A New Game: "Lead the Follower"

Ever play follow the leader when you were a kid? We all have. One person does something and the next person in line has to attempt it and then the next and the next and the next. Whoever fails the challenge is out, one after the other until there is only one person left. This is a fun game for children, but it is exactly opposite what those of us who lead hope to achieve in our leading. We're not trying to disqualify all followers with impossible tasks. We actually hope that everyone succeeds, and in fact, a good leader hopes his followers will surpass him. I'm no different, I pray that every member of our youth group grows up to do more, experience more and achieve more than I ever have. I want them to be more successful, have greater influence and a closer walk with God than me.

I tweeted a statement last week that I have been pondering a bit lately. "What's wrong with being a follower? Every truly great leader has led a life of great following. 'Follow me as I follow Christ.' Sound familiar?" As a parent, I understand what other parents mean when they say they are concerned because they have a child who seems to be more of a follower than a leader. We worry that they will follow the wrong influence, the wrong 'crowd'. But this is our challenge: teach and train them to follow the right influences. It really is no different if you have a child who is a natural born leader. What was that super-hero quote? "With great power comes great responsibility." We have the same responsibility to train the leaders to lead in the right direction. We wouldn't want to lead astray any more than we would want to be led astray. Bottom line: we are all following someone, even the leaders. And, like it or not, we are all leading someone. Whether directly and on purpose, or indirectly by our influence. Even if you were the very last person in line, following many, it wouldn't be long before someone steps in line following you.

Okay, so I've said a lot already and haven't even gotten to any scripture. You knew that wasn't going to last. So first, the Bible gives us a little bit of warning about desiring to be leaders. James 3:1 tells us, "My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation." (KJV) Another version says it differently using the word "teachers" in place of "masters": "Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness." (ESV) I believe we could use the word "leader" just the same. This sounds very much like Uncle Ben's advice to the young hero mentioned above, does it not?

Secondly, I would encourage you to take a few minutes to just read through the whole book of Titus. It is only three short chapters that you can read in under 20 minutes. If I had to sum up this letter from Paul to Titus in as few words as possible I'd say, "Leading through Godly example." Paul left Titus to lead the church at Crete, but the Cretans were creating a bad reputation for themselves. And sadly, when it was said of them, "Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons", Paul's next words were, "This testimony is true". Paul's answer for this was for Titus to live a Godly life, to appoint Elders in the church who would live Godly lives and thereby influence the others to likewise live Godly lives. This is very clearly stated in the first several verses of chapter two, ending with verse eight that says, "...that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you."

Do we need strong leaders? Yes! But we also need strong followers. How effective would our military be if we had thousands of Generals barking orders and no soldiers to carry them out?