They are crying out for two things:  balanced teachings, and accountability of leaders.

     I believe the reason the Goodwin, Carter, Bosworth, and Hagin recordings speak to us in such a profound way is that this is what these ministries exemplified:  balance and accountability.  Sister Goodwin and other early Pentecostal leaders did not hesitate one minute to rebuke what they considered to be extreme teachings, and they separated themselves from "way out" ministers.

     I see a whole new breed of leaders arising, and I am honored to be associated with them:

     They vary in age, anywhere from teenage years to 80's.

     They are stationed by the Lord in different locations.  Their cultures  and upbringings in big cities, isolated towns, the USA, and countries outside the US, being a part of what God has used to reveal Himself unto them.

     They come in all colors, races, and nationalities, and understand that the preacher that can preach them into their needed breakthrough, may very well be from a group other than their own.

     They have their spiritual homes in various denominations, but are not imprisoned within those walls.  They listen to, and minister for, others without regard to their spiritual labels.

     Some have a Seminary degree, enabling them to help us all maintain sound doctrine.

     Others have a degree in the Holy Spirit, earned from years in prayer and informal study enabling them to speak with a mouth and a wisdom that none can gainsay nor resist.

     Some have been in ministry for a lifetime and others are just starting.

     Some pastor churches ranging from large to small, others minister wherever the Lord opens a door and people have open hearts.

     Some speak in tongues, yet also acknowledge that although speaking in tongues is a great blessing, it is but one way to draw close to the Lord. 

     Others don't speak in tongues, but have no axe to grind against those who do, and accept the Holy Spirit moving however He wills. 

     And whether they speak in tongues or don't speak in tongues, they accept and learn from those in the opposite camp.

     Many of these new leaders have turned off most of Christian TV, finding much of it to be empty, vain, and frankly, a disgrace.

     These new leaders don't keep track of the latest Christian bestselling books because they know most of those high sales numbers are driven by marketing departments and advertising agencies rather than by the will of God and the working of the Spirit.

     They are not impressed by leaders who claim to be infallible, untouchable, and non-accountable because they are "the anointed."

     They yawn when hearing of one rich preacher giving $2 million to another rich preacher.   But they rejoice greatly when they hear that a church only 2 years in existence, with a congregation of 100, has given away $23,000 to the poor.

     They don't grudge against another preacher who travels by private jet, but neither do they equate a jet with anointing or relevance.

     They don't resent another preacher for driving a Rolls Royce, but they see themselves driving Rolls Royces only when the poorest widow in their congregation is driving a new Cadillac.

     They are glad for the preacher who boasts that he buys his suits at Neiman-Marcus, but see themselves shopping there only when every single parent household in their congregation can afford to shop for themselves and their children at Macy's.

     They greatly value humility, balance, integrity, and accountability. 

     They have no use for fame, the flattery of men, or gigantic egos.

     They preach that what God identifies as sin is indeed sin, simply because God says so.

    They are blessed by contemporary Christian music, but are not chained to it.  They are also shaken sometimes by the Hymns of old that the Holy Spirit used in years past to shake whole nations.

     They are not afraid of hip-hop and rap.  But they also feel no need to nod and raise their hands to any form of music, new or old, that ministers to the flesh and brings no blessing to man's spirit.

     They appreciate and use technology, but understand that technology is no substitute for the moving of the Spirit.

     They see no need to claim flashy titles, believing that their gifting will speak for itself.    

     They differ in many ways, but are similar in the Spirit:

     They desire no attention for themselves, only for God. 

     They have no confidence in themselves, only in God.

     They want no glory for themselves, only for God. 

     They have no message, except the Word of God.

     Their message includes all, and excuses no one:

     All have sinned and all must repent.

     All must be washed in the Blood, and welcome the Holy Spirit.

     All must live holy lives, and not return to former sins.

     All must obey the Word or disobedience will cause evil to come.

     All must bear good fruit and love their neighbor as themselves.

     All must prepare for the soon return of the King.

     Yet these new leaders are not rebels: 

     They obey the rules of protocol and decorum.

     They honor those to whom honor is due.

     They feel no need to adopt the latest sloppy clothing fad, or grungy hair-do to show that they are non-conformists. 

     They dress in a clean and presentable fashion, usually--but not always--in suits and ties, not because they have to, but because they are on an errand for the King, and He deserves their best.

     Yes indeed, these are the new kind of leaders God is raising up.  I share their vision, and I am glad to be a part of what God is doing in my generation.

Copyright 2007  Mel C. Montgomery.  All rights reserved.  Article may be copied and shared with others as long as it is done so without charge, in entirety, and attribution is given.