brother maynard has posted an interesting piece in here. this reminded me of another passage from the new testament book of Mark. the disciples were out and about town and they came across a man who was driving out demons in the name of Jesus. the disciples told him to stop because 'he was not one of us'. interestingly enough they had just finished arguing over which of them was the greatest.

Mark 9:38"Teacher," said John, "we saw a man driving out demons in your name and we told him to stop, because he was not one of us."

39"Do not stop him," Jesus said. "No one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me, 40for whoever is not against us is for us. 41I tell you the truth, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to Christ will certainly not lose his reward.

brother maynard and the scriptures got me thinking about 3 things.

1. there are those within every tradition who are like joshua or the disciples. they keep a close eye out for those who are not in the inside, yet are doing great things. their desire is to put an end to the great things because they aren't 'sanctioned' by themselves (or the party they belong to). i believe this to be a control issue. "hey! we didn't give you authority to do that! we are in control and you better recognize!" i don't have much time for these people. it is always an argument with them in my opinion, and i don't feel much like arguing these days.

2. it also reminds me that there may very well be people from outside of our traditions who are partnering with God in incredible ways to help restore and renew creation. maybe i should partner with them as well. i need more time to contemplate this one so i won't be sharing many of my thoughts here as they are quite infantile at the moment.

3. ordination. thats me. i put many years, much money, and much time and sacrifice to become ordained within my tradition. with that comes great accountability, a sense of legitimacy (right or wrong) and privilege. i can marry, baptize, administer communion, and a few other things. i appreciate the process of ordination, particularly the length of time it takes to have that confirmed. however, i often feel like distinguishing between those ordained and those who aren't does a disservice to the body and creation. we can tend to believe that the 'real ministry' is done by those who are given a stamp of approval by the institution. as much as i appreciate the process...ultimately God does not need me to be approved by the institution in order for Him to use me in partnership for restoration. nor do i believe that communion, marriage, or baptism is less holy because someone who isn't ordained ministered in that holy moment.

i believe we are all called. and i don't believe that those who are paid to lead in their local body of believers are any more 'called' than those who work at the gas station and give of their time to partner in restoration with God. i'd like to stop looking for those who are 'not one of us'...unless its to reach out an arm of inclusion.

thoughts?