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Emmanuel Baptist Church
Pastor Benjamin Reynolds said his stance on gay and lesbian issues caused friction with some members at his church.

Gay Baptist Pastor Leaves Pulpit

Benjamin Reynolds Chose To Step Down

POSTED: 8:41 am MDT October 27, 2006

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.

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