A Methodist minster was suspended for 30 days last month after he was found guilty in a church trial for officiating his son's same-sex wedding against church regulations.

Last month, Frank Schaefer, the 51-year-old pastor of Zion United Methodist Church, was found guilty by a jury of 13 ordained clergy members of two charges: performing a same-sex wedding, and disobeying church law, according to Cathy Husid-Shamir, a Schaefer family spokesperson.

It has been reported that at the end of the 30-day period, the pastor will be relieved of his pastoral duties unless he renounces gay marriage.

"Maybe I compromised my ritual purity, it is what Jesus called me to do for the sake of love... I cannot fathom how I would change my mind in that time or in any time," Schaefer testified at the trial. "To me this is discrimination. It's not right. So many people have been hurt. Not just my son -- my children -- but thousands of gay, lesbian bisexual, transgender people have been hurt by the church and by society. It has to stop. We've got to realize what we're doing here with our theology, our doctrine, and really, our hate speech."

After hearing the verdict of the trial, dozens of gay and lesbian advocates in the audience threw their folding chairs on the floor in protest and began singing hymns and performing Communion in the middle of the gym that had been used for the hearing, according to The Washington Post.

Rev. Schaefer once believed that homosexuality was incompatible with his Christian beliefs, but he recently told CNN his views on the controversial topic have changed over time.

The Pastor's son, Tim Schaefer, came out to his father in 2000. The minister spoke to his son after an anonymous caller told him his son was gay and was contemplating suicide.

"We said to him, 'you are made in the image of God just like everyone else, so when he asked me in 2007, 'Dad, would you do my wedding?' I was just honored," Schaefer said.

Schaefer and his son were interviewed on ABC show, "The View," on Thursday and spoke openly about the matter.

When asked if he would do the same thing even though it could jeopardize his "life call" as a pastor, he responded, "Absolutely, consider my crime. I blessed the commitment of two people that were in love for each other and one was my beautiful son Tim."

Tim Schaefer said he was very involved in church growing up.

"Both of my parents have really affirmed me and loved me unconditionally. I'm so proud of my dad for taking a stand."

The younger Schaefer said he struggled with thoughts of suicide because he perceived the message of the church against homosexuality as hateful.

Rev. Schaefer went on to say, "The church is 'behind the times.'" All three of the reverend's sons are gay and they have been the catalyst in his opinions on the matter evolving. He now believes that gay people do not choose their lifestyle but that "it is who they are."

Rev. Schaefer said when he found out that his sons were gay he struggled and he thought he must have been at fault. He concluded the interview by stating that parents should stand behind their children.

The suspension has garnered extensive media attention this week, and has added further pressure on some Christians who are put in the position to choose between compassion or standing up for their beliefs. The Christian Church has believed for thousands of years that scripture labels homosexuality a sin, and that there is no biblical basis for gay marriage; oppositely they believe the Bible clearly defines marriage as being the union of one man and one woman before God.