Secret Advancement

"My name is Bond, James Bond."
"Ahhh.  Mr. Bond"

I always wondered, "What good is it to be a secret agent if everyone knows your name, your face and you announce your arrival?"  That is simply the movies.  Movies can present totally illogical situations that simply attract us and build a story.  The secret agent who is no secret at all?

Many emerging leaders and "on the move" leaders expend a great deal of effort to keep their next leadership move a secret.  Have you ever noticed?  They work on their plans, they are hush-hush, and the excitement and drama builds.  One day, they simply show up and announce their new life, ministry, position or whatever and off they go.  Interestingly, they live a weird paradox when, after being secretive and then simply announcing their new life, they do not get the immediate support of those leaders above and around them.  Many of those other leaders may not counter them but they do walk off thinking, "Hmmmmmm. "  The leader with the gift of discernment or wisdom thinks, "Saw this one coming."

If the move is awesome and righteous (the best case scenario), the hesitation to support is merely due to a lack of knowledge and time to "buy in" to the new, surprise plan.  In the worst case scenario, the hesitation is the previous plus much caution as the wary fellow leaders ask, "Why the big secret? I wonder what I don't know.  Are they ready?"

In either case, this emerging "on the move" leader should ask herself, "Why am I doing this in secret?"  Disregarding all of the common rationalizations about privacy, people understanding and best of all, "I just didn't wannt to start a panic", she must reason against Scripture which instructs a different plan.  God's truths describe the Body of Christ and leadership as transparent, seeking counsel and working together as a unit to see His call on and confirmation to leaders.  This cannot happen in secret.  She must reason against the Proverbs that call for "wisdom and safety" which "are found in many wise counselors."

If the answer to the question "Why  was this plan a secret?" is "To protect others and not cause a panic," the emerging leader must be certain that those he is protecting are lost.  Otherwise, he is denying the power of God to secure and confirm his call in the other believers in the Body of Christ.  What emerging leader would want to be found in opposition to Scripture that calls for the blessing of those above and around us?

We could enumerate all the possible answers to the question "Why was this plan a secret?" but let's be leaders and save time by stating the obvious and  moving on.  Emerging and "on the move" leaders keep their plans a secret because they do not want, trust or understand the call of God to accountability.   Most times they simply want to move unquestioned to "their" desire, they don't trust those around them or they don't care about those around them.  Anyone who has been 19 years old understands this...right?  Secret moves are almost always selfish.

Remember the James Bond example?  Do those in "secret" really think that no one knows what is so obvious?  The wise emerging leader and the wise leader on the move will live like a Christian leader and model trust in God's call, God's ability to help those around the move, God's divine plan for accountability and God's divine plan for annointing and agreement among the Body of Christ.  After all, what leader should move on to the next level without living these basics.