[Non-Sequitur]

AS I understand the story (and no surprise that the Wash Post does not give the whole story, at least in this excerpt), the gay man in question is living in an active "partnered" relationship.

I know a couple of hetereosexual couples living together without benefit of matrimony who attend my Methodist church. Should they be expelled, too?

[Prov3456]

Yes.

In an attempt to clarify and/or weaken the prohibition against homosexual pastors, the 2004 UM General Conference added unfaithfulness in marriage to the list of "chargeable offenses" (Paragraph 2702.1, 2004 Book of Discipline).

All sex outside one-man/one-woman marriage is against scripture's/God's intent and is therefore "sin."

When the Church (big "C") begins enforcing God's commands again, perhaps things will turn around in our nation/culture/world. It's clear that people have made a mess of everything.... :)

[Constantine XIII]

Remember, there is a difference in "attending" church and being a baptized member of the church. Anyone can come in and be preached to and spend time with the congregation, but that isn't the same as being a member of the body of Christ.