Hard Head and New Lessons

I am hard headed and because of that it takes a while to get through to me sometimes.
Such is the case with what I have to tell you. What I have to say is a God-given message I believe to be true and worthy of your time to read. Not a great article but a painfully true one.

I used to think that we could birth a new movement of organic ministry out of the Institutional Church in America. Well the last few days I have been slapped around a bit. I am reminded of Hagar and Sarah. Hagar gave birth because of what man can do. Sarah gave birth because of what only God can do. Herein lies the difference. Richard Green calls Americanized Christianity -Hagar, the church built on what man can do. He calls this Organic New Testament Church -Sarah, the Church build on what- only God can do.

While you are chewing on that let me add one more important Scriptural fact. Hagar and Sarah cannot live in the same tent. Which tells me that Institutional Church and Organic Church cannot cohabitate or live in the same tent. They could never give birth the other. Yet I'm in an Institution with a vision for Organic.

In order for the Organic to flow from the Institution -it needs to be released from the Institution and from the hoops, rules, red tape, control, and growth hindering accountability for her to take off. Actually in Organic Ministry there is more accountability from one another in the Organic Church holding each accountable to the truth of God's Word. Institutions don't do this well, they create systems and structure for full proof accountability which ends up halting the mission. Organic is unrestricted. Outside forces slow, or stop organic. In good soil the plant will grow unless some outside factor hinders it. (Insects, lack of water, storms, lack of sunshine, people, rules, hoops, structure -you got the picture.

Now that I have the New Lesson my Hard Head will come in handy. How much does the institution (Americanized Christianity) want God to work in a new wine skin? Do we want to struggle for the Institution to keep things status quo and not to effective in some places or do we want the joys of being in an organic growing and discipling Church free flowing in the presence of and with Holy Spirit power?

My hard head is going to come in handy when I confront the establishment of instutional control, hoops, red tape and road blocks for the sake of a Living Organic New Testament Church Holy Spirit birthing ministry.

Will Hagar (Institution) release Sarah (Organic) to live in separate tent? Will Hagar let Organic live in a separate tent in the same campground? Or will Institutional Church (Hagar) insist on Organic (Sarah)to live altogether in one big tent. If (Hagar) insists on living together, (Sarah) Organic will lose everytime because the Spirit of God and His nature will be quenched. Sarah and Hagar cannot live in the same tent--If Hagar insists on having humankinds way- the Holy Spirit will never force his desires on us. Organic will lose if not released from the Instutitution to do ministry differently or in a radical way leave the system -which could be healthy God directed rebellion. (Scriptures show plenty of examples if you need any.)

If denominational systems do not recognize this truth -Christianity will be even more stifled in America. Actually on the other hand Christianity might just grow Organically without them --which leaves denominations of control the odd guy out.

It's Time For this Wake Up Call for me, you and whoever wants to listen - that is if you don't think I've lost my mind..