Can someone be nudist and hired as a church pastor?

[Jerry C.]

I've been a Seventh-day Adventist church member for 25 years (and a Baptist one for about one year before that). I got into nudism via my interest in bodybuilding. I started out looking at non-sexual nude images of men who are bodybuilders because I thought they look better than the clothed models (more artistically pleasing). I'm very much straight, understand.

Anyway,while looking for these pics, I came across links to nudism and nudist websites. I really didn't pay any attention until I hit "Christian nudist" sites. I was very curious and as I started to look at non-sexual pics of men, women, and children at these sites I became more interested.

I continued to study and became a nudist in philosophy early this year (2002). I haven?t gone to any resorts, beaches or anything yet (not a nudism in practice-yet. I hope to change this shortly). I tried to for my vacation to Atlanta, GA but it didn't work out. Therefore, I decided to go to a nudist resort next summer of 2003.

However, everything came to a head when it was announced that a man in my church was selected as a deacon was going to be ordained. I thought that was strange because I was serving as deacon for about a year and I was not ordained. So when I asked my pastor (whom I'll call Pastor John) about it, he said they do it right away. The reason it wasn't done was because there were many things going on when I became deacon and my ordination was not being done.

I thought and prayed as to whether to tell Pastor John about my interest in nudism and finally decided to tell him. So I made an appointment for him to come to my house and tell him personally face-to-face. His wife (whom I'll call Jane) came along also. When I told him, he disagreed but fortunately, he didn't overreact. In fact, he and Jane listened calmly. They were but didn't condemn me, only disagreed strongly. What helped me was that he, Jane and I were good friends since I've started attending his church.

Pastor John told me very plainly that if I pursued nudism the following would happen:
1. I wouldn't be ordained as deacon.
2. I would be disqualified to teach as Sabbath School (equal to Sunday School) teacher.
3. I would hold the office of church photographer unofficially instead of officially.
4. He didn't say, but I would probably hold the office of bulletin coordinator in unofficial instead of official status.

The other thing that stresses me out is that God has called me to be a preacher for the deaf in the USA. I know I can go to school and get a BA or BS in theology (with deaf ministry emphasis), then go to my church seminary.

However, the burning question is: Will I be hired by any church because of my nudist viewpoint?

Now you know a little about my background to explain my situation. Can you help me? Any suggestions? Thanks.

Jerry, I've been a Christian for 39 years since age 17, and I only just last year got into social nudity. From what I've read in God's Word, it says nothing against social nudity. I'm a Baptist by the way, and I've been to Bible college and have a degree in Christian education.

I've held every position in a church except that of pastor. Of course, none of my brothers and sisters in the Lord know that I'm a practicing nudist. I go to the Turtle Lake Resort in Union City, MI.

Unfortunately, as long as it's known that you hold to the belief that social nudism isn't sinful, you more than likely won't be allowed to hold offices in your church, and they won't allow you to be ordained.

Of course, as long as you haven't actually gone to a nudist club, resort or beach, and you simply believe that God's greatest creation, the human body, isn't sinful or something to be ashamed of, I don't understand why that belief should matter. Unfortunately, it will to the uninformed. When I divorced my adulterous wife, I was condemned by the deacons who wanted me removed as the music director. The pastor was the only one who knew why I was divorced, and he stood up for me. I remained as the music director. I never felt I had to justify myself to anyone. God knew the truth and so did my pastor.

To the majority of Christians, and even to the majority of people in general, social nudity is something decent people don't do. I've and embarrassed a lot of people when I've told them of being a nudist or even hinted at it. I've never gotten up the courage to tell anyone in my church, although I ALMOST told the pastor once.

I got an answer I needed from God once through prayer and fasting. I didn't eat for three days until He answered me. You could always try that.

[luvnaturism]

There are several ironies here. One of them is that your problem only arose because you acted with high integrity to discuss your interest with your pastor. Another is that the more literally one interprets the Bible the easier it is to find support for naturism.

Sadly the pastor reacted as many Christians do: condemning an idea that was new to him, and concerning which he has probably not actually studied the Scriptures.

