Greetings

[baldness_65]

First of all, I hope that it is cool that I am even here as I am straight and a full time minister in a mainstream evangelical church. I came across this site as a result of poking around the internet looking for fellow graduates of Evangel College/University. There seem to be a few of you here...howdy do to you. So why would I guy like me post to SF? Well here is the deal. Im in the closet. Not about my sexuality but rather about the fact that I am convinced that God cares not a whit about one's sexual orientation but rather cares greatly if we love Him and if we love those around us. It is my opinion that the mainstream Christian community has abdicated its resposibility to be ambasadors of Christ rather than Policemen for religious dogma. However the fact that I am all for Gay Rights and for the inclusion of EVERYONE into God's kindom doesn't wash in the environment that I am in. I could, concievably, lose my job if my views became known. Therefore I remain in the closet, so to speak, for now. But rest assured my friends that you have my prayers as well as my pledge to quietly try to change attitudes from the inside. Jesus has called us to love everyone and that is what I'm trying to do.
L.
PS. I must confess that i am really nervous about hitting the send button right now but somehow i feel like writing this is something God wants me to do so......here goes.

[Zerbie]

WELCOME!!!!!!!!! :D

I'm so glad you posted! Of course it's "cool" to join us. :cool: It's a big party over here (cue music). :aparty:

There are people of all persuasions/orientations around this forum, and the more the merrier.

As to keeping silent, or mostly silent, on gay issues, I've been there/done that. It is very hard to make yourself be the lone dissenting voice in any situation, especially about "gay" stuff, and in your case that is compounded by your job position. It's your prerogative to decide if and when to speak out and how. Your prayers are very much appreciated

Some of us are very outspoken. I've been awfully noisy myself this past year. But consider, those of us doing so are those who *can.* I have nothing to lose by doing so. It always depends on the entire context.

Thanks so much for the introduction, Baldness. Hope you will feel at home and come back to post some more. :)

[awediot]

Very nicely said baldness 65,

I'm sure you have gotten over greater fears than a little old button (amazingly powerful and committal as it is). It is great to hear of advocacy from the inside... Lots of topics could use your unique perspective... Glad to have you. Awediot/Dean

[Rick336]

It's nice to meet you Baldness65. Welcome to SoulForce.

It's great to have you here. I'm looking forward to your perspective on God's love and your imput on this forum. Feel free to post your thoughts anytime.:)

Rick

[keltic63]

welcome Baldness!!!! as you can see by my pic, I might have chosen the same cyber name!

My, my, the places that God takes us! sometimes we walk right in, and sometimes we go kicking and screaming (hello, moses?)

glad you hit the send button! now all you have to do is remember to clear your history so no one sees where you've been on the 'net! :lol:

[T&Lforever]

hi Baldness... welcome.... what mainstream Evangelical church are you affiliated with... Lutheran... if so... I am anxious to visit with you... (email me privately if you feel safer....)
I wish so much that you could speak out... heterosexual Ministers who feel this way seem like the obvious people to advocate for us... I am just slowly coming out after having been, shut down as a 15 year old in high school many years ago by my loving, caring but SCARED Christian parents, getting married, because it was the "right" thing to do and giving birth to two lovely kids... and then being somewhat miserable for the next 21 years... only to find out that God didn't want me, this wonderful gay Christian woman, to be miserable, He wanted me to be the ME He created me to be... He wants me to be an advocate for me and all those who are like me... the problem is, like you, I am in a situation right now as a school teacher in a small, midwest community, where my ex still lives (with his parents I might add), my one daughter who is still living with me in my home (college daughter is coming home to live with me in two days) that I can't do much to help... I am convinced though that He has great plans for me... I just need to be patient... which I have been for years... so, what is two more.. .right... we need more Lutheran churches to get on board and become Reconciling churches...

[tdogg]

Baldness65, it's so great that you are here. You can stay as anonymous as you want, just stay! I'm interested in what you have to say, another point of view is great and the more, the merrier! :aparty:

I'm sure you'll have a lot of interesting and thought provoking things to share with us and I'm looking forward to it. The SF forums are safe, fun, informative and a great place to find friends - the people here are wonderful. :love:

Anyway, a huge welcome, thanks for the thoughts and prayers and glad you are here! :rainbow:

[schoolboi]

Baldness65 welcome!

I am glad you are here. As a gay man I understand you quandary just on a slightly different level. I grew up in the Assemblies of God in an extremely devout family. My grandmother was an itinerate evangelist. All I ever wanted to do from the time I first started talking was be a preacher. My first two years out of high school I across Oklahoma, Kansas, and Missouri preaching revival meetings. I knew I was doing what I was created to do, but at the same time I was struggling with my sexual orientation. I knew if I were to ever come out that would be the end of my dream to be a minister. I would loose everything, and I did not know how to do anything else. In 1998 the struggle became too much to bear and I made the choice to give up preaching and ministry and just be gay. Over the years I have realized that the only thing I had to give up was the Assemblies of God. I can still preach and minister. I have been a youth pastor for more then a year and this fall I will begin seminary. I still consider myself Pentecostal. Now I am able to be honest with others, and myself and reach out with hope and unconditional love to those with similar struggles.

What I am trying to say is I know what you mean when you say that you would loose everything. I have been there. If I was on your side of the coin I don’t know if I would have ever come out as a straight ally. At the same time I have several straight friends who have taken that leap and have lost a lot, but still say it was worth it. Take Bishop Carlton Pearson for example. He is a good friend of mine and I would be happy to get you in contact with him if you like. When he started preaching God’s inclusive love for GLBT people he lost almost everything. The church went from 5000 in weekly attendance to 300. He already has it built back up to 500! And is voice is being heard by a whole new group of people.

Knowing that you are in the place you are at still gives me hope that there are others like you also hiding in the shadows. Thank you for your willingness to share with us. I would love to talk with you some time and hear your entire story.

Corey H.

[kimmyd]

:love: Thank you so very much. You're an inspiration; I so appreciate this.

Kim


First of all, I hope that it is cool that I am even here as I am straight and a full time minister in a mainstream evangelical church. I came across this site as a result of poking around the internet looking for fellow graduates of Evangel College/University. There seem to be a few of you here...howdy do to you. So why would I guy like me post to SF? Well here is the deal. Im in the closet. Not about my sexuality but rather about the fact that I am convinced that God cares not a whit about one's sexual orientation but rather cares greatly if we love Him and if we love those around us. It is my opinion that the mainstream Christian community has abdicated its resposibility to be ambasadors of Christ rather than Policemen for religious dogma. However the fact that I am all for Gay Rights and for the inclusion of EVERYONE into God's kindom doesn't wash in the environment that I am in. I could, concievably, lose my job if my views became known. Therefore I remain in the closet, so to speak, for now. But rest assured my friends that you have my prayers as well as my pledge to quietly try to change attitudes from the inside. Jesus has called us to love everyone and that is what I'm trying to do.
L.
PS. I must confess that i am really nervous about hitting the send button right now but somehow i feel like writing this is something God wants me to do so......here goes.

[Jennifer5]

:) Welcome!!!:)

[Lydia]

Welcome, baldness_65.