In October of 1986, another opportunity for ministry arose. Only this time, I wisely declined. A pastor who was starting a new church in town asked me and my friend to co-work with him. He offered to ordain us both, and we would share in the ministry. Given my frustration with the traditional church, his offer proved tempting. I thought it over for a month. However, my spiritual instincts urged me to say no to the offer. So in November, I declined.
I had a strong desire to serve the Lord. And while I didn’t have enough spiritual sense to decline teaching a Sunday school class for young adults, I did have enough sense to know that I wasn’t ready to co-pastor a congregation. Regarding that offer to do public ministry, I wrote in my journal the following words, “I must not rush even if others do. I need more time and experience.”
1988 marked an unforgettable year for me. It was the year that I took the terrifying step of leaving the traditional church. It was not my intention to try and carve out another way of doing church. It was simply a move born out of conviction and desperation. My disaffection with traditional Christianity had come to a certain threshold of discontentment, and I saw no other alternative but to leave.
For more:
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/96732.Frank_Viola
http://www.amazon.com/Frank-Viola/e/B001IGSJX0
https://twitter.com/FrankViola
http://violafrank.wordpress.com/2013/03/07/rethinking-frank-viola