LJ-SEC: (ORIGINALLY POSTED BY kynn)

Pastor Paul Barnes of the 2,100-member Grace Chapel of Englewood near Denver, Colorado, resigned after announcing in a video to his congregation that he engaged in sexual encounters with other men.

The Denver Post reported that an anonymous caller reported to the leaders of the church about overhearing a conversation in which someone mentioned "blowing the whistle" on evangelical preachers engaged in homosexuality, including Barnes. The leaders then confronted Barnes with the allegations.

In the video tape Barnes made for his congregation and viewed by reporters at the Denver Post, Barnes tearfully said he experienced homosexual tendencies since he was 5-years-old.

"I have struggled with homosexuality since I was a 5-year-old boy. I can't tell you the number of nights I cried myself to sleep, begging God to take this away," he said.

Barnes founded the Protestant mega church 28 years ago after graduating from Dallas Theological Seminary. He explained that he cannot accept that a person is born as a homosexual and said he asked God many times why he was called to start Grace Chapel, carrying a "horrible burden." In the video he said he considers his homosexuality a "thorn in his flesh" but expressed hope in a future where one can "be who you are" and be accepted and loved in the Christian community. He also spoke about how some are "separating some of the teachings from Scripture" from Jesus Christ.

Which makes me think of a great idea.

1. Locate the largest conservative evangelical mega-church
2. Go to a pay phone
3. Call them up and ask to speak to someone besides the minister
4. Tell them in hushed tones that you've overheard someone planning to out the preacher as gay
5. Hang up before they ask questions
6. Wait and see if anyone resigns
7. Find the next largest mega-church and repeat from step 2

Endless fun!

Disclaimer: Okay, not really.