Mike Paschall . com

Yes, it’s dangerous, but I’ve been thinking… you know, as Rooney used to do.  I’ll let you draw most of the conclusions here.  Yeah, I know.  I’m no Rooney.  : )

Is it possible to pour one’s self into Kingdom living, supported by intimate relationships and purposeful discipleship, consistently over time, and not build or create a tribe?

Even though little remains forever (seasons come and go like lightening or molasses), it is possible to journey with a people who have also heard the same whisper;  sojourners, who get you, because they’ve been with you, followed or lead, believed with you, and then you slowly realize they are you and you are them.  Tribe starts with smelling or recognizing the code, the genetics of a spiritual existence that pulls you in.

It is possible to wear the brand of tribe but not posses the code of the tribe.  Time distinguishes and validates core values that align and manifest the core code’s existence.  In other words, you can’t cry out “mercy” and then be merciless at the same time.  You can’t preach “honor” and then not honor.  You can’t promote “team” and operate solely individualistic.  It causes too much confusion.  Secure and vested tribesmen call “bullshit” every time.

Extenuating circumstance can also stimulate the infusion of the code rapidly.  The early church thrived under pressure.  The real church in China thrives under pressure.  It thins, expands and bonds all at the same time.

Dimly, I see that there is an IHOP tribe… a Bethel tribe… a Morningstar tribe… denominational tribes… institutional tribes… cause tribes… thousands-and-thousands of tribes.  Most feel “called” to their tribe.  I like the word “called”.  Sometimes, “who” we are called to (usually strong leaders with strong code), helps determine what costs we are willing to pay, until we find what we are called to.  Considering the fact that intimate relationship and aggressive discipleship go hand in hand, the “who” can’t be overlooked.  We have to know and trust (not easy to come by at arm’s length theory or by sitting in a pew) the one downloading the code.  It’s not suppose to be a forceful indoctrination.  It can be that way, but was not Jesus’ style.  It requires a suck at the breast of love.  The code is in the milk.

The healthiest tribes have the elements of covenant without controlling paranoia.  Covenant has privilege and limitations.  I have privilege with my wife that no one else has but me.  The limitations help me protect my responsibility to honor the privilege.  It doesn’t work if she owes me because of our agreement.  It works because she freely chooses to love me back.  Covenant in marriage is for life and exclusively unique.  Trying to make all these elements fit among spiritual tribesmen might be stretching it too far.  Ultimately, the Body of Christ has to remain free enough to easily choose direction changes without fearing the loss of relationship and or alienation.  Honestly, spiritual tribes suck at this!  Tribes who close themselves and demand the return of unquestioned allegiance become inbred.  That’s not a healthy environment for the code or the tribe.

So, back to the point of the original question:  I think not.

I’ll be back… I’m not done processing.

-MDP-