Building Pagan community is like planting a tree.

When you plant a tree, you don't tell the tree how fast it should grow, where it should put its branches, or how rough it should make its bark. In fact, if you tried to tell a tree such things you would look rather foolish.

Instead, when you plant a tree, you give it good soil, give it sunshine, give it water, and keep away the animals that would eat it. If you do this, the tree will thrive and take whatever shape it was meant to have.

The role of a Pagan community organization, then, is not to impose its own version of community (to tell the tree what to do). Instead, it is there to create a safe place for people to plant their own roots & raise their own branches.

Building Pagan community is like teaching a child to swim.

When you teach a child to swim, you don't do it with books, or lectures, or color-coded flip-charts. In fact, if you tried to teach a child to swim this way the child would fall asleep.

Instead, when you teach a child to swim, you put that child in the water. You show how much fun it can be. You show them how to float, how to blow bubbles, and how to push against the water.

The role of Pagan community organization, then, is not to conquer our fear of the deep with words. Instead it is there to demonstrate the possibilities of our existing fins and flippers.

Building Pagan community is like building a house.

When you build a house, you don't start with the roof, or the windows, or even the walls. In fact, if you tried to build a house this way your structure would almost certainly collapse.

Instead, when you build a house, you start at the bottom. You draw up a plan. You survey the land. You dig your foundation. You set your molds and pour your concrete.

The role of a Pagan community organization, then, is not to jump ahead. Instead, it is there to lay a good foundation and build the base upon which we can each build our own towers.

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