I think this is what I've been getting at w/o really understanding it. Because if the changes are small, and almost invisible in the moment, until you look back decades later, then who is the Lord using to promote social change within the church? Is he using us at the bottom of the hierarchy to change those at the top who are rooted in comfort and traditions? I'm not trying to demean the purpose of the office of apostle but rather point out that maybe the Lord merely uses them at the end, when all the small changes have swelled to crescendo of momentum, to give an institutional voice to what has already become quite obvious to all of us.
Thanks for your contribution. Helped me process something that wasn't too clear.