Reference my earlier post below. I met with the powers that be today. They have spoken with the young lady in question and we've returned to status quo ante. Their words were, "we see no reason to change our relationship based on this situation." So I'll begin my contractual work with them again next week. These particular people have demonstrated a great deal of grace during this incident.
You'll find it interesting that the element that really resonated with them seemed to be my Curio & Relics license - probably because it indicated I'd passed the BATFE background checks (and partly because I presented it as important, heh heh) They mentioned that the young lady's attitude changed sharply when they told her about my collector's license.
However, I do have a suspicion that my contract will not be renewed for another year. And mind you my work record at this church has literally been exemplary. It just kinda seems they look at me differently now.
Kinda sucks.
You'll find it interesting that the element that really resonated with them seemed to be my Curio & Relics license - probably because it indicated I'd passed the BATFE background checks (and partly because I presented it as important, heh heh) They mentioned that the young lady's attitude changed sharply when they told her about my collector's license.
However, I do have a suspicion that my contract will not be renewed for another year. And mind you my work record at this church has literally been exemplary. It just kinda seems they look at me differently now.
Kinda sucks.
Suspended from work for mentioning an AK47 on a date
You're gonna find this interesting. I'll try to be as brief as possible. I am a former pastor who is now a psychotherapist. As such, I am on contract with a local megachurch to do assessments for them for members who need counseling. I meet with them to determine what their needs are and then refer them to the appropriate channels.
Two weeks ago I was suspended from work there. A girl I had gone on 2 dates with 2 years ago (haven't seen her since) found out who I was and reported that I 'weirded her out' and she believes I pose a danger to the church. She said our ice cream date had ended abruptly after I mentioned I had an AK47 in the trunk of my car & she could see it if she wanted. She was an army veteran, so we had begun to talk about military stuff.
So in the initial meeting, the leaders mentioned her name (I had a faint recollection of her & I needed more information to place her) and then they finally said with shock and wonderment in their voices, "She even said you told her you had an AK47 in the trunk of your car and that she could see it if she wanted."
I smiled a little and replied "Well, I have 3 AK's," and then I added in typical Matt fashion, "and of course everybody knows you only need 2." Then I shared with them a little about my gun collecting. I later went back in to answer their charges more fully. I showed them my Curio & Relics license and I showed them a slide show on my computer with lots of pictures of me and others (including women) shooting many of my guns. I told them a lot about the different military guns & shared historical information about each.
Now in fairness to the leaders, the gun wasn't the only issue. She said I "weirded her out" too. I don't really know what that's all about. But the thing that turned their eyes into saucers was the AK. It seemed like something you guys would find noteworthy. What's interesting is that I continue to be tempted to feel like I did something wrong. Mind you, I didn't show the gun to this army vet, I just mentioned that I had it. On a date. Away from the church. Two years ago.
One of the reasons I left full-time church work was this sorta thing. Meddling & politics & the like. I'm still a man of pretty deep faith, but churchwork... well, churchwork can be really tough.
I believe this is going to be resolved favorably, but I'm not certain of it. If you want, I'll keep you posted.