop: Bishop Schol typically meets with pastors who are struggling in their appointments in a non-complaint, non-supervisory response.  I participate in these meetings as the bishop’s assistant to follow up to ensure issues or commitments made by the bishop or the clergy person are completed. I have observed firsthand many of these conversations and they are pastoral. The meeting with Beth was not unusual in Bishop Schol’s policy to meet one on one and to hear about the needs of the pastor.

The bishop met with Beth because she had had a series of challenges in the ministry settings to which she was appointed. Beth expressed during the meeting that she was exhausted, from the challenges of a two-point charge and life changes including moving house. Bishop Schol offered her paid leave to ease the anxiety of transition. She would also be able to exercise self-care and a period of discernment for her next steps in ministry. Beth seemed relieved and grateful for the opportunity to take this path forward and this is how the meeting ended. I would describe the meeting as pastoral and grace filled. How Beth described the meeting is not accurate.

Insight: Rev. Caulfield alleges that the bishop has intentionally disobeyed the book of Discipline. Is this correct?

Bishop Schol: I am, I have, and I continue to carry out The Book of Discipline.

Over the last several years, and continued today, I have witnessed people in our nation portray untruthful statements, yet if they are said enough and gain media focus, those false statements take a life of their own. Regretfully, there are people vying for congregations and making false statements and it is hurting the witness of The United Methodist Church, creating confusion and division. While this may benefit a particular cause, it hurts the witness of the Church. In GNJ, we honor all our congregations, and we recognize that there will be differences in theology and how people will be in ministry with and by LGBTQ persons. We want to keep the light on Christ, rather than seek to hurt one another.

Cynthia B. Astle serves as Editor of United Methodist Insight, which she founded in 2011. This article is copyrighted and may not be reproduced elsewhere without permission from United Methodist Insight. To request reprint permission, please email the Editor.