By, Eric Marrapodi, CNN
I don’t know Francis Chan, but to be quite frank, I respect him a ton. At the height of Christian stardom, he walks away. That’s right – pulls the plug. When we talk about leadership from a Biblical perspective, it must be self-aware (understand our place) and self-effacing (clear about importance). I do not see a great deal of either of those things among the star elite. As a matter of fact, I see the exact opposite. Like I said, don’t know what is driving him, but it seems like something quite counter-culturally and, may I say, good!
I wonder what would happen if all the “stars” took a break. What effect do you think it would have on the church in the west?
Thanks for weighing into the JR. I am probably in agreement with you that this will not change anything, but I want to commit doggedly to affirming the small gestures of Kingdom where I see it. The whole superstar machine called American Christianity will churn on, but this is at least a small prophetic gesture toward a different way.
I hope you have a great 2011!!!
I’m with you, props to Francis for walking away from the comfort and control that came along with his position and stardom. We need plenty more examples of this.
To answer your question though, truthfully (and I just hate that this will come across as cynical), I’m not sure that the act alone, even en masse, would have the effect we’d like – a distribution of ministry into teams of gifted people as opposed to standout personalities. Francis, and the rest who would follow him, will simply be replaced by the next in line as befitting the structures and systems that are in place. These have to come crumbling to the ground.
Perhaps Francis has been more focal than I am aware, but the really great thing, the truly helpful thing, would be for people like this, not just to leave, but to go the next big step of calling out a bankrupt system that they would see dismantled. I would hate for that to be a reason for anyone not to follow through, I’m just advocating for an awareness and vocalization of the larger problems we are facing in Western Christianity.