Wow - I know that, at times, I start some pretty controversial threads, but I honestly had no idea that this thread would garner such emotional reactions. Now, if someone wants to troll me, and call me a retard for stating this, after the reactions that have been expressed in this thread, I guess I would have to agree with the troll - I am a retard - LOL.
Seriously, here is my take on the whole issue:
1) To those on one side, who are saying that homosexuality is not sinful, I would have to honestly disagree. If you believe the Bible, which is purported to be God's word, being gay IS a sin. There can be no argument here.
2) To those on the other side, who are judging the pastor so harshly, with all due respect, you are also wrong. Homosexuality may be a sin, but so is lust, gluttony, greed, cheating on your taxes, not being willing to help the poor, cussing, supporting wars that did not have to be, in which innocents are slaughtered, putting politics above religion, and a kajillion other practices which, according to the Bible, will result in hell for those of us who practice these sins. So, who is going to hell? Each and every one of us, that's who. "For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God". This, of course, is why Christ died for us. Without sin, Christ would never have been needed.
3) So what about the preacher who came out as gay? Should he still be the head of the church? Why not? Since we are all sinners, who is going to be left to teach the love of Jesus Christ, if none of us is worthy to teach it?
4) The preacher coming out, and admitting that he is a sinner, in the face of so much "Do as I say, not as I do" hypocrisy, IMHO, was a courageous act, even if done after many years. I am sure that the preacher knew what was going to be coming his way, in the form of blowback, but he came out anyways. Again, IMHO, he is just the sort of person that I would want to head a church, and teach the love of Christ. He knows he is a sinner, but he is not getting up on his high horse and telling everybody else how they are going to hell, while being a sinner. That is in stark contrast to those who want to use the rule of law to regulate the lives of everybody else while, at the same time, not being willing to admit that they are sinners themselves. That is in even starker contrast to the Fred Phelps' of this world, and those who believe that God gives them the right to shoot abortion doctors. This pastor's honesty is refreshing, and yes, very much like the teachings of Christ. Once again, there is NO sinless person in this world, other than one who died a couple of millenia ago. He died for our sins, and we are all sinners. According to the Bible, that is the key to salvation. What is not the key to salvation is pointing out the mote in the eyes of others, while ignoring the beam in our own eye.
5) Therefore, I stand by what I originally posted. To one side - I agree with your assessment on what sin is, but disagree with your assessment that the pastor should relinquish his position. To the other side, I agree that there is much hypocrisy, but homosexuality is still a sin, as is any other sin.
6) However, let he who is without sin cast the first stone. Per the Bible, absolutely NONE of us has this right. IMHO, the pastor is very qualified to preach from his pulpit - Much more qualified than those who demand that he step down, for he has been true to the word of God, by stating the obvious - That he is a sinner - When even the obvious is light years out of reach to many of his detractors, who would rather point a finger at him instead of themselves, which is where their own finger of blame should really be pointed.
7) Once again, God bless you, pastor.
Critical Thought is banned from this thread at this time. Any further posts will be 5 point infractions. I let you have your say, but you've had a dozen posts to troll and that's enough already. 
