Openly gay Methodist pastor won't be suspended
Mark Edward Williams, a gay Seattle United Methodist pastor at the center of the denomination's battle over homosexual clergy, won't be suspended during his disciplinary review. The United Methodist Church's Judicial Council overturned an earlier decision requiring bishops to suspend pastors during such review, and said it doesn't have the authority to make such requirements. Only the bishop can suspend a Methodist pastor, and Bishop Elias Galvan says he won't suspend Williams. The denomination continues to examine a formal complaint against Williams.

Michael W. Smith has friends forever in the GMA
The Dove Awards, Christian music's version of the Grammys, were held last night. No big surprise: Michael W. Smith was the big winner, taking home six awards, including artist of the year. The Gospel Music Association honored its longtime favorites like Smith, Steven Curtis Chapman, and recent favorites Third Day and Toby McKeehan. But the big financial successes in the Christian music industry were largely shut out. Mannheim Steamroller's Christmas Extraordinaire, 2001's top-selling album in the Christian genre, lost in the instrumental category. P.O.D. received several nominations, but no awards. The O Brother Where Art Thou soundtrack, also listed as Christian, wasn't nominated.

Cal Thomas looks Robertson's horses in the mouth
Now that The New York Times has revealed Pat Robertson's racehorses, columnist Cal Thomas says the broadcaster's rationalizations don't hold up.

"I don't bet and I don't gamble," Robertson told the paper Monday. "I just enjoy watching horses running and performing. … I wish horse racing was not supported by gambling. … I like to look at them as performers and ...