This quote is from the book Organic Church. It came out in 2005. But I believe this message is even more relevant for the church today.

Interestingly, "ordinary" comes from the Latin word meaning "order." The AI summary of my internet search has this to say: "The term conveys the notion of conformity to a established, predictable, and orderly pattern."

Here's my question: Have we confused man-made religious systems and traditions for God's greater, higher order?

American culture is steeped in celebrity and visibility. Numbers and money. Power and proximity. And it's seeped into our congregations.

We're used to polished worship sets, charismatic speakers, head pastors, and paid church staff. Meanwhile, the majority sit passively, rarely having any opportunity to participate meaningfully, explore spiritual gifts, or get equipped for their own works of service.

The New Testament depicts a very different dynamic than what we've accepted as normal operating procedure during our Sunday services.

Thankfully, Jesus is visiting his church, breaking chains, and loosing captives! The book of Acts shows us how ordinary men and women turned the world upside down through courageous obedience that comes from being with Jesus (see Acts 4:13).

I want to share something I wrote last summer that I feel burning in me again as it relates to this day of the ordinary...

A new breed of leaders ❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥

God is unleashing a new breed of leaders across the earth. They are of a different order and caliber. Watch as they begin to rush forth. You will recognize them by their hair — i.e., their consecration and dedication to God alone, not to a certain church, celebrity, ministry, or stream of Christianity.

The word for leaders in this verse comes from the words peraʿ (H6545) and pāraʿ (H6544). According to Strong’s definitions, peraʿ speaks of long hair or the hair as disheveled. Pāraʿ means to lead or act as leader as well as to let loose.

There’s a connection with these words to the Nazirite vow from Numbers 6. It’s a special vow of dedication and separation to the Lord, open to any man or woman. The only qualification: a burning heart to be fully devoted and near to God.

Lou Engle in his book Nazirite DNA explains their role: “During Israel’s darkest hours, and in the time of its greatest moral decline, God raised up individuals and prophetic companies of young people called the Nazirites … These consecrated ones, by their lifestyles and anointings, shook people out of their complacency and confronted the religious status quo with a burning zeal for the name and fame of God.”

Part of the terms of this vow included letting their locks of hair grow long (Numbers 6:5). Engle explains that the long hair symbolized “strength and vitality of life” and served as a “public mark of consecration and a form of open accountability.”

Just as in the days of the judges, God is still responding to the cries of his people. He’s raising up new leaders and deliverers who are fully devoted to Jesus. Their hair is disheveled. Wild. Windblown.

These unlikely leaders may seem a tad untidy. They’re different. They don’t blend in or move with the majority. They’re radiant and ruddy. They bring a holy disruption. These are leaders who are not projecting perfection. There’s a realness and rawness. They are willing to show us their mess and speak of their process, even their failures, so God gets all the glory!

These new leaders will awaken and loose the pew-sitters, even the drifters and naysayers. They’ll inspire and empower ordinary believers to readily enlist in God’s army, with abandon, for the sake of their family and nation, fulfilling the great commission.

Are you in?

With love,

Chelsea

P.S. In case you're still reading alllll the way down here, I want to tell you about an exciting life update...

Last fall I started classes to get licensed as a clinical pastoral counselor through the National Christian Counselors Association! I'm now certified as a temperament counselor and am finishing my final coursework and practicum required for licensing. I'm accepting a limited number of clients and so grateful to be part of the team at Nebraska 117 Counseling.

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