Followers Who Lead

I have the not-so-wonderful opportunity to travel through Los Angeles International Airport on many of my trips. Right now I am sending this as I wait for my flight to Seattle. Looking around the airport and all of these people I can’t help but think how easy it is to get around.

Thanks to the flight alerts on my iPhone, monitors on every other wall, and bright signs every traveler clearly knows where they are headed.

They are all following signs, their phone messages, and the guy who keeps talking on the airport intercom. Everyone knows the way. It’s easy. It’s easy to follow when the way is clear. Clarity.

What brings us clarity? Or, who brings us clarity? Recently I’ve been reminded of what makes a good leader. Followership. A good follower of Jesus makes the way clear for others to follow Him.

Let me illustrate: This is John and Sherry Broesamle. Gosh, I love these folks, it is such a privilege to serve alongside them. They have served in East Asia and here in the Pacific Southwest helping people understand how they can know God personally.

John and Sherry have also led leaders for many years. They continue to contribute to helping people experience the reality of Jesus.

But what makes John and Sherry good leaders, people I love to follow and serve with, is their followership. They have walked with, and they follow, Jesus.

A book I’ve mentioned several times in this blog is I Am A Follower by Leonard Sweet. “We have come to believe that we have a leadership crisis while all along we have been in a drought of discipleship. The Jesus paradox is that only Christians lead by following.”  (21) John and Sherry are followers and disciples first. That’s what makes them good leaders.

Sherry has just taken the role of National Director for Leadership Development in The Pacific Southwest. Sherry will be so good in this role. Why? She has many skills in developing people, helping with systems and processes, among others. But the main reason she will do well in leading others is because she loves and follows Jesus.

Meet Jonathan. This kid (sorry Jonathan, compared to me you’re a kid) is awesome. Jonathan is graduating from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo with a degree in Mechanical Engineering.

Jonathan is headed to East Asia with 6 other graduates to be missionaries for a year. As I interacted with Jonathan throughout the application process I was impressed with him.

He is accomplished and smart. Jonathan works hard and is a joy to be around. However, it’s not these things that will make him a good leader this year. He will lead well because he follows well. Jonathan will lead others fruitfully because he is sensitive to being led by the One. Followership.

When I think of these folks, their character, and love for God’s Word this quote comes to mind,“The character of Christ must be an ever-present filter and the Scriptures a screen for every instruction in living and conducting the body of Christ.” (88)

Thanks to Jonathan, John, and Sherry for reminding me of what good leaders really focuses on–Following.

Here’s to following the One and leading others to Him…

If you’d like to read I Am A Follower you can get it here…http://www.amazon.com/Am-Follower-Truth-Following-Jesus/dp/0849946387/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1338840452&sr=8-1