Rev. Elder Candace Shultis Resigns from MCC Council of Elders

Rev. Elder Dr. Candace Shultis

The MCC Council of Elders pause for a photo at the 2019 General Conference. Rev. Elder Dr. Candace Shultis is third from right. (photo right by Jeff Henderson)

Rev. Elder Dr. Candace Shultis Resigns

from MCC Council of Elders

"This does not mean that I am retiring. I have always felt more called

as a local church pastor than to any other ministry. It is where I find joy."

Rev. Elder Dr. Candace Shultis

13 September 2019

Dear people of God,

Last week, I received with real sadness, a letter from Reverend Elder Dr. Candace Shultis, offering her resignation from the Council of Elders. I know that Rev. Elder Candace has been in prayer about this decision for a while. She and I had spent some time together at King of Peace MCC after General Conference and it was wonderful to see Candace’s enthusiasm for her congregation and ministry in that place. We talked about the joy of mentoring and raising up leaders, the importance of valuing and building on our diversity. Rev. Elder Candace took the time to print off several MCC documents and reports that address issues of inclusion and diversity for me. I was touched by her willingness to immediately find and offer resources to assist me in my role as Moderator.

Rev. Elder Candace shared her decision to resign with the Council of Elders in our most recent meeting. I know that she will be greatly missed by her colleague Elders, who spoke warmly of her integrity, her truth telling, and her wisdom.

As you may know, the current Council of Elders was appointed until the end of 2020 by Rev. Dr. Nancy Wilson and approved by the General Conference. There will be no new appointments to the Council of Elders at this time. As Moderator, I will be in prayer and discussion over the next few months about the selection process for the appointment of a new Council of Elders next year.

Join me in holding Rev. Elder Candace in your prayers.

God bless,

Rev. Elder Cecilia Eggleston

Moderator, Metropolitan Community Churches

From Rev. Elder Dr. Candace Shultis:

Years ago, when I taught about spiritual gifts and people taking on ministries, I always added that when a ministry became a burden or no longer produced joy, a person should find some other ministry. As I have struggled with my place on the Council of Elders, it has become clear to me that those words still matter and that they apply to me. This past week I submitted to our Moderator my resignation as an active elder.

This does not mean that I am retiring. This does not mean that I am not fully supportive of our new Moderator, Rev. Elder Cecilia Eggleston. This does not mean that I am angry about anything or upset about anything. It simply means that I no longer feel the joy of the ministry of elder. I have given Rev. Cecilia the promise of my full support in the years ahead. I am delighted to see what I believe to be the Spirit’s moving in MCC as we prepare for the next half century of ministry in the world.

I intend to give my full attention to King of Peace MCC, the local church where I serve as Senior Pastor. I have always known that the strength of MCC lies in the local church. I have always felt more called as a local church pastor than to any other ministry. It is where I find joy.

I hold in my prayers Rev. Cecilia, the Council of Elders, the Governing Board, Staff, and MCC.

With appreciation for each of you,

Rev. Elder Dr. Candace R. Shultis

[email protected]

Metropolitan Community Churches is celebrating 50 Years!

Founded in 1968, Metropolitan Community Churches (MCC) has been at the vanguard of civil and human rights movements by addressing issues of race, gender, sexual orientation, economics, climate change, aging, and global human rights. MCC was the first to perform same gender marriages and has been on the forefront of the struggle towards marriage equality in the USA and other countries worldwide. MCC recognizes a state of need around the world in the areas of human rights and justice, including the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer communities. As people of faith, MCC endeavors to build bridges that liberate and unite voices of sacred defiance. MCC leads from the margins and transforms.

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