I got turned on to a guy by the name of Carey Niewhof's blog this week. He has been blogging recently about "Follower's Traps." I like that subject because so often I think people get riveted with what makes a good leader that they forget that being a good follower is important too. We don't think of following as being a very noble task because in our culture we idolize leaders. But the reality is following is a fundamental part of our lives. Jesus said that if anyone wants to be associated with him, following is the most important single thing that they can do. I mean how ridiculous would it have been if Jesus had said, "If anyone want to come after me, let them take up their cross, deny themselves and lead me?" It wouldn't have worked.
In my opinion, it is great followers that help create great leaders just like bad followers can destroy them. For example, think about Bill Beliechek, the coach of the undefeated New England Patriots. Granted he may be an unbelievably gifted strategist and motivator, but unless his players are willing to listen to what he says and follow his game plan, he would be an average coach at best. That's the way it is with any organization. Without great followers, leadership is minimized.
So what makes a great follower? Or better yet, what are some of the traps followers can fall into? Let me try and answer this question as it relates to the church and our spiritual lives. This is my trap #1that followers fall into.
When they don't know something, they make something up.
This past week the Elders and I sat through a training period where our trainer made the point that when people don't know the truth about an issue, more often than not, they will make something up. I have found that to be especially true in the life of the church. Unfortunately what happens many times is that people hear about things that have taken place and instead of going straight to the source, they assume. What's worse is that once assumptions are made, they are hard to undo. You know it's the proverbial, "Don't confuse me with the facts, I have already made up my mind mentality." This is extremely detrimental to the life of the church, or any organization for that matter, because it breeds rumor and innuendo. It creates distrust and lack of loyalty. It just isn't healthy.
Great followers, just like great leaders don't make assumptions. Instead if there are situations that develop that cause concern, before they jump into the fray, they take time to do some fact gathering. Then they confirm that they have accurate information and not just the "gossip" or opinion of someone who may not have their story straight. This approach is not only good for the church it is the biblical approach. William Safire said, "Never assume the obvious is true." In other words, what he is saying is make sure you have your facts straight. Great followers take that to heart. I will talk about more traps that followers fall into in future blogs. I want to close today's blog with a quote from John Ortberg.
"Great followers create unstoppable cultures. Don't underestimate the power of great followership because to follow well is one of the greatest challenges in life. Jesus came looking for followers. And Jesus is looking for followers still. Great followers will change the world, so YOU be a great follower."
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