On the other hand your goal is ordained ministry, which probably means that you would like to be supported financially by those you serve. One of the generally expected functions of a minister who lives by the gifts of others is that the minister embodies their values. Controversial behavior thus becomes dangerous to a career, even when it is others who are wrong.

It seems to me that you have several options here. One of them would be to make a fresh start in another church, having learned that one must be extremely cautious about selecting people who can be trusted to hear about your beliefs related to naturism. Another option would be to assure your pastor that, although you are convinced that naturism is acceptable for Christians, because of your respect for the church you will not practice or teach it.

Between those two extremes you can find other possibilities. One would be to assure your pastor that you want your life to be Biblically based. Ask for his help in understanding how the Bible teaches that non-sexual nudity is wrong. You can bring to this study passages that support it.

The thing is with this plan you must not be argumentative, but stay in the role of a seeker of Biblical truth...which is truly quite appropriate for one at your beginning stage of ministry.

As you have already discovered there are a lot of resources on the Web. Here is a forum where a lot of help is available:

http://www.network54.com/Hide/Forum/83405.

There is an associated web site with many good articles and links.

Finally, the truth is that leaders have fewer options than followers. Every minister ? every good leader ? gives up things that would be perfectly legitimate for the sake of those he or she is leading. The tricky part is that you have to be careful not to give up too much of yourself in the process.

[californiabare]

I'm new here and have seen the message about pastors and nudism. Like some of you, I am a Christian, have been for years--and a Baptist all that time. For years, I was taught nudism was a sin---equalled with lust and sexuality. I have since then realized that 1) God made my body; 2) there's no shame in nakedness; 3) I can present my body as a living sacrifice to Him on a daily basis.

As to the question of pastors being nudists, I can only say I know of at least two of them in California, and have heard of others across the country. I even heard (through Christian-nudist Yahoo group) that even fellowship and worship can take place while being au naturel.

So if a pastor is comfortable with nudity and recognizes our natural state as Godly, then I think he can be a spiritual leader of his congregation.

By the way, I'm in the north central valley of California, and would welcome the opportunity for some Christian fellowship au naturel. Anyone reading this who lives in this area is free to contact me at my e-mail address.

God bless you.
Tom

[luvnaturism]

Californiabare makes some good points.

It's true that there are many pastors who are naturists. However, their numbers are only a small percentage of the whole, and nearly all of them find it wise to practice their naturism with great discretion. It really is a hot topic in religious circles.

The original post in this thread is from one who is not yet a minister, but who wants to become one. That is a vulnerable position. He is absolutely dependent upon being able to get recommendations from established clergy. Probably he will be seeking references from ministers who have neither personal experience nor serious research to draw upon, and so their reactions will be based upon their own sexualized imaginations.

[Jerry C.]

Sorry, this was deleted. I apparently clicked ont he "post reply" button because my next post below is the exact same thing, only not finished.

I'm new at this forum stuff, so bare with me.

[Jerry C.]

Thank you all for your replies. I was thinking since I put up my original post last night that I really need to explain a little more background so ya'll will understand my response.

What happened with me is that I accepted Christ as my Savior at 15 years old. For a while there I was doing what must baby Christians do: reading the Bible to understand basic doctrines, praying, and witnessing as best I could. It was not until about my early 20s did I feel a calling to the ministry, but I resisted with all my might. Looking back, I realized I didn't understand God's character and His love for me. So I tried to "do my own thing" for years and for the same number of years I've been spiritually frustrated. This resulted in a Laodicean state (neither hot for God nor cold to Him either).

Everything came to a head when I went up to Ontario, Canada from my home state of Michigan to work for a friend of mine, Kathy, who was a Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) also. This was in August, 1994 This job was to be a retirement home manager in a live-in setting. I thought that this job would be the best one I ever had: it wasn't. In fact, it was the very WORST job I EVER had. How bad? We're talking considering suicide three times in the two years I worked for Kathy. Why was it so bad? Because she was verbally abusive to the point that we had a co-dependant relationship.

