COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- A leading civil rights advocate and senior pastor of a Colorado Springs church said he'll step away from the pulpit on Sunday, a few weeks after acknowledging to the congregation that he's gay.

The Rev. Benjamin L. Reynolds of Emmanuel Missionary Baptist Church revealed his sexual orientation at a church meeting last month, and announced at the same meeting that he'd be leaving.

Church Deacon Kevin Hagans said many in the 500-member congregation felt that homosexuality goes against Christian doctrine.

Reynolds said his stance on gay and lesbian issues -- not his own orientation -- led him to quit. Reynolds has long been an advocate and declared the church an "open and affirming" place for gays and lesbians to worship. He said that upset a lot of members.

Reynolds said he has a "pastor’s heart," and would like to return to a church at some point.

"I’ve not lost sight of my faith," he told the Colorado Springs Gazette.