It's a recurring theme: to what exent should we structure or organise what we see God doing? There's a thin line between moving with the Holy Spirit and expecting the Holy Spirit to move with us, between release and control, between an organism and an organisation, between recognizing functions and anointings in the Body and introducing positions and official membership.
Today we discussed this with representatives of different streams/platforms in the prayer movement. Of course we should function based on corporate God-given vision, values and an open/fluid structure. The key is trust and relationships, and the willingness to keep moving with God. But tradition, church paradigms (ecclesiology), insecurity and specific interests can be easily in the way. After the Summer we will go on a one-day retreat to dig a bit deeper into the specific issues at hand.
Marc,
This is very true - within Agape it is a recurring theme as well. Sometimes I get the impression that the 'movement' issue is used as an excuse not to organise. Having a business background, I usually reply that I know lots of businesses that are heavily structured and at the same time much more agile and flexible than most christian ministries... which is a teaser, of course, but with a core of truth. And I know for sure that we can never start movements or 'surf the Waves' if we don't have a clear sight on (i.e.) roles and responsibilities.
Posted by: Mark de Boer | June 10, 2004 at 23:08