Revered Sam Wynn was appointed District Superintendent of the Fayetteville Region's United Methodist Churches this weekend.
Before taking office a church official says Wynn is taking 60 days paid family leave following his wife's murder.
Rose Wynn died after being badly beaten inside the couple's Hoke County home.
The Sheriff says reverend Wynn has not been ruled out as a suspect.
Wynn has been working as the pastor of Holland's United Methodist Church in Raleigh.
