What is Reformation Day, and Why Does it Matter for Leaders?
For most of Western culture, October 31st is Halloween – marked by costume parties, pumpkin carving, trick-or-treating, and more candy than any human should consume. I, for one, will be teaching my kids how to pay their taxes by levying the all-important “candy tax,” where I get my fair share of Reeces Pieces, Sour Patch, & Smarties. It’s only fair given that I provide services like housing, transportation, and food sustenance. But I do digress…
October 31st is actually an even more significant day for Christians, as well as leaders. We remember Reformation Day, the day that Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenburg, Germany. This viral moment set off a chain reaction that quite literally changed the world – in a way unseen since the days of the apostles. Luther used his influence to change the status quo & imagine a better future. This flash of bold leadership and the sustained movement that followed is full of examples that we can learn from today.
Leaders can challenge & even flip the system.
Martin Luther was a student of God’s Word, and found conviction in the lost doctrine of “justification by faith” alone. In other words, salvation and eternal life doesn’t come from good works, behaviors, or paying penance – but trusting in Christ alone. On a leadership level, Luther was disrupting the system – the Roman Catholic Church. The century before was defined by widespread corruption, selling indulgences, false doctrine, biblical illiteracy, superstitions, and manipulative tactics for personal gain. To challenge such a predominant worldview at the time required bravery, boldness, and personal courage. Luther represented a refusal to accept the way things were and simply say, “it is what it is.” Rather than accept it or worse, just complain about it – he did something about it. He led!
Leaders are masters of timing.
October 31st wasn’t an accident. It was the day before All Saints Day (November 1st), where the most educated, influential people in the church would gather to observe relics and remember past leaders of the church. Nailing the 95 Theses to the largest, most influential church in the city was the most public way Luther could get his message out. The unrest and holy discontent of the culture was just right for this spark to set off a wildfire that spread quickly. As a leader, Luther discerned the timing & moved with conviction.
Leaders strive for common language.
One of the central themes of the Reformation was bringing Christianity from the elite, castle towers of the Church to the common man. This started with language. Luther accurately translated the Bible into a simple, common language everyone could understand, not just the scholars of the day. Can you imagine attending church services where you couldn’t even understand what was being said from the platform? That’s what was happening; and Luther decided enough was enough. Empowering the everyday person with the timeless truth of the Word of God in a language they could understand changed culture from the inside out. One of our Rules of Thumb that we teach at theChapel is “Publix Language” – making complex things incredibly simple, using words that you might hear at the grocery store. The simple communication style of the Reformation was a major key to the effectiveness of the movement.
Leaders invite others to participate in something bigger than themselves.
The Reformation championed the idea of the “priesthood of all believers.” In other words, Christians don’t need a middle-person, like a priest, in order to connect with God. They have access to God. Because of the accessibility of the Word of God, made possible by the recent invention of the printing press, anyone and everyone could hear the message of Jesus. All of a sudden, people began realizing that they had a purpose. Purpose wasn’t reserved for the elite of society anymore. You had purpose, your neighbor had purpose. And leaders like Luther invited people to participate in a bigger story, God’s purposes for the world. Once the world realized this, the movement couldn’t be stopped.
Leaders don’t just make statements, they make a difference.
Martin Luther did more than just make a statement, he committed his life to making a difference. He lived 28 years after the posting of the 95 Theses, and led with conviction, imagination, and relentless commitment. When put on trial at the Diet of Worms a few years later, Luther was being pressured to withdraw his statements and recant his beliefs. Luther declared, “I neither can nor will retract anything; for it cannot be either safe or honest for a Christian to speak against his conscience. Here I stand. I cannot do otherwise. God help me. Amen.” What an example of standing firm! Luther didn’t happlessly post his opinions for the world to see without standing by them and seeing the movement through.
Martin Luther’s impact and legacy is undeniable. On this Reformation Day, we can be inspired by his courage, conviction, and willingness to flip the script. If something is not right, if injustice abounds, you can change it. Equipped with the wisdom of God’s Word, the communication tools of the day, and the right timing – you have a voice to invite others into a bigger purpose & make a difference in your world.
