BishopAccountability.org

Clearwater pastor resigns after admitting inappropriate sexual behavior with woman

By Stephanie Dickrell
Saint Cloud Times
August 11, 2018

https://on.sctimes.com/2w40FXn

The Rev. Steve Timm.

A Clearwater pastor has admitted to inappropriate sexual behavior with a woman and resigned, according to the Southwest Minnesota Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. 

The Rev. Steve Timm resigned as pastor of Rejoice Lutheran Church on July 7, Bishop Jon Anderson said in a statement issued by the synod.

Timm confirmed to the Times Saturday the reason for his resignation: 

"Earlier this year, I was involved in a consensual affair with a woman at Rejoice.

The relationship was wrong, and when I came to my senses, I ended it quickly and made confession to my family and my church. In order to avoid prolonging any damage to the congregation, I offered my resignation immediately.

I am sorry for the harm that my mistakes have caused and I ask for the church's forgiveness as my family and I work through reconciliation."

Timm also said the relationship was "mutual and consensual," and was "not in the context of counseling." 

State law bars a member of clergy from having a sexual relationship with anyone they are counseling spiritually or religiously, regardless of consent. 

No other details about the situation are known. Anderson said the synod is committed to not revealing the identity of the woman who made the complaint.

Timm is the third area clergy member since mid-February to resign or be removed after allegations of sexual misconduct.

Situation disclosed to pastor's previous churches, military

Anderson said the synod is in the early steps of its discipline process.

The inappropriate behavior was disclosed to members of Rejoice Lutheran Church on July 9, he said. 

The synod is informing congregations where Timm previously served about the conduct and resignation.

The behavior has also been disclosed to the military, where Timm is a member of the 47th Chaplain Detachment assigned to Camp Ripley, according to the Minnesota National Guard Public Affairs office. 

Timm was the lead pastor at Rejoice Lutheran Church since July 2016. He previously served as coordinating pastor at First Lutheran Church in Barron, Wisconsin, and as pastor at United Lutheran Church in Red Wing, according to Wendy Storkamp, president of the church council.

"Our synod and its congregations are, and should remain always, safe places for all people," Anderson said. "We ask for prayers for all involved, including victims of sexual misconduct, the members of Rejoice Lutheran, and Pastor Timm and his family."

Congregation moves forward

The church expects to name an interim pastor within a week or two, Storkamp said. 

Then, the congregation will follow the synod guidelines for finding a new permanent pastor, which can take up to a year, Storkamp said. 

A counselor from the synod has come in to help church members deal with the situation. 

"This is what she does," Storkamp said. "She came and met with the leaders of the congregation, as well as our personnel committee and office staff, so that we can all be more effective in being helpful and healing to the whole congregation." 

Other local cases 

Unlike Timm, the Rev. Anthony Oelrich and the Rev. Charles Pelkey each face felony third-degree criminal sexual conduct charges under a state law that bars a member of clergy from having a sexual relationship with anyone they are counseling spiritually or religiously, regardless of consent. 

Assistant Wright County Attorney Shane Simonds reviewed police reports in the Rejoice Lutheran case, but declined to pursue charges.

Oelrich was the priest at Christ Church Newman Center in St. Cloud. He was removed as priest of the Newman Center following his arrest in February. Bishop Donald Kettler also suspended Oelrich's priestly faculties, meaning he cannot function or present himself as a priest. 

His next court hearing has not been scheduled. 

Pelkey resigned as pastor of Avon Community Church in July; he is no longer being used in his capacity as volunteer chaplain in the Avon Police Department, said Chief Corey Nellis. His next hearing is scheduled for Aug. 27.




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