Milestones

My road in life took a while to figure out.
First, I thought I wanted to be a music teacher, because my HS music teacher taught me so much.
Then I studied music in Vienna, Austria, in college junior year and decided to become a conductor.
In my early 30s, I realized conducting wasn't my "calling," but that ordained ministry was.
Got involved in a number of spiritual development programs to listen more closely to God's voice.
Decided God was calling me to share insights that come from being gay and Christian.
Sought through theological study to ground my experience in a deeper understanding of Scripture.
Keep following my journey

Career

United Methodist Minister

I help people perceive the gift God has given the world through them.

Career Roadmap

Roadmap
My work combines:
My work combines:
Philosophy & Religion
Education
Teaching / Mentoring

Day to Day

A student would want to shadow me for a week, because I spend a great deal of time shaping the worship service I'll lead on Sunday mornings, with words the worshipers and I will read and hear and share, songs we will sing together that orient them to the divine, and to how we fit and are called to be in the world. I will deliver a message that I hope gives them greater insight into who they are and who they might become in the world that will bring them joy and honor their Creator.

Advice for Getting Started

Here's the first step for college students

Many people who enter the ministry study religion, because they believe having a firm foundation in that area will provide them with greater knowledge and understanding to lead people to know God's will for them. Though I wouldn't necessarily encourage people who want to become ministers to study music as I did, I would encourage them to study at a liberal arts college, which often encourages them to take courses in a wide variety of subjects, and to follow their curiosity to choose a major.

Recommended Education

My career is related to what I studied. I'd recommend the path I took:

Hurdles

The Noise I Shed

From Myself:

"I had no "opposition" from others, but I kept coming to feel as though I was on the wrong path - in college, that sent me to study abroad and then to change my career goal from teaching to professional musicmaking; and then from conducting to ministry."

Challenges I Overcame

Financial
LGBT