The United Methodist Church is expected to split into two denominations: one that's okay with gay marriage and one that's not.
It has been a long fight within the church over gay marriage -- and gay and lesbian clergy.
"We're weary,” says Kelli Beard, pastor at Holy Covenant Methodist Church in the Lincoln Park-Lakeview area.
It has worked to include same-sex marriage in the church.
"I know a lot of clergy who were brushing up on their resumes, myself included, leading up to this. Because we weren't sure about what the future was. And there's still a lot that's undecided,” Beard told WBBM Newsradio on Friday.
"A number of clergy (are) still thinking about what it means to be a Methodist in the midst of this. And so we're not there yet, but we're moving in the right direction."
Pastor Beard says it's "heartbreaking that it's taken so long. We've left a long trail of broken spirits along the way."
She says although she does not agree with the "traditionalists" -- those who want to keep gay marriage out of the church -- she gives thanks that "they're able to do their ministry in a context that makes sense for them."
Beard says she was raised Roman Catholic.
"It's always been a little perplexing to me -- particularly in American Protestantism -- about the splits that take place."