Leadership Journal

General Ferdinand Foch, regarded as a World War I hero, sent the following dispatch to his superiors at a time when his army was in deep trouble: Hard pressed on my right. My center is yielding. Impossible to maneuver. Situation excellent. I attack.

Foch's words illustrate courage instead of fear, faith instead of capitulation, and resolve instead of paralysis. And his counter-intuitive counter-attack successfully thwarted a strategic enemy advance. Could these be useful words for men and women of spiritual influence in these days of economic meltdown?

When things get scary (and they are) the instinct of most church and organizational leaders is to circle the wagons, cut back, and wait out the difficult times. That is the business way, and it usually makes sense.

But Ferdinand-Foch-type leaders also use crises; they recognize that bad times can produce fresh ideas and new ways to pursue the mission of "making and growing disciples," something the Christian movement hasn't been doing very well lately.

Two biblical moments come to mind.

The first moment, a sad one, came when Israel, reaching the borders of the Promised Land, chose to cut and run when the majority report of the 12 spies described a land beyond their means to conquer. Their fear-based decision cost them forty miserable years and a generation of fearful people. Our Christian movement could do that, too.

The second moment, an exciting one, came when Jesus talked with his disciples on Mount Olivet (Matt. 24-25) and described the coming meltdown of Temple religion and the uncertainties that would be caused by war, natural disasters, and severe human suffering.

For Jesus the coming bad times were not times for caution and restraint, but rather a time to say, "I attack" in risky new ways. The Lord clearly had in mind a picture of Pentecost and the launch of a new global movement called the church.

Consider the possibility that we are on the cusp of a massive change in the direction and strategies of the Christian movement. This may be shakeup time.

What convinces me?

We're seeing a massive rearrangement of economic realities. There appears to be a dramatic change in political direction in the United States promising exciting possibilities and potential threats (but think most about the possibilities). A globalized Christianity has come about with new spiritual leadership coming from places like Korea, Nigeria, and certain Latin American countries. Within a short time China and maybe India will challenge America's position of world leadership. And who knows what befalls us if terrorists have their way or we ignore concerns like global warming, energy dependence, and poverty?

The worldwide economic crisis seems the most immediate challenge. Worst case scenario? Many churches will not survive (it's happened before). Christian schools and seminaries will gasp for air; some will suffocate. Parachurch and missions organizations will find themselves in a Darwinian struggle for funding. Theological ideas built on prosperity, American superiority, and asset accumulation will be severely tested.

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