Mark
07-26-2007, 06:06 PM
Hello, my name is Mark. I was a LC-MS pastor for 16 years, and then I got booted from the pastoral roster of pastors. It wasn't even because I was gay, but merely attracted to men. The leadership was so threatened by the fact that I wanted to disclose to the congregation that I was struggling with attraction to men, they asked me to resign. It's a long story...and I will be glad to share with all of you my story. Long and short of it is...I am gay...have been since birth...and open and out for four years...and proud of it. It came at a hefty price, however.... I lost my church retirement, my home (divorce), my social standing as a "respectable" churchman...(hehe)...
but the highest and costliest came, when my children chose not to worship with me any longer because I worshiped at a "too liberal" (code word..."gay")
church; and when my ex-wife up and moved them 20 miles away from me, when at the time, I lived 12 houses away.
It has been a struggle. At times, I've wanted to take the church (local) and at large to court for their actions toward me. Unfortunately, employment hasn't provided the necessary income even to sustain a living, and then add onto that, child support for 3 children every month.
I am currently in the process of applying for an Executive Director position within a gay organization. Please pray...that I might land that position.
I so wanted to attend the recent conference in Irvine California. I attended
Concordia University, Irvine as an undergraduate. But more to the point, I had and have a few things to say about "dessert stream" "Exedous International" "Keys Ministry" and "Outpost". I was heavily involved in the ex-gay movement.
Anyway, ramblin' man...here! Just thought I would say hello.
but the highest and costliest came, when my children chose not to worship with me any longer because I worshiped at a "too liberal" (code word..."gay")
church; and when my ex-wife up and moved them 20 miles away from me, when at the time, I lived 12 houses away.
It has been a struggle. At times, I've wanted to take the church (local) and at large to court for their actions toward me. Unfortunately, employment hasn't provided the necessary income even to sustain a living, and then add onto that, child support for 3 children every month.
I am currently in the process of applying for an Executive Director position within a gay organization. Please pray...that I might land that position.
I so wanted to attend the recent conference in Irvine California. I attended
Concordia University, Irvine as an undergraduate. But more to the point, I had and have a few things to say about "dessert stream" "Exedous International" "Keys Ministry" and "Outpost". I was heavily involved in the ex-gay movement.
Anyway, ramblin' man...here! Just thought I would say hello.