I would like to have a respectful conversation with you about why you are no longer a minister. I don't want to change your mind, nor am I looking to have my mind changed. I understand people much better when I know where their feelings and thoughts originate from. If you don't want to discuss it on this public forum you can shoot me an email to hetahema at hotmail dot com. Or, if you prefer, you can tell me it is none of my business. I am OK with that, too. 🙂

Heather

ok...but it's time for bfast right now...and football's on today...but i don't mind talking about it

Cool, thanks!

OK...part one kinda

going backwards from the present situation to the possible sources, i guess the simplest answer to why i don't want to be a MINISTER anymore is that I no longer hold the theological/moral convictions nor the behavioral standards that is expected of a good minister

I know ministers aren't perfect and some are downright trash...but ministers in all faiths have standards to which they are expected to meet both in their heart and in their behavior...and i believe that is the right of the particular church or faith to expect that from them

i, however, no longer meet them or at least withdraw the authority of anyone to place those standards upon me

now how i got to that point is a life history type thing which i don't mind sharing...but will be much longer if you wishe for me to continue

Yes, I would like you to continue, if you don't mind. And thank you. I respect the fact that you feel you are no longer able to do the job effectively. I wish that there were more like you, to be honest. There are certain moral standards that they are held up to, you are right. It is a lot of stress and a lot of responsibility. Not a job I would want. Kind of like being an elected official, but not.

Heather

i'll get back to the post throughout today and as long as you want me to talk about myself

i like the attention

Yes . . .

Interesting thread, Heather.

Billy, I had no idea that you had been a minister.

You "seemed" rather young. What denomination?

bloody

I'm licensed by First Baptist Church, Brownwood,TX

I've never held a full-time position as a minister but have guest preached several times in Brownwood and Waco. Have been an intern and Sunday School teacher

I'm 31. Had I stayed in seminary, I'd probably be in a PhD program right now and possibly at least a part time minister...possibly a hospital chaplain.

but i didn't...and i didn't go back after i took a breather...and the license is just paper...would be revoked if FBC Bwood knew me now.

rgirl

still planning on replying...thinking off and on how to condense things so it doesn't end up being 40 pages of drivel

Isn't that funny Bloody? I thought BillyO here was in his late 40's. Oops! Just shows to go ya', I guess.

i'm quite precocious when it comes to assholedom

going to bed

although all this introspection rgirl has me doing will make sleep difficult

gettin scared for my soul again...might have to find an aisle to walk!!! 🙂

Sweet dreams, BillyO!

billy,

this might be too personal to post on a c-bid forum however i have to post it

were you TRULY saved.....not just walk the isle and say "the little prayer" saved like i was once.

i ask this because you seem to post about the church putting the morals on the ministers......it is not the church but GOD. and you say the church wouldn't have you but GOD still sees you and knows....which makes me sad for you.

when you are saved by the blood, you are thankful and feel blessed to live each day, not live as an outcast. i will pray for you. Salvation brings a "peace which surpasseth all understanding" which i hope you will choose.

gerilynn

well, i knew the risks before i responded publicly to the thread, so i'm can't get upset for people jumping in

i'm sure by the end of it i will be

1) even more of an ass than i already am

2) witnessed to and added to prayer lists

mrs18...i know the train of thought you are getting at. It's not new nor profound...it is not convicting. It is a standard response to someone who used to be very deep in the church and deep in their faith who has backed off or walked away.

I'm sure if you keep an eye on the thread, you will be able to judge whether I was TRULY saved or not.

And dont give me the "i'm not the judge" speech. I know that one too. It's as easy to say as the "if you were truly saved" bit.

rgirl...off to class to learn xrays...will get back to you tonight. i'll try to focus my attention on your inquiry and not get sidetracked by the other comments.

I'll be here, waiting like a big bug . . .

billy,

the reason i asked was i was raised in a southern baptist church all of my life. i THOUGHT i was saved but was not really sure of the fact. i knew i said the prayer and walked the isle but there was nothing else. for years i tried to convince myself i would be ok but i knew deep down something was wrong. Also i had the same outlook on church as them "judging me" and not living up to "thier" standards.....

once i really took a honest deep look into my life i knew there was nothing there....and i knew i had to be saved.....and i was. NOW i know what i was missing and I can't help but wonder how many people are out there that "said the prayer and walked the isle" but never truly accepted Jesus in thier heart and don't know the difference. i just don't want you to be like i was......it is a awful place to be and not know the way out.

please know that my intentions were honest and i am not like alot that just post to start a war, and i would never try to state what i did to put you on the spot.....really no response was or is expected.

sorry if i made you uncomfortable. that was not my thoughts.

gerilynn

Ruggysgirl,

Thank you for posting this. I find this one of the most compelling threads in some time. I've been on many sides of this thread in my life- but I've never been a preacher.

I've beem trying to put a finger on where I fit in the spiritual universe and seeing Billyjackson somewhat conflicted is somewhat refreshing.

Billyjackson, I will not consider you any more or less an ass than you are today-regardless of what you post on this thread. I'm as interested in your response as Ruggysgirl is.

Can hardly wait.

mrs18...

southern baptist as well.. said the prayer, walked the aisle and changed head to toe

i was completely renewed and was into faith head first

it was real...and one of the ways i can tell it's real is my ire toward traditional christianity comes from within the church...not a "heathen" mocking it from the outside