This post continues observations by my friend Stephen Currie on Christian movements.
Leaders do play a vital role in catalyzing
movements, but movements cannot be dependent on key personalities. A movement is not about attracting people
into crowds, but inviting people to participate in the redemptive work of
Jesus. So God raises up many leaders
within a movement and established leaders are intentional about mentoring
emerging leaders. Movements are not
dependent on the energies of one person or an inner circle of people. Naturally, some movement leaders will develop
a greater sphere of influence than others.
But leaders cannot control or direct the
growth of the movement. This was true of
the Apostle Paul. He had a long list of individuals he was developing to be next-generation leaders--Titus, Timothy, Epaphras, Onesimus, Priscilla, Erastus, Trophimus, Lydia, Luke, and even John Mark.
Movements are
dynamic enough to permit multiple leaders to have a place of influence without
the credibility of the leader being challenged or threatened by other leaders. So there was room for Paul, Barnabas, Silas,
Apollos, Aquilla and Priscilla, Peter, James, and many others.
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