Finally did it!

[Sammiejoe]

OK so I finally came out last week and shock of shocks everyone was so great about it the outpouring of support from family was not at all what I expected;I thought my mom would really be unable to handle it but she's been so great. This has truly been a learning experience for me to trust the people I love to not disappoint me and while there are certainly still issues with those outside my family such as my church, I feel like since I've told my family and they're OK I don't really care about anyone else's opinion. On a sad note I may have to step down from the ministries that I'm in as now my Pastor knows and it's up to him if a person can stay or go within a ministry once they are found to be "Sinning" and as from a biblical perspective in his mind I'm now living a sinful lifestyle I'll just have to see what happens. All in all I'm very happy about the choice I made and it's just taken such a weight off my shoulders and I now feel so free and excited about my life and where it's going and can go.

[wac14]

Amen Sammiejoe! I have seen that almost always, people take it better than we think when we come out to them. I will pray that the ministry situation will go well. I voluntarily left my previous ministry shortly before I came out and then later joined an affirming church! Be blessed!

[New_Morning]

Congratz! Keep us informed on how the whole church thing plays out.

I'll pray for ya :)

[Pastor Weekly]

I'm so happy for you Sammiejoe. Coming out is certainly not something that every gay Christian can or must do; but whenever someone does, my heart just leaps for joy!

It's wonderful and encouraging to know that your family has responded so well. I do encourage you to understand that it'll still be a process for some/many of them. Even though the initial response was better than expected, over time, and after letting it sink in, more questions may arise in their minds. Just be patient and walk the journey through with them. Still, how wonderful that their initial response was so receptive and loving!

Keep us posted on how things progress with your church. I take my hat off to you, and pray that God's will and purpose will be made manifest in your life, continually.

Pastor Weekly


P.S. Do you have a copy of Homosexianity? As you were talking about your pastor, I was thinking about Chapter 6: Reexamining the Culture of the Church. It may provide him with some degree of perspective as he weighs his options and seeks the Lord for guidance.

[Sozo]

Oh my goodness I'm so happy for you! One thing that I learned along the way is that no matter how much we think we hide it, and as much as we certainly try, we're not always as good as we think we are. You'll find, if you haven't already that someone is going to say they already knew. Friends, family, co workers...someone is gonna know, no matter how "good" we are at pretending. Anyway, you don't have to pretend now...CONGRATULATIONS!

I'm praying for your church situation, keep us posted!

[wac14]

I'm so happy for you Sammiejoe. Coming out is certainly not something that every gay Christian can or must do; but whenever someone does, my heart just leaps for joy!

It's wonderful and encouraging to know that your family has responded so well. I do encourage you to understand that it'll still be a process for some/many of them. Even though the initial response was better than expected, over time, and after letting it sink in, more questions may arise in their minds. Just be patient and walk the journey through with them. Still, how wonderful that their initial response was so receptive and loving!

Keep us posted on how things progress with your church. I take my hat off to you, and pray that God's will and purpose will be made manifest in your life, continually.

Pastor Weekly


P.S. Do you have a copy of Homosexianity? As you were talking about your pastor, I was thinking about Chapter 6: Reexamining the Culture of the Church. It may provide him with some degree of perspective as he weighs his options and seeks the Lord for guidance.

I agree. Get a copy! One benefit of Homosexianity is while some book on the subject work only to deconstruct myths about being gay and the Bible, Pastor Romell actually list practical considerations and actions that we should take because of out new found knowledge about being gay and the Bible, including where we as gay Christians fit into the church.

[Sammiejoe]

Thanks guys and yes you're right as the days go by people do have more questions all of which I try to answer as honestly as I can. I've decided to make an effort to repair things with my cousin but I'm on the fence if I really should since I know she's not OK with it; she loves me but she cant really deal with my "lifestyle". I miss our relationship and the closeness we used to have and I think my coming out has only made it worse as now their is no chance I'm going to say oops I made a mistake not really gay, glad that was just between us. I know that the battle's not mine and I cant change her heart only God can but it's a struggle and I'm angry over it. I'm praying for wisdom on how to deal with that. As for my Pastor I was thinking of getting him a copy of your book Pastor, lol he cant have mine I'm not parting with it. I don't know that he'll read it but I figure better to offer and have him turn it down then not bother at all. What does the bible say " You have not because you ask not" I'm scheduling a meeting with him regarding the ministry thing so I'll offer it then. Thanks again for everything everyone, I've been talking about this website so much my mom has actually started going on here she had some scriptures and papers printed out when I got home yesterday and I was like yep I know Pastor said that. I'm going to get her a copy of your book as well.


Sam

[Sozo]

Praise the Lord!

I'm so very excited for you. I know that you still have areas and family members that you are working on, but don't be angry. We can only live our lives as honestly and authentically as we know how. If someone has a problem with us and our faith it's up to them to work that out, not us. We can offer scripture to support what we believe, as we should, but it's up to them what they do with it.

Praying for you!!