Pastor Richard Mahan, St. Timothy Lutheran Church, "I feel sick to my stomach."

Those comments at the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America's assembly in Minnesota last week garnered local Pastor Richard Mahan national attention.

Then Sunday, Mahan made his position on the denomination's decision to allow gay marriage very obvious by blacking out "Lutheran" on St. Timothy signs, and then giving a scathing 25 minute sermon.

Richard Mahan, "We welcome the sinner but we do not welcome the sin."

The Lutheran Church now allows homosexual clergy members and recognizes gay marriage, but that decision does not sit well with Mahan, who says the fall-out could be huge with many Lutherans leaving the church or churches leaving the Lutheran doctrine.

Richard Mahan, "This changes what the church has taught for 2000 years."

Richard Mahan, "I can not believe nor do I understand how the church I've loved and served for 40 years can condone what God condemns."

Charlie Rouse is a part of Rainbow Pride in Charleston,

He says the black-out is hurtful.

Charlie Rouse, Rainbow Pride, "There are a lot of gay and lesbians in healthy committed relationships who want recognition not only in the legal community but in the religious community as well."

But Mahan says for him it boils down to the word of God.