Where will the next batch of radical leaders come from?
Answer: The local church.
Last week I had a series of meetings with my fellow missions/local church connection people from across Canada. We met each day (and had a great lunch) at Levis Alliance church in Quebec City (actually it’s Levis, directly across the St. Lawrence). Part way through, we had the privilege of hearing the testimony of the pastor – Serge Roy.
I enjoyed hearing this brother’s story. He came to Christ much later in life, and as God worked, he began to study and learn more and more. The local church, and pastor Jess Jesperson, were supportive, and soon Serge was studying at IBVIE. IBVIE is school for leadership training that serves the Quebec region. It’s based in Montreal, but has held night courses for people of churches in the Outouais (Gatineau), and Quebec City.
His focus as pastor now at Levis is not only the “every day” ministry of the Levis church, but making disciples of all peoples, whether or not it benefits their community in some way. Recently, they have become involved in ministry with Mexican migrant workers on a local farm — people who will obviously move back to their region. “Our job is not to build our church, but to build the kingdom!” said Serge.
The day before, I had a great phone call with J., a muslim background believer who began his journey with Christ about 4 years ago in Ottawa and attended periodically the church I served in. He had moved back to Montreal to live with his family, and I was concerned for this young, intelligent student who was coming to grips with what to do with his life. I had always seen J. as a future leader, who might have a powerful testimony among Arabic “2nd” generation Canadians.
Praise God! When we talked, I found out he was continuing on his faith journey, reading his Bible, listening to TV preaching (well, why not?) and sharing about Jesus with others. It was obvious he was doing well — but just as obvious that he needed what Serge had — a chance to go deeper in understanding God’s word, and a community to nurture God’s call on his life (wherever that may lead).
So, I’m going to try and link J with IBVIE, and hopefully he’ll meet up not only with bright, faithful people who are dedicated to preparing leaders –but also he’ll have the chance at experiencing the treasure of having a local church “take him in”, love him and ultimately launch him into a lifetime of church-shaping ministry in Quebec (or wherever God leads him).
Local Church: Refining Furnace or Big Comfy Couch
I remember that people that came for discipleship in my church, were often like this. I admit, it was a struggle at times to seize the opportunity and give real energy to someone “ready” for that extra time and effort. Yet I myself am the fruit of some very direct leadership of others in my life.
I think we like the idea that “God calls someone”. Can you see Moses taking his shoes off before approaching the burning bush? Disciples leaving their nets, and following a Rabbi of exceptional authority? Paul, blinded by light on a road near Damascus? Call – well, call seems pretty clear!
But do we like the day in, day out privilege of preparing someone? For Moses, it was a lifetime of preparation. The disciples had to take 3 years of “Jesus University”. Paul spent years studying both pre and post conversion, and was eventually brought under the wing of Barnabas in a wild church plant in Antioch. All of these people, at one time or another, would have easily been overlooked as leaders.
All I’m saying is that great leaders for our movement of churches won’t magically appear for us, pre-prepared, theologically trained, full of our shared vision of Christ in us, the hope of glory. I think God brings leaders to us all the time, but it’s our privilege to — by His grace — deliberately fan into flame the gifts they have, and teach all that we know. Very quickly (it will seem later) how we trained their thought and imagination will one day, full of God’s power, shape our own and re-shape the church.
I love the way the local church in Quebec partners with IBVIE. What about the rest of Canada? Can we, do we, do this with Ambrose?
Are we still hoping somebody will suddenly appear to lead us?