Who would you pick to be the new voice for Christianity?

As this decade comes to a close I am reminded of some great Christian leaders who have passed on. Bill Bright (Campus Crusade), Ted Engstrom (YFC and World Vision), Jerry Falwell (Moral Majority), Carl F. H. Henry (Christianity Today), D. James Kennedy (Coral Ridge Ministries), Stephen Olford (Preacher), Pope John Paul II, Mother Teresa, Adrian Rogers (Minister), and just this week, Oral Roberts.

A few of the aging Christian leaders who seem to be losing their influence, but haven’t yet left the scene, include names like James Dobson (Focus on the Family), Billy Graham (Evangelist), Pat Robertson (CBN), and Robert Schuller (Crystal Cathedral). Most of these leaders are seldom heard from anymore in mainstream media.

Newer names such as Franklin Graham (Samaritan’s Purse), TD Jakes (Potter’s House), Joel Osteen (Lakewood Church), and Rick Warren (Saddleback Church) each continue to generate millions of dollars in donations and product sales like the generation before them. But they don’t seem to be making much impact on society — and like the older generation, these leaders also have little influence through mainstream media.

The “Most Admired” man according to Gallup’s 2008 survey was Barack Obama at 32 percent. Billy Graham and Pope Benedict were the only two Christian ministry leaders who made it on the top-ten list. (And they were way behind Obama, with only two percent each.) None of the younger Christian leaders even made the list.

Hillary Clinton was the “Most Admired” woman at 20 percent. Not a single woman in Christian ministry made the top-ten list. (Sarah Palin followed Hillary with 11 percent, along with Ellen DeGeneres, Oprah, and Angelina Jolie.) Again, no Christian leaders outside of politics.

There are a few voices that have captured audiences. FOXNews has Glenn Beck, a Mormon, and Bill O’Reilly and Sean Hannity, both good Catholic boys. And conservative Rush Limbaugh still has lots of radio listeners.

But who will God tap to speak with Christian conviction and relevance to the current generation?

Will the new “Christian voice” succumb to the gospel of the politically correct? Will their message be merely about socialism, climate change and the melting polar ice cap? Or will they speak the truth from God’s word? Will they address our sin and selfishness, God’s redemptive work through Jesus Christ on the Cross, and His willingness to help us overcome our sinful life? And if they preach the gospel, how will they get their message to the masses?

Carrying this torch is a God-sized task. I’m grateful He’s given us a roadmap. One that will help leaders of all organizations be more effective: the Bible.

Here’s some advice from Proverbs 16 by one of the wisest leaders of all time:
All a man’s ways seem innocent to him, but motives are weighed by the LORD .
The LORD detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished.
When a man’s ways are pleasing to the LORD, he makes even his enemies live at peace with him.
Better a little with righteousness than much gain with injustice.
How much better to get wisdom than gold, to choose understanding rather than silver!
Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.
The wise in heart are called discerning, and pleasant words promote instruction.
A wise man’s heart guides his mouth, and his lips promote instruction.
Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
A scoundrel plots evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire.
A perverse man stirs up dissension, and a gossip separates close friends.
Better a patient man than a warrior, a man who controls his temper than one who takes a city.

Here’s my paraphrase of Solomon’s words:
Carefully examine your motives. God has.
If you’re too proud, you will fall. Count on it.
If you do what you’re supposed to, the way you’re supposed to, you’ll win.
It’s not about the money. Less really is more.
Figuring out how to do the right thing is more satisfying than making money.
When you know you’re right, duck.
When you say the right thing the right way, they’ll want to hear more.
It’s not about winning an argument, it’s about winning a heart and mind.
Keep cool under stress and your impact will be much greater.

Of course, it’s easier to paraphrase Solomon’s advice than to actually live it…