(WBIR - KNOXVILLE) - Friday's court decision legalizing gay marriage is prompting a range of responses from churches across East Tennessee.
One church leader says they're preparing to treat same-sex couples with the same scrutiny they give heterosexual couples.
Others say tradition won't allow them to perform gay marriages.
"There are some who are very grateful for this, some who are celebrating and have waited a very long time for this day.
"There are others who are grieving that, and it's my job to be a pastor to all of those folks," explained the Rev. Dr. Emily Anderson of New Providence Presbyterian Church.
Back in March the Presbytery of East Tennessee voted to recognize same sex marriage.
Now that it's legal across the country, the church says it's prepared to perform those ceremonies.
But the power to marry in the church is still in the pastor's hands.
"It is up to us to decide: Do we encourage this couple to continue this process of marriage or do we discourage them from that? And I can tell you in this congregation that both of these things have happened," said Anderson.
Some East Tennessee pastors say they won't preform any same sex ceremonies.
"I'm disturbed that five people (on the court) could change the course of a country and destroy something that's been a cornerstone of our civilization," said Pastor Clarence Sexton of Temple Baptist Church.
Some pastors fear the high court's decision will hurt future generations.
"What is the next generation going to think about marriage? What if three men want to get married or whatever the case may be?What if someone wants to marry one of their children?" asked Sexton.
Others worry this decision was made with politics, not families, in mind.
"Personally, I believe this is not about gay marriage. I believe this is about the destruction of traditional marriage," said Pastor Ed King of Redemption Church.
In churches where opinions are split, the duty rests with the pastor to move forward as one congregation.
"We're not going to split ourselves apart over this. It is more important that we be together and that we are going about the work of the kingdom of God in this place and in this time," said Anderson.
Pastor Sexton says he's concerned about being protected by the law if he chooses to decline to marry a gay couple. Two lawmakers in Nashville say they're working on a pastor protection bill, but others dismiss that bill as partisan and unnecessary.
