Kyle, thank you for you post, but I would have to say that in some ways I agree and disagree (of course). I agree this isn't a pagan politics tribe, but when discussing structure vs non structure, rank vs no rank, etc...it will become somewhat political as everyone has an agenda. Also, about controlling the minions....well, one, I don't like the word minions. It denotes and aire of ...well I don't know...I don't like it.

So, this is what I really want to say. Some of us are traditionalists, teaching a system that was passed down to us. So, in that respect, there is rank, there is a power differential. Eventually, that power differential should shift, but in the beginning it is definitely there. That is nature, that is the relationship of student and teacher and we all encompass both roles.

I always tell my students, "I do not know everything, and I will do my best to find out more, but I DO KNOW more than you about THIS path, this tradition. If you want what I have, you need to do what I did (with some moderation due to personality and style of course)." So, I do not claim to be the be all and end all, but I do have more information when a new student comes in, I do have more experience with my tradition than the person who just walks through my door. This does not discount their own personal experience, their own enlightenment, but if they want what I am offering, they need to follow the guidelines. It is imperative to keeping the structure (in this particular case). There are patterns to human nature, there are patterns to experience and I am there to guide them through these. And, as I said, there is a power differential that hopefully balances out .

The Goddess and God do care, on all aspects. They do care what you are doing with your life., otherwise we would not be doing what we are doing. Some feel called to teach, others feel called to battle. If you follow the path of the teacher, you must learn the steps to it, you must take the journey to it. That requires some guidance...

These are my opinions, and my "personal nonsense" or in other words, personal experience, beliefe, morals, etc...make up who I am and what I have to offer. That is why not every teacher is right for every student and vice versa.

Blessings

I see this as a tribe for pagans in the leadership role to come together and talk about the challenges and opportunities of being a leader. Working with other people. Running/anchoring/hosting/teaching groups that are big/small/private/open. Spiritual and practical aspects.

Jennifer

You know, it's funny that you would post this. I was just thinking about this stuff the other day.

I was at an event for Beltane and was talking to one of the elders in our community. Granted, he's been here a REALLY long time, since the 60's, so that does carry at least some weight. But then I realized that every time I talk to him, he's always talking about who he knows, how long he's been here, everyone should listen to him because he has been here so long. There's not a whole lot of learning, from my perspecive, going on there. I don't know, maybe he just feels like he's done his learning and now it's time to tell everyone what that is.

It was just weird coming from someone that I've known for quite awhile and never realized it.