Often it is argued that one needs to be in groups of like minded people, separate
from other groups, for empowerment and effective ministry. This is why we have so many birds of a feather ministries. These
ministries though located in close proximity are in reality miles apart from each other.
Specialized ministry is often segregated ministry.
These churches erect barriers between ministries, clergy and laity, Keeping
the majority of the people in the actual ministries from ministering to each other or being ministered to and from
the other clique ministries.
What I have seen from those persuaded of this Fortress Mentality, is that often
they don't know or care or have the energy to know what the other ministries are doing.
This makes it appear that Jesus' gospel can only be effectively communicated
by the specialists.
Does this kind of ministry really help the situation or hurt it?
Not only do birds of a feather flock together, they sin more easily together.
Hurting people do not need to be only around those like them but
those unlike them.
This opens up ministry for them not just the elite.
Peer pressure can be something that gets people into trouble.
Peer pressure in a group can often circumvent the personal responsibility
that one needs for his or her own life. This is what freedom to be a Christ One is about.
Segregated ministries are in essence saying to others, 'I
don't need thee' and is Group Think, and the Cliquishness present in such situations is high.
I have noticed that in a local ministry that divides the sheep from
the sheep and sheep from the goats that they or their patients don't attend the sponsoring church, and the few that
do attend only fellowship with their own kind during service.
It is virtually impossible to break through these walls at church.
Is it any wonder that when ministries segregate folks into different
people groups during the week that these same people continue these divisive practices on Sunday.
The apostle Paul tells us we have the message and ministry of reconciliation
not alienation, specialization and segregation. (2 Corinthians 5)
We are to be reconciled to God and each other. (Ephesians 4)
BJ Maxwell
Revised 2/23/2006
