Welcome to Season 1 Episode 49 of the Your Church Matters podcast. This is the final episode of our 2015 inaugural season. Thanks so much for sharing this amazing journey.
A few months ago, I saw a YouTube video called “Leadership lessons from the dancing guy.” At first I was amused, but after a few views I was captivated by the powerful metaphor of the first follower.
First, click here to watch the video:
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Leadership lessons mentioned in the video:
- A leader needs the guts to stand alone and look ridiculous.
- You must be easy to follow.
- Embrace the “first follower” as an equal.
- Being a first follower is an under-appreciated form of leadership.
- The first follower transforms a “lone nut” into a leader.
- If the leader is the “flint,” the first follower is the “spark” that makes the fire.
- A second follower proves that the first follower has done well.
- A second follower makes a crowd; a crowd is news.
- A movement must be public, so make sure the crowd sees followers, not just the leader.
- Followers emulate followers.
- A tipping point toward a movement begins with the momentum of a few followers.
- Those on the fence will join the movement when it is large enough to provide safety against being singled out and ridiculed for joining.
- Others will join when they realize it will cost them more not to join than it will to join.
- The leader should intentionally embrace the first few followers as equals, making everything clearly about the movement and not about the leader.
- Be public and easy to follow.
- Leadership is over-glorified; it is the first follower that begins a movement.
- “The best way to make a movement, if you really care, is to courageously follow and show others how to follow.”
My reflections on the video and lessons:
- What would it be like if pastors and church leaders saw themselves first and foremost as first followers?
- If our task, according to Matthew 28:19-20, is to make disciples, then our “leadership development” is really teaching people how to follow Jesus.
- Perhaps, instead of inviting people to participate in our church programs and activities, we should invite people to a movement of Jesus-followers.
- People want to belong. They want to belong to something that matters.
Coming December 18, 2015 … In search of Spiritual Jedi …
The revised and updated version of my book Culture Wars releases the same day as the new Star Wars movie. I am encouraging my friends to buy the book from Amazon on that day. There are some special bonuses that will only be available to those who purchase on December 18. Click here for more information.
To comment on this episode or leave a question for a future episode:
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2. Email: contactgerrylewis@gmail.com
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4. Direct tweet @drgerrylewis
*Special thanks to Keith Cooper (Guitar Music)
