Wanted or Needed?

Today I attended the graduation ceremony of Denver Seminary. The speaker was Gordon McDonald, noted author and speaker and Interim President of Denver Seminary. The title of his speech was "Wanted: Prophetic Leaders." When I first looked at the program and saw the title my first thought was "Really, do you think prophets are wanted?" It turns out that was the point. The theme was that the church today in America needs prophetic leaders, whether it wants them or not. It made me really think about the state of the church in America today - are we on the cutting edge of spiritual movement, or are we Laodicea, selling lukewarm pablum accepted by churchgoers because they want to be called Christian but only on Sunday and then only to sit for forty-five minutes to an hour listening to pop-psychology or secular self-help supported by a bible verse here and there. Do we really want prophets? The history of religion would not indicate that. We cast them as lunatics or sometimes heretics and fail to hear messages of conscience and correction or even of commendation coming from God.

I once heard it said that when the church began in Palestine it was a movement, when it came to Rome it became an institution, and when it came to America it became a corporation. I think that can be true in many cases. Churches follow secular models of leadership, listen to secular leaders training us in how to run our organizations, worry more about the numbers filling our sanctuaries than we do about the people filling them and so we adopt merchandizing ideals to sell our local churches. Prophetic leaders frequently have a tough time being as successful as others with that last piece. From the earliest times people have not wanted to hear the prophetic voice when it meant that they were required to do something with their faith. Worship is not about us, never has been, never will be - it is about glorifying God. If we cannot carry that outside of the doors of the church building, then all it amounts to is a self-serving feel good hour. Worship should transform, and that is the job of the prophet; transforming people. Prophets press us to put feet to our words. In Mark 7:6, the writer reports Jesus reminding the Pharisees of what is written in Isaiah 29:13:

He replied, "Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written:" 'These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.'

Do we preach what God has spoken to us, or do we fill our pulpits with those who fill our ears with what we want to hear. Are we too rich and comfortable to see that we are truly blind, poor and naked? Do we teach the prophetic Word of God or do we preach a gospel of ease? The place of the church of Christ in the world has nothing to do with prosperity. The United States is not God's nation, favored over others - Jesus himself said that His kingdom was not of this world. The church is not a self-help group, or a place to become fully self-aware. It is a place to worship our creator, to glorify God, to put feet to the message he gives us. If we prosper, that is okay, so long as we use that prosperity as God wants us to. If we live in a free democracy it is so we can help lift the oppression of others living in the same democracy as well as across the globe. If we gain growth from our dealings with God, it comes from Him - there is nothing self focused about it, that is called being discipled. With spiritual maturity comes the responsibility to disciple others - it is not for us to keep. All of the blessings that come from God are there to further His name across the earth, not ours.

The church is indeed in need of prophetic leaders. There is little hope for the church without them, but it is not easy. We need to see with His eyes that the gospel is about aligning our heart with His. As Isaiah said "These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me." Father God, help us to hear the voice of the prophet and bring our hearts in alignment with Yours.