Bradley Schmeling is the pastor of St. John's Lutheran Church, Atlanta,
Georgia, where he has served since 2000. A graduate of Ohio University and
Trinity Lutheran Seminary, he served an ELCA congregation in Columbus,
Ohio and then moved to Atlanta to do some doctoral work at Emory University
in pastoral care and liturgy. In 2007 Bradley was tried and removed from
the clergy roster of the ELCA process because of his committed relationship
with Pastor Darin Easler. His trial led to a decision by the ELCA to ask
bishops to exercise restraint and to refrain from the discipline of gay,
lesbian, bisexual, and transgender clergy. Despite the ruling, St. John's
Lutheran Church continues to consider Bradley as their called and ordained
pastor.