Over my time as a minister, people whispered these questions to me, often ashamed to put them into words. I’m articulating them in hopes of engaging their thinking.
Drowning in the Baptismal Waters
It has taken me a long time to see that our religion could be a tool to prey on the vulnerable. The baptismal waters come closer to drowning them rather than cleansing them.
They Can’t Forget Me If They Never Knew Me
I'm not going to be attending my 35th college reunion.
Making Change at the Deli
Even after all this time, I still have to remind myself that I never had mystical powers of healing, although people tried a little harder to pull themselves together and straighten up when they knew I was a minister.
What I Said Then; What I Say Now
I told the young teens, “Your parents baptized you when you were little and raised you to hear the teachings of the church. But confirmation is your chance to take ownership of your thoughts and beliefs. Nobody can make you. Not your parents. Not me. Even God won’t. "
Friendly Opposition
We’ve made each other pretty mad at times but we remained friends.
The Clothes I Wear
They make the uniform look good. I went from being embarrassed to hoping I'll be worthy of it.
The Church that Wants to Kill People
Don’t just assure the world that you’re not like them. Show that you’re different. Stand up for the LGBT and tell your brothers and sisters at Revival Baptist Church that they should be ashamed of teaching their children to hate and kill people.
Step Into the Storm
Every time I sit down to write, my anxieties flood through my mind and make it hard to concentrate. I've been meditating a bit before I start, and I decided to write down my thoughts: Step Into the Storm It roars Square your shouldersLet it blow Breathe Move forward Step into it The debris collides with you … Continue reading Step Into the Storm
Evolution and Those Left Behind
I still love the people of the church. I cared for them my entire life.... I didn’t want to leave them behind but I couldn't be like them anymore.
