Submission or a Self Starter?

We seek security in church and ministry because that's we are comfortable with it.

It's risky to stand out and stand on your own two feet.

We join a church because it's less risky than starting one. We don't want to be seen as a loner so it's easier to be a member. 

We give power to those that sense our vulnerability. Some leaders use it to build their groups and condemn you if you don't join or fit in. The system has taught us to always submit and serve and respect leadership, but friend remember this you don't have to disrespect a leader to go it alone either.

For centuries we have built a system where submission to others rules. On one had we've been encouraged to get out there and serve the Lord while on the other hand we feel guilty for not submitting to another Pastor and joining a local fellowship and serving him there. After all the local church needs you.

It's easier to fit in than stand apart.

I talked to a pastor some time ago, I was in transition. His concern was me, I needed to be a part of something, true, but at this junction it wasn't a church I needed but to individually pursue something God was placing into my hand. I was seeking some advice and did not expect him to use it as an opportunity to tell me I needed to join a local church and serve there. 

The shortsightedness of some preachers is remarkable or should I say disgusting.

Seth Godin recently wrote in his blog "For thousands of years, we've built our culture to teach people to not only tolerate a powerful overlord, but in a vacuum, to seek one out. We build school around the idea of powerful teachers, coaches and authority figures telling us what to do. We go to the placement office to seek a job, instead of starting our own thing, because we've been taught that this is the way it works, it's reliable, it's safer." www.sethgodin.com

The same thing with church and ministry. We begin with coming under a ministry rather than starting our own. We seek to be a part of an organisation rather than starting one for which we have ample vision for. And so we're pushed to begin with submission rather than mission.

 It's risky to start your own radio ministry your own church group and hire out a hall. It's risky to start your own evangelists revival group. So instead we seek out someone who can tell us join us, here's what you can do.

We all need to be a part of something, what we need is not so much a covering but an open door. Maybe for you the door is already open before you,  and all you need is a prod from someone like me who says Its Ok to go it alone. Better to be alone with God than with a crowd that are not with God! More than anything, we do need the guts to obey God and start something. 

Paul