Thoughts and Musings

Thoughts and Musings

random reflections on faith, music, family, life.

Leaders, first followers, and the movement

8/21/2014

0 Comments

 
I bet many of you have seen this video. If not, next time you have three minutes to spare (like, right now), give this a look:
The thing is,  Derek Sivers is right - much the same way Seth Godin is in his book "Tribes."  There are leaders and there are followers, but in the end it has to be about the movement, not the person.  And no leader - no matter how dynamic their personality or how worthy their cause - no leader can be such unless they have people who are ready to follow.  And not people who follow them per-se, but people who follow the movement. People who are passionate about it.  Fervently invested in it.

So - it has to be about the movement, not the leader.  And both the leaders and followers need to get this, or no one's dancing for long.

It's a great way to understand the church, but there sure are a lot of obstacles that can get in the way.  You have pastors who make it more about themselves than it needs to be.  You have churches who make it more about the pastor, putting them on a pedestal, separate from everyone else.  You have congregants who are more observers than followers, and you have churches and pastors who never quite find the movement (read: mission) they are called to.

In other words, there are a lot of moving parts involved in helping a church look like this rock show/dance mosh pit, and it's quite the task bringing them all together as such.  But it can be done.  Here's a very simplistic way of understanding a more complex process:

Find your mission/movement - BUT, don't just limit yourself to what you see others do. Dare to dream and find your own calling.

Find a good leader - BUT, resist every urge to instinctively make it all about them.  And resist every urge to allow them to do the same.

Find those good first followers - BUT, don't let them go un-nurtured and unsupported.  If the mission/movement is right, there's no shame in being "just another follower."  In fact, it's absolutely critical.


And most of all, never be afraid to do a wickedly crazy dance.  You very well may be surprised at the good things that can come from it.  

Just keep your shirt on.  Pretty please.
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Steve Lindsley

    Child of God. Husband. Father. Minister. Musician. Songwriter. Blogger.
    Keynoter and Songleader. Runner/Swimmer. 
    Almost vegetarian. 
    Lifelong Presbyterian.
    Queen City resident.
    Coffee afficionado.
    Dog person. 
    Panthers/Hornets fan. 
    Mostly in that order. 
    For more info check out stevelindsley.com

    RSS Feed


    Picture

    Recent Posts

    Archives

    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    September 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    June 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012

    Categories

    All
    Bible
    Boys
    Christianity
    Church
    Faith
    Family
    Football
    God
    Jesus
    Justice
    Leadership
    Life
    Ministry
    Music
    Olympics
    Pastor
    Pets
    Presbyterian
    Queen City
    Religion
    Television
    Wife


Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.