New Era Pioneers
As we launched into 2020, very well-respected global prophets and leaders proclaimed the onset of a “new era” in the church. Likened to the Protestant Reformation, it was expected to be an extended time of radical change. Now, as then, Holy Spirit would be moving mightily to restore apostolic vision and power to the Body of Christ. New forms of prayer, worship, church governance and evangelization would emerge to challenge fossilized paradigms of ministry.
As promising as this all sounds, authentic change does not happen because we talk about it. Two years in, I am observing in church culture, similarly to that found in secular culture, a tendency to assume an identity that conflicts with reality. If we use the right buzzwords, incorporate popular slogans and soundbites, the impact of our ministries is validated. However, in reality, we settle into this visible disconnect between promoting change and actually experiencing it.
Who can break through this disconnect? Pioneers.
More than ever, we need courageous leaders, who, like Abraham, in pursuit of the city whose builder and maker was God, willingly forsook any further allegiance to that built by man. He broke away, and he broke out! History proves that eras of progress are spearheaded by leadership; a visionary and pioneering breed of it.
In her book, Jesus CEO: Using Ancient Wisdom for Visionary Leadership, Laurie Beth Jones expounds upon the inherent traits of visionary leaders. She powerfully defines a true leader as one who possesses the ability to “break rank”. Whether it relates to a business enterprise, government, or church entity, visionary leaders are those who step up to lead others out of cultures cemented in conventional ways of doing things. She points to David and Joseph as two biblical leaders who typified this brand of leadership. Then, of course, there is Jesus, who was the consummate rank-breaker, withstanding the religious hierarchy of his day to bring people into freedom.
David, for example, was willing to leave his petrified brothers in the camp to confront Goliath, as continued domination by that Philistine was unthinkable considering Yahweh’s power. In Joseph’s case, he had to overcome an attempted murder by his brothers, who could not accept the leadership favor on his life and certainly were not interested in hearing any more of his dreams. Both men endured great resistance to fulfill their roles in spearheading God’s movement through history.
Jones also calls our attention to the unusual courage a leader must have to break free from cultural confines. She writes, “sometimes breaking free may require drastic measures and cause conflict…a leader who is not willing to break ranks is not a leader at all, but merely a puppet set up to maintain the status quo”. Her viewpoint may sound harsh, but it speaks to the dilemma many visionary leaders encounter. The road ahead may be filled with landmines, but the alternative of protecting the present could prove far more dangerous and stagnating.
If we want to experience the full glory of this new era, we must assume a pioneering spirit, blazing the trail though the thicket, even if it places our own reputations in peril. Being frustrated and fruitless in the land of the familiar is no place for kingdom leaders!
Do not settle! Be fearless to follow the Spirit and become the change you are talking about! The church needs YOU to lead the way!