He met with black pastors in Atlanta and pledged to solicit $1 million to help rebuild the churches.

Prominent Democrats rejected the notion of a split between the caucus and black pastors.

"Black theologians and black pastors haven't been together meeting for many years."

Does the black pastor know the significance of the lilies?

When he was reassigned, he hoped to be succeeded by a black pastor.

He retired in 1990 as the dean of black pastors in the United States.

"Another question was, 'Do we run the risk of running more white people out by bringing in a black pastor?' "

From its beginning, the congregation had been led by black pastors.

"The backlash is on the streets," he said, "among blacks and black pastors who do not want to be aligned with homosexuals."

Some black pastors enmeshed in the issue agree.