I was finally able to break free of her mental bondage via her brother Wally. You see, Wally used to be Kathy's partner in the original retirement home and he left Kathy's biz out of disgust for her way of running things. So he helped me to rebel in one form or another and I finally left her and her business after two and half years in September of 1997. I then went to work for Wally and his brother Paul (also Kathy's brother) to work at their retirement lodge they started together. After working for them two years, their business closed and I left to return to the US. I found out while working for Wally and Paul that Kathy's biz closed up one year after I left. I knew that was going to happen and it did. Interestingly, I worked two years for her and she hired two other people (one then another) who only lasted about six months each in that last year of her business. Why did I have to go thru all this? Because of my stubborn resistance to doing God?s will.

Anyway, after I arrived in Arkansas in Feb, 1999, it felt so wonderful to enjoy the complete freedom of being in my own country and being able to move about freely. That summer of 1999, I finally accepted God's call to be a minister of the deaf. I never felt such incredible peace. I was doing fine until the whole deacon thing happen that I mentioned in my first post.

So, I've decided that even though I like the nudist philosophy of body acceptance and the other wonderful things that go with that, I've decided NOT to pursue nudism as a lifestyle. Why? for the simple reason that instead of "fighting God", I'm fighting societal expectations and I'm afraid I'll be for the rest of life like I did the first half. I'm almost 42, and I'm tired of fighting God (which I think I'll be doing indirectly via the textile majority view of nudism which is seen as "sin", "evil", or "shameful"-when it is NONE of these things).

One finally reason I'm not pursuing nudism is that I sense that most nudist are non-believers and the Bible plainly states not to associate with them (2 Cor. 6:14).

If you are reading this and disagree, please reply because I'm still open for discussion. As a female friend of mine told me: "For a man, you're a good listener." From a woman, that was a wonderful complement.

[luvnaturism]

quote:

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Originally posted by Jerry C.:
[qb]
One finally reason I'm not pursuing nudism is that I sense that most nudist are non-believers and the Bible plainly states not to associate with them (2 Cor. 6:14).
[/qb]

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With great respect I encourage you to reconsider the above opinion with the following two thoughts in mind:

1. I have never been in a naturist venue without finding other Christians. If you actually went to some you might find that there seem to be Christians at these places at not less than the ratio that they are found in general society. You have a serious misconception here.

2. If the verse you quoted is the only verse you are able to find re: the desired relationship between Christians and society, then you will have a severely limited ministry.

This is not to suggest that you should change your mind. It sounds as though you have made the decision that is right for you. However, this particular statement reveals that you have much yet to learn about both naturism and the Bible.

[gamblefish]

Hi Jerry,



Let me add a thought to all this. I commend you for "forsaking all" to follow the call of God on your life. After all, that is what we Christians are supposed to do.



Having said that, let me say this: That does not mean we have to sacrifice every "earthly" thing that brings us joy. But each individual must "work out his own salvation", and what God allows one He may not allow another.



This is what I believe: Follow your calling. Let your desires be known to God. If He is willing for you to be involved in a nudist lifestyle then He will work it out in His own time and way. I'm sure you know that God has a way of bringing things about that we could never begin to accomplish on our own.



Remember Abraham and Isaac. Abraham showed his complete trust in God in his willingness to sacrifice his beloved son. And of course Abraham did not have to give up his son at all...


Jesus, too, gave up his physical life because he trusted that God would raise Him up to an eternal spiritual life.
Whatever you decide...keep Christ in the center of your life and you can't go wrong.

An example of sacrificing things that are not sinful in order to be able to follow God's calling is in 1 Cor. 8:13. After Paul has stated that eating meat or not eating it makes no difference with God, but in verse 13 of chapter 8 he says, "Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend."

Paul was willing to give up something that wasn't sinful if it offended his brothers in Christ. I'm not sure I would do that when it isn't something sinful. Of course, I haven't told any of my brothers or sisters in Christ about being a nudist.

Jerry, you've decided what is best for you since you want to be ordained. God will bless you for your willingness to sacrifice something in order to be better able to do His will even though I'm sure He sees no sin in social nudity as long as the thoughts are pure. [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif[/img]