My wife and I had been approached by our new pastor seeing that he is sensing that we are on the same wavelength that he seems to be. He asked us about our service in our previous church in Greensboro (he knows our previous pastor) and he does want to talk to him. He asked us about our understanding of our freedom in Christ and about salvation. When he preaches, he likes to get responses and comments from the people there. We got involved with our comments the first day there, so I guess we surprised him.

However, since he seems to be asking us if we want to be a part of the speaking and or music team (I already got nabbed by the worship leader) on a two church circuit to help him out, we agreed, but first, we thought we had better tell him who and what we are. After all, why get involved if we are going to be booted out later if we were found out?

So I got up and shut the door so others won't over hear and be offended, and I told him that we were nudists. I told him of our CNC project, how we are helping the naturist community and other facts about our lifestyle.

He seemed to be very agreeable with us and is looking forward to working with us! He sees no problem at all with it and excited that we are taking our "freedom in Christ" to the world where other Christians have trouble taking it.

I also told him that we view the mission that Jesus gave us to take the gospel to Jerusalem, Samaria and to the ends of the earth. And that we view what others think is the far ends of the earth (naturist resorts), as our "Jerusalem". He liked that. (Kudos to Kevin...wherever he is)

He is going to contact our previous pastor and talk to him as well, and we encouraged him to do so. Of course, he knew about our naturism as well.

Lets see where this is going and where God is leading us.


Boyd "Live Nude and Prosper" Allen

"May the Lord protect our nudity from the sight of those who will not benefit, and may he allow us to be seen by those who will."

Wow, you are one blessed dude. Finding two ministers that are not offended or shocked by your nudist lifestyle and finds it encouraging that you spread the Word though your new avenues. Keep on moving forward.

Wow! That is great news! It is interesting and encouraging, too. Thanks for sharing it with us. I admit, I don't think I'd have the guts to be so open and honest with our pastors -- but I would not lie if confronted.

Greg C
http://www.geocities.com/greg_pc/

I agree with Greg... It would be a tough gulf to cross at this point.

Boyd,

If I may be so bold, it looks like a clear sign from God that you and your family are where you are supposed to be at this point in your lives. It is also true that you had to step out in faith to make that discovery.

God does not bless foolish haste, but he does bless holy boldness.
I am so happy for you!

I will keep you in my ongoing prayers that God will use you in remarkable way to reach people on both sides of the clothes line.

I appreciate your prayers. It's not just boldness, but the fact that truth is truth, and if God does not want us to be where we are at, then best to do what God wants us to do and see if that is where we are supposed to do it.

So it's best to be honest as soon as you can and let God put you where he wants you to be instead of faking it and pretending you are of something you are not. One way to find out, speak.

Your pastor may of these different things.

1. Kick you out and publicly announce that you have just headed out the door in favor of living in sin and hell to everyone in ear shot and then condemn every naturist venue around.

2. Ask you to leave quietly, disagreeing with you, but being nice about it.

3. Pastor not sure. Allowing you to stay, but keep quiet about your ideas. The pastor will get back with you later. May or may not serve in limited capacity.

4. Agree that its possible, but again, keep quiet and avoid temptation. You will continue in limited service to the church. Certainly not children's classes. No speaking or teaching positions.

5. Agree with you that going and being nude is perfectly fine and you can keep doing what you are doing, but the pastor will allow you to serve as long as you do not teach or talk about it at church. (My position in Greensboro)

6. Agree with you and is ready to allow you to serve in full capacity and even give sermons that "lean" in that direction, (but not recruit openly).

7. Join you.

So. With that in mind, don't allow scenario number one be your reason that you hold back the truth. Be ready for scenario number one, but pray for number seven and you can handle anything in between. You have two out of seven (1 and 7) that could happen, but not likely. You still have four out of seven, which is not bad.

Five out of seven says you stay in church. Four out of seven says you can serve in at least a limited if not full capacity. So most of it is not that bad.

And if number one or two happens (better number two than one), then go where God does want you. It may take time, and yes, it will hurt. But don't put your faith in your church or congregation or your pastor (or your beliefs) but in Christ alone.

Gwin and I discussed this just before we went to church that we need to tell our pastor. We prayed about it. We were ready for at least number 2, but certainly not expecting number seven or even six. We think we got a close six (at least another five) but we'll wait and see what happens. We were prepared to find another church.

God put us here for a reason and we will see his hand at work. The idea is to watch HIM work then emulate what He does.

BTW, would that numbering system be a good way to tell each other what kind of response we got in church and explaining it to our Christian friends?




Boyd "Live Nude and Prosper" Allen

"May the Lord protect our nudity from the sight of those who will not benefit, and may he allow us to be seen by those who will."

Well, that is certainly surprising. A pastor who is open to members of his church being naturists and not condemning it or them. I wish I could say I've had the same experience, but I've had just the opposite reaction. I've learned to be quiet about the way (and where) I live. They do have my address at the church, and if anyone decides to pay me a visit sometime without calling first they will get a big surprise.

Well, that goes to show how often we visit each other! Go for years and not know, even the pastor!

I get the feeling that those we work with and go to school with know us better than our fellow Christians we go to church with. A far cry from the association the early churches had. Small towns still carry this ability to know each other well in churches and daily life, but even then, small towns can still carry two or three churches. But big cities we get lost in as soon as we walk out the doors of the church!

I suppose then, according to my Seven Possible Scenario list, you are at number two or three?

Boyd