[No Longer Free State]

Also from the article: But it has declared that gay men and lesbians are "persons of sacred worth" and has repeatedly said there are no bars to their participation as lay people.

What do you call what the pastor did other than a rejection?

re·ject ( P ) Pronunciation Key (r-jkt)
tr.v. re·ject·ed, re·ject·ing, re·jects
1. To refuse to accept, submit to, believe, or make use of.
2. To refuse to consider or grant; deny.
3. To refuse to recognize or give affection to (a person).
4. To discard as defective or useless; throw away.

P.S. I know where to find dictionary listings, too

[pageonetoo]

Nationally, the Methodist Church prohibits "self-avowed, practicing homosexuals" from serving as ordained ministers. But it has declared that gay men and lesbians are "persons of sacred worth" and has repeatedly said there are no bars to their participation as lay people.

He was participating. He was singing, and sitting, IN THE BUILDING, hearing God's Word. He was not rejected from that. He was not accepted to be a MEMBER. He was given the opportunity to renounce his sin, but chose to remain in it.

In another thread, there is an update. It says the pastor will likely be re-instated...

[beezdotcom]

Also from the article: But it has declared that gay men and lesbians are "persons of sacred worth" and has repeatedly said there are no bars to their participation as lay people.

That's the crux of the split. There are many who disagree with that intepretation. As long as the denominational officials hold to that interpretation, the congregation is either bound to it - or, more likely, the church body there will choose to leave the denomination. (remember the Episcopals.)

As for my personal interpretation - the first step is recognizing sin as sin. If the fellow would at least agree that his homosexual lifestyle is just as sinful as my gluttony, or that guy's workaholism, or the tax cheat in the next pew, I would welcome him, whether or not I felt he was abstaining. We all stumble - but to encourage each other to stand back up, we must know which way is 'up'. If he wishes to teach that it is NOT sinful, then I would have to also discourage his membership.

[pageonetoo]

further, the fact that the butt buddy had been FULLY participating reflects the pastor's attitude of accept the sinner, but not the sin. He was allowing for the work of the Holy Spirit, by not sending the guy immediately on his way.

Jesus told the harlot, "go and sin no more".