Hello, from Nathan in Austin, TX!

[NathanATX]

Hi Everyone!

Let's see... about me... My name is Nathan Black. I lead a young adult ministry at MCC Austin. www.mccaustin.com/fuel (http://www.mccaustin.com/fuel)

I'm preparing to go seminary this year...

I can't think of a whole lot else... (I'm tired) :)

Check out my blog for more on "me" http://blog.myspace.com/nathanatx

talk to y'all soon!
Nathan

[Jennifer5]

Welcome

What made you decide to go into ministry?

[NathanATX]

I've always felt called to ministry. By that I mean I've always felt compelled to help people experience God's love. In the past, I've just been a "good church member" and even now I'm a volunteer, leading a young adult ministry. But this past year has been so amazing and I've seen the impact I have been able to have on young people's lives... I now feel led to prepare for full time ministry.

[Jennifer5]

Will you be a MCC minister or something else?

[SolInvictus]

Welcome to the forum! Glad to have you here.

[keltic63]

welcome Nathan! that's very cool that you're planning for seminary.....I may be headed there myself someday....just waiting for God to let me know.

[Zerbie]

Hi Nathan - welcome aboard! hooray for Austin - a good city, though with some horrendous traffic! We're on our way there right now to visit family.

[NathanATX]

Will you be a MCC minister or something else?

I definitely am going to pursue MCC ordination. I'm not sure what my ministry is going to look like, but it most likely will be a full time pastor. I grew up in an independent church and I like that format, but the more I learn about MCC, I think this is where God is leading me.

Nathan

[schoolboi]

Nathan! Great to see you on the Soulforce boards!

I hope as you plan for seminary that you look at Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, CA. www.psr.edu I start there his fall. We could go to school together!

[NathanATX]

heya Corey,
I just sent PSR a request for their catalog & application. There's a couple seminaries here in Texas that I'm looking at... My Pastor really wants me to consider Austin Presbyterian Seminary http://www.austinseminary.edu/ (http://www.austinseminary.edu/). It looks like a great school.

and I am excited about the one in Dallas, Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University, http://www.smu.edu/theology/ (http://www.smu.edu/theology/).

I like the idea of staying close to "home," especially to continue my work with the young adult ministry here. I have a good friend who will let me stay with him, rent-free while I'm in school. And I've already been told I can do my "internship" at my home church.

I think a lot of that is about me staying in my "comfort zone," which is probably something I need to look at. And I know I want to be in the "right" school that God has for me.

I'll certainly add PSR to my list of schools to check out. It would be AWESOME to go to school with you! :)

anyway, take care!
nathan

[Big-Cheese]

Leaving the forum
Nice meeting you all
Thanx for friendship
Blessings

[Jennifer5]

My dad went to seminary at PSR so our family lived there for about 2 1/2 years... it was a great place to live, there are lots of things to do in the area, and it's really pretty... I can send you both pictures if you would like...

[schoolboi]

[QUOTE=Big-Cheese]
What are the entry requiremnets for MCC church ministry?
QUOTE]

Cheese,

Here is a link to info about becoming MCC clergy (http://www.mccchurch.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=For_Clergy)

FYI I have started a new thread (http://www.soulforce.org/forums/showthread.php?t=128)to discuss GLBTQ people in seminary and seeking ordination.

[roggie]

Hi Nathan,

I had a chance to read your blog. I enjoyed reading it. I am also planning on going to seminary next year. I am involved with the UCC church here in Detroit. I look forward in getting to know you.

Kind Regards,

-Dan

[NathanATX]

I didn't want to post this in the main forum because the focus is on other topics...

As of last Sunday... I am INCREDIBLY excited to share that I finally have a boyfriend! He's gorgeous and sweet and passionate for God... :)

AND! Last night I found out I have a beautiful 18 year old sister! (long story... our dad needs prayer) She is really a cool person... and I'm excited about getting to know her!

What a week!

[Jamie McDaniel]

As of last Sunday... I am INCREDIBLY excited to share that I finally have a boyfriend! He's gorgeous and sweet and passionate for God... :)
Wow!
Last night I found out I have a beautiful 18 year old sister! (long story... our dad needs prayer) She is really a cool person... and I'm excited about getting to know her!
Double Wow!

Blessings of new people in your life, Nathan!

[keltic63]

What a week you've had Nathan! congrats! I'm very happy for you.

[Jennifer5]

That's great Nathan tell us more about this guy! Tell us more about your sister... if you're willing, I would love to know... after all I have a similar family...:)

[Zerbie]

:D


YAYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes, do tell us more.

(Anyone thinking of that song from "Grease"? Tell me more! Tell me more!)

[Jennifer5]

That was a funny movie!

TELL! TELL! TELL! Please!

[Vanessa White]

Yes, Nate, do tell, what exciting news, I am happy for you to have these blessings come into your life. You deserve it. Let us know how everything evolves. Peace and love, Vanessa:love:

[NathanATX]

You know how you feel God is leading you to do something but you keep resisting it? Well, nice to meet you, I'm Nathan. :) I've been becoming more and more aware of a call to ministry over the past few years... it's basically a renewal of the call I felt as a teenager. And the clearer it gets, the more I resist.

Until I decided to visit some seminaries. MCC ordination requirements include getting a Master of Divinity, so I started checking some schools out. And the very first school I visit, I see this gorgeous gay guy who is also checking out the school during their "Discovery Weekend."

I kept having to remind myself that I was there to start preparing for ministry... not to find a husband. :)

We ended up having some great conversations and decided to get some dinner and later go dancing with some of his friends on Saturday Night. During dinner he disclosed he was seeing a guy, but that it wasn't really going anywhere. And later that night the guy he was seeing came out dancing. He was obviously feeling threatened by me hanging out with them, so I tried to do my own thing... Bless you Cher, Kylie & Madonna. My 2nd favorite Trinity. :)

On Monday I sent him an email apologizing because I felt like I was coming on strong, instead of just enjoying hanging out. He basically told me that he was very interested in me... he wished I had actually been forward...

That sparked several weeks of daily emails & phone calls.

He came down to spend some time with me last weekend... we went to some great little restaurants, went kayaking, went to church, spent some time with my friends...

I just can't get it out of my head that he literally walked out of my journal...

"I want a man who loves God and will either participate with me in ministry or support me in it."

"I want a man who loves children."

"I want a man with the same values about sex & fidelity."

"Lord you know I have a weakness for hispanic men... but your will be done."

"I want someone that inspires, encourages & challenges me... and lets me be the same for him..."

It's unbelievable... Wait... It IS believable! :pray: :love: :)

So here's the lesson. Follow where God is leading you... even if you're not sure.

"For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord, "plans to prosper you and to give you a hope and a future."

www.nateblack.us

[Jennifer5]

Nate that's great! Doesn't sound possible that he could be so perfect... that's amazing!:weee: I hope this lasts a long time for you... this guy sounds , in my opinion, pretty much perfect for you.:love:

[Zerbie]

Sounds good! :) I'm happy for you.

[Daniel]

Hi Nathan,

I'm new to the boards too.

Your writing aims and desires are inpiring. They remind me how I met my spouse, John, 14 years ago. Though I didn't write anything down at the time, I kept close to my heart the qualities that I wanted in a life-partner when I sat and meditated. One day this thought came strongly to mind: "To have a Prince you must be a Prince." (Yes- he is very charming.)

Your joy in newfound love and aims for your future reminded me of this:

1) Desire, whether for a boyfriend or a career, isn't a bad thing. It's the fuel in the engine that keeps the motor running.

2) God will help us achieve those desires if we listen and act accordingly.

May you both be blessed.