The Church's Problem

A thought which has somehow gotten turned lose in my mind is one that sends me to wondering if one of the problems of the church might be that too many of its leaders fit the mold.  Maybe a part of the church's struggle has to do with the way it raises up and fosters new leaders who perceive their role as one that serves the church by supporting its agenda instead of raising up and nurturing leaders who will challenge its agenda.  In my mind it sounds like a revolutionary idea and, if it is, then maybe what the church does need is more revolutionary and radical leaders.   

The Word of the Lord is certainly filled with the revolutionary leader who does not embrace the status quo.  How different Biblical history would be if Abraham had said to the Lord that he needed a game plan and a destination before leaving the house of his father to go to the wherever God was holding out to him.  Certainly, Elijah was a different breed of leader as was Elisha who walked after him.  John the Baptist was never thought of as a run of the mill spiritual leader.  And certainly it must be said of Jesus that He spoke and lived a radical way of life with all His Kingdom stuff.    

This late evening thinking makes me wonder how the church would fare with such leaders.  Of course, I know exactly how it would fare as does anyone else who stops to think abou it. The church of today has no room for such people.  Those who do not fit the mold find roadblocks and hindrances thrown in front of them by the institutional church leaders and if they do not pay attention, they are likely to be thrown out, or hung on a cross.