I've spent the majority of my life in the institutional church, giving of myself and being blessed by folks giving of themselves into my life.  That time in my life was very valuable.  It was necessary.  Had I not spent so much of my life in that environment, I would not be suited for the plan God has for my life, for my family and for my church.

My wife and I are planting <a href="http://churchofthemisfitsatl.wordpress.com">Church of the Misfits</a> in the West Atlanta Metro area.  We have both spent so much of our lives to the institutional (brick, mortar and steeple) church.  That time is valuable as I said previously and I wouldn't trade it for the world.  I thank God for the churches in my hometown that allowed me to serve for so many years.

However, I am at a point now where the practices of the institutional church don't necessarily work for me anymore.  The idea that only one person (the pastor) of a congregation has the ability and responsibility to interpret Scripture doesn't work for me anymore.  I am no longer interested in going to listen to a 30  -45 minute lecture on one man's interpretation of what a particular Scripture has to say.

I am through being "given" and "giving" concrete interpretations on Scripture.  Instead, I want to start building interpretations on Scripture.  To build a beautiful building, you need a lot of things.  You need a foundation layer.  You need a framer.  You need an architect.  You need an interior decorator.  You need a landscaper.  All of these things and more are important, so why when we are "building our faith" or "working out our own salvation with fear and trembling", do we let only one person dictate what that faith should look like?  Shouldn't a group of folks have an input on what that faith should look like?

We've all heard the phrase, "Give a man fish and he eats for a day.  Teach a man to fish and he eats for the rest of his life."  Another telling of that phrase goes, "Give a man a fish and he eats for a day.  Teach a man to fish and you've lost a customer."  I think a lot of churches treat parishioners like customers.  We give them a good hearty "meal" once a week, just so they can come back hungry the following week.  Yet, how many folks are we teaching to fish?  How many folks are we equipping so that they might internalize their faith?  I much rather my parishioners have a faith that is unique to them than have 750 folks attending every week with a cookie cutter faith.

God created us all differently and  we all interact with God differently.  We should allow room for questions.  We should allow room and create space so that folks know that it's okay for them to interpret Scripture for themselves.  They don't need to rely on a pastor.  We all need help molding our faith, even your pastors.

Your faith should be unique to you.