"Shining Lights" #3

Zinzendorf and the Moravians had something that God used to build the church and advance His Kingdom – a “renewed” wineskin. Jesus said, do not put “new wine into old wineskins, or else the wineskins break, the wine is spilled, and the wineskins are ruined: but put new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved” (Mt. 9: 17). It seems the great need (then and now) was not “new wine”, but “new wineskins”. God is not requiring the “new” in existence (Gr. Neos), but the “renewed” by process and preparation (Gr. Kainos). Old wineskins were to be properly prepared by soaking them in water (of the word) for softening; and rubbing them with oil (of the Spirit’s anointing) to prevent leaking or evaporation. Consequently, the renewal of the church (its people, leaders, priorities and structures) is vitally linked with all Kingdom increase and expansion.

Dr. C. Peter Wagner has taught me to ask the question, “Why does the blessing of God rest where it does?”²² In response to this… I believe there is a discernible pattern of blessing – a “renewed” wineskin among the “Moravians”. Within this “committed community” we find five governing characteristics: 1) Apostolic Leadership, 2) Profound Christology, 3) Genuine Unity, 4) Cell Ministry, and 5) World Missions. The genesis and emphasis of these prophetic principles melted hearts, molded lives and was destined to impact the world.

Count Nikolaus Ludwig von Zinzendorf, leader of the Moravian revival at Herrnhut, is a most prominent and enigmatic character on the stage of Christian history. Here was a sophisticated man of nobility – royalty used by God to bring an awakening. At first glance, one may think, “what an unusual man, what an unusual name?” However, he serves as one in a long line of voices arising on the “periphery” of the established churches, revealing the fact that “God often chooses surprising people from surprising places to do surprising things.” Zinzendorf was to became the “young King Hezekiah” (2 Chr. 29-10+) of 18^th century Protestantism.

Count Zinzendorf “was a man of great tact and grace, and had outstanding leadership abilities.”²³ As a “wise master builder”, he nurtured apostolic passion, order, and purpose among the Moravians of Herrnhut. He was a “gifted and spiritually sensitive man… of singularly impressive and commanding personality.”²⁴ In 1738, John Wesley visited Herrnhut and observed with great fascination Zinzendorf’s administrative excellence and strong, governing influence (the latter of which he somewhat disliked).²⁵ Let’s take a look at the genesis and fruit of this leadership.

This man’s leadership was the direct result of his spiritual heritage. His natural family and spiritual mentors had succeeded in molding a vessel of honor for the Lord’s Glory. At his dedication as a baby, the Count’s mother asked God to “govern the heart of this child to walk blamelessly in the path of virtue… that his path may be fortified in thy Word.”²⁶ Raised in an atmosphere of worship, prayer and Bible study, his mother, pietist grandmother and aunt then nurtured a discernment, sensitivity and passion in the young Count that produced a respect for both the authority of God and life of Christ in any person. Later, even his courtship, marriage (to devout pietist – Countess Erdmuth Dorethea Von Reuss), and parenting (of their twelve children) became a pattern for the renewed Moravians. Although many moderns have balked at their stringent views of Lordship and courtship, the fruit of their lives and families is undeniable (Lk. 7: 35).

Their subjection of choices, interests and relationships to their missionary purpose and the will of God, serves as an example to all who would “set their affections on things above.” “Our families nurture, preserve, and pass on to each succeeding generation the values that are the foundation for our freedom… the strength of our families is vital.”²⁷ With the essence of leadership being influence, we must remember, the most profound and fundamental influence is paternal/familial. The family is a God-ordained leadership laboratory. Therefore, as in the case of Count Zinzendorf, often the single most effective way to produce quality leaders is through godly parenting and family relationships.

The young Count’s passion for Bible study and Jesus was shaped and refined by his spiritual fathers and godly mentors. Spener and Francke planted seeds of stability, strength, love, guidance, and revelation truth in the young disciple. Discipleship is God’s way to reach the world (Mt. 28: 18-20) with the life and truth of Jesus Christ – through one’s personal influence on other individuals by relationship, example, devotion, correction and encouragement. Zinzendorf was no mere believer, he was a disciple. This discipleship established character and practical piety in Zinzendorf while cultivating inner maturity and transformation. Discipleship (then and now) is a Biblical qualification that preceded the Count’s leadership (Lk. 6: 12-13).

Count Zinzendorf’s rich spiritual heritage made him a vanguard leader, willing to pay the price of pioneering and making changes, while pointing the way in times of complacency and transition. “He always seemed able to find and draw out the best in men while overlooking their faults… enabling him to rise above the petty spiritual politics that thwart so many in their quest for truth.”²⁸ This ability to “examine all things and hold fast to what is good” (1 Thes. 5: 21) allowed him to prophetically unite the strengths of various Christian camps. “Through Zinzendorf, the Protestant-Pietist streams merge with some descendants of Radical Christianity to form the most significant missionary movement of the 18^th29 century.” As an Apostolic bridge builder and foundation layer, he was truly an understanding scribe, instructed/discipled in the Kingdom and bringing forth out of his treasure things new and old (Mt. 13: 51-52).

Revival author Lewis Drummond establishes the unique quality and essence of Count Zinzendorf by making him the focused example of his chapter titled “At Last, A Leader Who Leads!”³⁰ This prophetic reformer provided the apostolic leadership necessary to birth an awakening and transition the church for renewal and advance. “History is filled with instances when powerful leaders have failed to meet the challenge of the future… often discovering, the world for which they prepared no longer exists.”³¹ However, Count Zinzendorf gained God’s perspective of the past and future, and was able to live and lead with great power.