Is the age of Big Name Christian leaders (of our persuasion) likely over?

The promotion of John MacArthur to glory is, in many ways, a particularly loud call to ponder to the future of the conservative evangelical movement, especially in the realm of leadership. We have lost leaders in a variety of realms, like James Dobson, Warren Wiersbe, and a host of other notables with significant influence. While we still have a good number of influential big names (Franklin Graham, Erwin Lutzer, Chuck Swindoll, D.A. Carson, Ken Ham, John Piper) in both popular and academic realms, they are up there in the years. People will fill their “slots,” but will they garner their influence?

Maybe this is a good thing? With the moral failings of some being revealed (like Ravi Zacharias and a number in less Bible-oriented groups/Seeker sensitives), maybe big name leaders in our current culture is a bad idea?

Then there is this thing of God’s Sovereign hand. He can do as He pleases, and we are not challenging that. So our question is based on “under the sun” reasoning, what we expect in light of trends and the culture and what we observe.

What is your opinion, and what are your thoughts? Does the kingdom NEED big name leaders? Do you see anyone relatively young rising to great influence? Lots to discuss.