Hi All

[mew24]

Hey, I am glad to join this forum. I felt "called" to the ministry after graduating High School. I went to college to become a Methodist Minister. Before finishing the first quarter in college I realized that being gay was an impediment to my being an honest voice of that call. South Georgia was not ready for a gay minister, nor was my family. I am so thankful that this generation of young gay people may not have to feel the way I did in 1982.
I regret my decision at times, (to forgo the ministry); However, I love life now and would not trade a thing for my spirituality. I look forward to knowing more of you through this forum. Thanks. M

[tymejumper]

Welcome, sorry you had to give up something you were called to do. I am around your age, I just closed that closet door tight and didn't comeout in the 80'S!

[mew24]

I gave-up the call to live a ministry. I came to the personal understanding that I had to first be honest with myself. I could not preach "the truth" and live a lie. It was difficult. I am living as I feel God intended, just not in the way I think some men/women would have hoped for when I was 18. You are very kind to respond in such a personal way.

[Daniel]

I graduated from an AG college in '81, so we are of the same generation, yes?

That decade was not the best one to come out, was it? With AIDS on the the horizon and fear in the air- you could cut it with a knife. So I understand your decision- and acknowledge your integrity in not entering a life which would have meant compromising your very self.

That's one of those life decisions upon which everything hinges.

My thinking? We are all ministers. We are all called to serve one another in whatever way we have been gifted. And that's no small matter. Love is Love after all. Can't box it and put a collar on it! ;)

[mew24]

Gibran is a favorite of mine. I would love to share a meal with him. Yes, the 80's were very tough. I believe that there are no mistakes, only opportunities to gain deeper insight in the human condition. A church is just a building, after all. It is a gift to have found so many people who have carried their own ministries through these last decades and have perservered. I pray we can continue to do so. Thanks for your thoughts and care.

[BruceChris]

Your calling is and must be between yourself and God, but there are other roads to follow out here. I am a member of the United Church of Christ, and here in Minneapolis I know several gay and lesbian persons of the cloth, and even one trans minister.

We even have a local Lutheran church that has made it clear to their diocese that they are going to keep their lesbian minister.

Minneapolis may not be Georgia, but for those of us in Minneapolis, that's not such a bad thing.

Peace and Love, Bruce Chris

[antiochian]

Hello, welcome! Do stick around! We love making new friends.

[mew24]

Thank you. I can never have enough like minded friends. Soulforce has been welcome company for me.