WHAT HAPPENS WHEN LEADERS WORK TOGETHER? by Patrick Morley To illustrate the potential power of leaders working together in community, I would like to tell you about one of history’s most astonishing transformations. In the sixteenth century and in just 40 years, half of all the churches in Europe converted to Protestantism. This time has come to be known as The Protestant Reformation. How did the Reformation happen so quickly? What were the factors that led to transformation? What lessons can we learn for our ministries today? The Reformation had many different important leaders. On my office wall I have 18th century drawings of nine of the most important Reformation leaders: Erasmus, Luther, Melanchthon, Bucer, Calvin, Beza, Bullinger, Martyr, and Henry VIII. I have each of them matted in a different color of the rainbow to illustrate the broad spectrum of thinking present in the Reformation. Beginning on the left, in purple, is Erasmus who laid the foundations. Next, in shades of blue are Luther and Melanchthon who spearheaded the Lutheran branch in Germany. The Reformed branch included Bucer in Strasburg; Calvin and Beza in Geneva and Zwingli, Bullinger and Martyr in Zurich. The Radical Reformation was led by the Anabaptists. And the English 10 Reformation was piloted by Henry VIII and his son, Edward VI. Let’s recount some highlights from the Reformation. While reading along, see if you can pick out some of the factors that led to the Reformers’ success. The foundations for the Protestant Reformation were laid by the humanist Erasmus. Erasmus is remembered as the scholar who opened the door that allowed Luther and more radical reformers to challenge the church. Ironically, Erasmus opened the way, but then spent the rest of his career distancing himself from Luther and Melancthon. He really belonged more to the world of the fifteenth century than to the Reformation. Erasmus wanted to reform the morals of the church. Luther wanted to change the doctrine of the church. At the beginning of his career, Luther was reading Augustine and Erasmus—the world’s first best-selling author. Erasmus and Luther had a positive relationship between 1519 and 1526. Luther’s chief lieutenant was Philip Melanchthon, who systematized Luther. WHA LEAD A Classic Article What Can Happen When Leaders Work Together? continues on page 58 ▶
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