Hello from Bristol, Tennessee

[morrisjer]

Hi everyone,

I have been reviewing this forum, and enjoy the responses. Where should I begin? Well, I am taking college online, and it won't be long until I am finished. I am a writer and have had my work published. I also used to model. Right now I am living alone with three cats; Morris, Jerry, and Max. I also have a dog in the back yard.
My parents live down the street. I attend a church; a First Free Will Baptist Church. Let me say that the people there are great, and the pastor is a great preacher. However...when it comes to gays...sometimes he sneers, etc. I know that no church is perfect, but I wish that the pastor would search deep in his heart and find room for all peoples. I know God will lead me in the right way, and if I am to stay at this church, so be it. But I do not share the sneers and condemnation.
One thing: sorry folks, but our government is now showing its true colors. They are greedy and bigots. They do not want to listen to America's wishes unless it is for their personal gain. We are now in heat over immigration. Our government would gladly pass amnesty to millions of illegals than to give gay Americans the right to marry. It is time to listen to your heart. It feels as if our government is now polishing the seat for the Anti-Christ. Take care.

Jerry W. Tate

[awediot]

Hi Jerry,

Firey, anti-gov. already... We'll get along well. Scarey to watch the desperatizationing (I know, I make words up) of the people, pre-anti-christ. We'll love him.. Look forward to seeing more.

Dean/Awediot

[Jennifer5]

Welcome Jerry!!

I think Dean said it perfectly...

Firey, anti-gov. already... We'll get along well. Scarey to watch the desperatizationing (I know, I make words up) of the people, pre-anti-christ. We'll love him.. Look forward to seeing more.

You'll fit in perfectly!!! Glad to have you here and hope to hear more from you!

[Zerbie]

Hello and pleased to make your acquaintance.

Welcome to the forum!!!

[BruceChris]

Welcome Jerry!
I think you'll fit right in here. (When it comes to terrorism, it becomes more and more problematic as to who the terrorists are) Just remember, God loves you/us.

Peace and Love, BruceChris

[Lydia]

Welcome, Jerry.

Have you spoken with your pastor specifically about his beliefs? It might do him some good to hear another perspective.

[morrisjer]

HI, this is Morrisjer,

I noticed that my last posting was NOV. 2005, three years ago!!! What has happened to me now? Well, my pastor at First Free Will Baptist Church is resigning as of Jan. 25, 2009. He has been there 25 years! A few weeks ago, he stated that he wanted the commitee to find another pastor, and that he would remain the associate pastor. Now, he has resigned. WHY? Many would like to know but no one knows.

He still talks about gays in a BAD light. However, straight whore bars and straight men just receive "slight" condemnation. It has taken me over five years to say this...but...FUCK HIM!!!

I need a church in my town that doesn't crucify anyone. I am from Bristol, TN.

Any clues?

Morrisjer

[Gennee]

Hi Jerry and welcome to the site.

Gennee

[Pablo Rafael]

Hi Jerry,

I don't think I was around when you made your first post. So I will say, "Nice to meet you."

I am very much at home in my Catholic parish. People have been great to me there. But the Catholic church can be hit-and-miss when it comes to acceptance of LGBT parishoners. Also this summer I started playing music in an Episcopal church. I am very much impressed by the warmth and loving acceptance in the Episcopal church. My boyfriend who lives in the Bible Belt of the South had a hard time with a Baptist upbringing and some unpleasant experiences in fundamentalist churches. He has just started going to an Episcopal church and has been warmly welcomed. He loves it there. My recommendation is to talk with the priests of the Episcopal churches around you. See what they have to say.

I have also heard many good reports from ELCA Lutheran churches from relatives and aquaintances. (It has to be ELCA; LCMS and WELS Lutheran are horses of a differet color altogether.) Unfortunately there are no ELCA churches in my area, so I have only second-hand knowledge of them.

Anyhow, that is my advice. I have found the Episcopal church Biblically-based but not rigid and dogmatic, open-minded but still substantial theologically.

Tu Amigo, Pablo

[u-dog]

Originally Posted by Pablo Rafael

Hi Jerry,

My boyfriend who lives in the Bible Belt of the South had a hard time with a Baptist upbringing and ...

Tu Amigo, Pablo

OK Pablo ... did I miss something here? boyfriend? hmmmm....

[Unmasked]

I love Bristol! The caverns are beautiful.

Unfortunately I don't know much about churches there, though I don't really identify as Christian anymore these days. However, gaychurch.com has a wonderful directory.