A searchable, downloadable PDF of the original article appears below. Brian Stiller is the Executive Director of the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada, and Speaker at the 1988 Annual Meeting of the Renewal Fellowship. This article first appeared in the Sundial, a quarterly newsletter published by the E.F.C. It was in the third quarter issue in 1986 and is printed here by permission.
In 1948, 250 younger leaders met in a Bible school in Beatenburg, Switzerland. It was only three years after World War II. The world had been drastically changed. Most of these evangelical leaders were under the age of 30. They had one thing on their minds: What was God calling them to do now?
History records the incredible impact of those who attended Beatenburg. Billy Graham formed his evangelistic association. Bob Pierce opened World Vision. Ted Engstrom and others developed Youth For Christ. Bob Evans stayed in Europe to develop Bible Schools under Greater Europe Mission. Paul E. Freed built a radio station called Trans World Radio. And the list goes on.
That was almost 40 years ago. A generation has come and almost gone. Now we look around and wonder, “Who will be the next to carry the torch?”
My generation inherited the vision and the styles of those who grew up in the 40s and launched their ministries in the 50s. But it seems the spirit and energy to lead has bypassed much of my generation.
Sunset of leadership
Who are the influencers in our major institutions, schools, denominations and churches? A large percentage are in their 50s and a surprising number in their 60s. We are grateful for the energy and skill of these people, but our concern must be for the future.
As the 1990s loom on the horizon and as many of our present leaders are in the sunset of their leadership, who will carry the torch for the cause of Christ in the coming generation?
Missiologist Dr. Ralph Winter has said that as the powerful leaders who emerged in the 50s and 60s were building their ministries, they looked to the generation growing up in the 60s, filled with idealism about changing our world, and said, “You want to change the world? Fine; follow us and we’ll show how to do it.” We did. But now I ask who will take over in the next few years? Has my generation been so overawed by the raw courage, skill and charisma of the leaders of the preceding generation that we’ve opted for following rather than leading?
The world was their parish
Those who emerged out of the postwar period seemed to be visionaries. They saw the world as their parish. For them, it seemed, nothing was impossible.
Many of today’s leaders, especially those in their 40s, have grown up within these ministries or denominations. We have become, in effect, middle managers, fulfilling the dreams and visions of those who created the enterprise. We have done it by attending committee meetings and serving on task forces and running conferences. All of which are essential.
But a new day is dawning. Herman Kahn, founder of the Hudson Institute, commenting on today’s business executives, identifies the danger: “They are consummate corporate bureaucrats — with good skills at summarizing the consensus of a committee meeting.” But “they have no vision of where the company ought to go from here.”
There is also another side to the issue of leadership. As the entire evangelical enterprise grows, there is the very real danger that we will become trapped by the success of our own growth. Philosopher Will Durant said that it is the tragedy of things spiritual that we languish if disorganized, yet we become destroyed by the material means of our organization. And it’s precisely at that moment the church is in need of leaders with vision and courage who will not get trapped by the status quo and materialism of big organizations.
New Wineskins
Our world is changing so rapidly, yet I too often hear leaders simply reworking the old formulas which worked well in the 50s. We need people with bold and creative ideas who will forge new ministries and forms of outreach. And here is the tension. Because we’ve invested millions of dollars in structures and systems there is great reluctance to make any change. What happens is that we become cornered by our own success.
Encumbered by structures and investments, it’s difficult for the Abrahams to follow the call and leave all.
More than charismatic leadership
We have been blessed by the powerful leaders who emerged out of the 50s. But in many ways we’ve also been saddled by that model. We must be reminded that in many ways it has been one born out of the individualism of the United States.
However, there are other forms, and today’s emerging generation is seeing that. The discovery is that we can be leaders and yet work in a team. To be bold and creative one need not be a John Wayne, swaggering across the field alone with a Bible tucked under one arm. There is a refreshing new realization that much more can be accomplished if we make deep commitments to each other, affirm each one’s gifts and skills and then, out of that environment, get on with the task.
Operational Leaders
During the past few decades large and effective organizations have grown. They call for effective operational leadership. Denominations and mission agencies require people who are competent to give moral, spiritual and strategic leadership. Most of our seminaries and Bible colleges make no attempt to prepare students for running an organization. When a pastor or teacher is appointed to lead a mission or denomination he (and there are very few “she’s”) is hardly equipped.
Encourage visionaries
The spirit of egalitarianism is rampant in our society. Anyone who shows leadership skills is too often cut off at the knees. For sure we must require a leader to be accountable to the group. But it’s vision which helps to focus on the task. It reminds us of the danger of laziness and the trap of the status quo. It calls us to see beyond our apparent success to the mountains yet to be captured. It pulls us out of lethargy generated by the materialism of the present. And it renews our faith to be bold in doing great exploits for our King. Thus we need visionary leadership.
To the senior church leaders I ask what is being done to ensure the development of younger/emerging leaders. Recall how Samuel the priest, in looking for a new king for Israel, had to push past the selective nepotism of Jesse and ask if there was not another. Only then did Jesse remember his son David, out tending the sheep. Let’s keep in mind that God’s appointed one for leadership may be the one forgotten.
To younger men and women, there is the sober reminder that to be in leadership is not without its risks, failures and loneliness. Are your choices made on the basis of the best financial packages or most secure retirement plan? Do positions of a clearly defined job description become the critical factor? We could learn a lesson from the courage and determination of those more senior. Be a risk taker. See what God can do through a life fully yielded to him.
“Without a vision the people perish,” states a Hebrew proverb. The question turns to, “Who will take the torch and run the next lap?”