Almost There

It's wonderful to see you here again. I'm impressed with the extent to which you seem at peace...concerned about the future, sure...absolutely uncertain, yes...but at peace. It shows, and it's inspiring.

There will be options for you. If you love what you do and do it well, somebody somewhere will be willing to pay you for it.

Very best wishes to you in your final stages of the beginning of this process!

 

I hope that you can be allowed to resign with dignity, since that will ease you path forward, whether or not you stay in pastoral ministry.

From what you have written here today, I find myself hoping that you do remain in the pastorate. The journey that you're in the middle of right now will strengthen your gifts for ministry I've watched it happen several times, and it is beautiful and humbling to see. And there certainly are Lutheran congregations who will welcome a pastor who lives authentically and honestly. (I belong to one, and I know of many others.)

Hold strong, and let us know how the week goes.

 

Wishing you all the best. I hope it all turns out as well as possible for you. Please keep us posted.

As a former calligrapher, I love your username.

 

Wow! This is indeed a big week.

All I can say is that you'll be a better pastor having gone through the experience of coming out.

I wish you and those close to you all my best.

I hope that you will gain strength and inner peace from this experience, and I look forward to hearing how it goes.

 

Good luck to you! I'm certain that there are many places where you can put your ministerial talents to good use.

Though I'm not that much of a religious man myself (though raised Catholic), I can say that I believe things happen for a reason, even though that reason might not be known to us right now. Therefore, even if you wind up defrocked, perhaps something better will come of it.

Hang in there!

 

For your future in ministry, keep in mind there are gay ministers across all denominations that face varying levels of suppression. I would imagine these men and women would appreciate very much having a support network to lean on while the larger church body contorts itself into rationalizing doctrine with reality. It will happen eventually, but it will be painful in the process; just look at the upheaval caused in the church centuries ago by the scientific revolution, we are now on the cusp of a psychological revolution in the church.

 

Wishing you well. XX

 

There is one thing you should know, wherever this road leads-you need to know that you ARE doing God's work. I have felt His presence and love in my darkest days thru you. I am not Lutheran. I am Catholic. I was lost. You were the first person I came across handing out roadmaps. No matter what anyone tells you, no matter what decision is 'officially' made, know that you were meant to be a vehicle which God uses to help those who have lost their path. I have found mine again. I have reconnected with God. I know and feel the reality of something bigger in my life. I lost myself and have opened my eyes to a me who is better and more beautiful and good in God's eyes... And a HUGE part of that started right here- with you. My gratitude has no words. YOU did make a difference in my life via an anonymous website... I can only imagine the magnitude of lives you've touched by those far less verbose than I.

Wishing you the very best. Xxo

 

Just know there are many religious men who have the same pressure you are dealing with. You are far from alone. The church communities who refuse to deal with this rationally to date will likely go through some significant difficulty when confronted with reality in the years to come. Not only the reality of what it is to be gay, but also the reality that being in denial of the worthwhile contribution of gays in the church and larger society will have larger repercussions on the church itself.

 

You are in my thoughts and prayers, friend. I have to believe this is all part of God's plan, and that in the end, all will work out for the best.

Take care...

 

Pal, I don't have to tell you that God works in strange ways that we don't always understand. Or that change is hard and painful, but at the same time wonderful and uplifting. You have a great ability to reach people, and this may give you the opportunity to grow in ways you never expected, and touch people who desperately need it. It hasn't been easy for you, and it probably won't be for awhile, but you're moving in a positive direction and you're already a better person for it. And the people you come in contact with as a result of this will be better people too. Best of luck to you. You've certainly been in my prayers during last week's Holy Week marathon (parish musician and singer, remember--I basically lived at church last week!), and you will continue to be.

 

I'm thinking about you, palimpsest, and wishing you all the best this afternoon.

 

Hi palimpsest,

Sorry to hear that it sounds like it was a bit rough. Still, it must be a relief to have that chapter behind you. And if I understand correctly, in being allowed to resign, that was the better of the two scenarios you envisioned? And means you didn't lose as much as you feared? I hope that is the case.

I hope you have at least a bit more peace at this point. God knows you've been down a rough road. It can only get better now, right?

Take care...

 

God showed me something about 6 weeks ago that has propelled me forward in my journey. It's not anything that's difficult to understand or profoundly deep. On the contrary, it's very simple but powerful. Here it is: We don't get a new life until we let the old one die. That's it, simple like I said. We struggle, reaching for the new life we know should be ours, but at the same time, we keep the old life on life support because of our fear of what letting go of it will cause. Whatever happens, just remember that no man can pluck you out of His hand.