Followership Excellence

“And [Moses] called the place Massah [Testing] and Meribah [Quarreling] because the Israelites quarreled and because they tested the Lord saying, ‘Is the Lord among us or not?’”  Exodus 17:7

Have you ever noticed?  Our culture is obsessed with leadership.

Browse around Barnes & Noble ... glance through the LinkedIn articles for the day ... page through your on-line trade journals ... peruse your church library.  Leadership-envy is inescapable.  In fact, note the date and time right now ... and see how long before you encounter the perfect irony of someone first assuring us that we’re all leaders and then proceeding to instruct us in leadership basics!

To be honest with you, I think our obsession with leadership is symptomatic of two unhealthy causes: we have concluded that leaders have more value than followers; and we are actually scared to death that we’re not leaders, that we’re unsuccessful by that iconic measure.

Which is a shame.  Because I believe that more good is accomplished through great followers than through great leaders ... and that great followers are more worthy of our esteem.  For great followers toil just as hard, sacrifice just as much, and apply an equally capable – albeit different – skill set.

Great followers are strong enough to temper their own control and rely on that of others.  They have the character to offer precious insights during the decision-making process and then submit themselves to the conclusions of someone else.  Their candor takes more courage, for they speak to those who hold power over them.  And how brave the one who does not violate his or her values and principles, even when pressured to do so by those in authority!  And all of this for a fraction of the recognition. 

In my view, that’s the stuff of heroes.  That is greatness.  That commands respect.  Surely, the last will be first.

But poor followership?  It stymies.  It divides.  It tears down.  Makes for ruin.  And it shows up in today’s text, the Israelites rebelling against their leader and doubting their God.  So defining was the moment that Moses actually named the place after these followers.  He called it, Testing and Quarreling.

Wouldn’t it have been great had Moses been able to name the place, Loyalty and Affirmation?  Or Diligence and Unity!  It would have been a lasting reminder of great followership.  But it could not be, for although Moses is considered among the greatest leaders of all time, it was the poor followers who defined the place.

We are followers.  That’s what “disciple” means: “follower.”  And our response to true leadership defines the place.  So what will it be called?  What will they name the place where we live?  Unity, or Division?  Obedience, or Rebellion?  Courage, or Cowardice?  Maturity, or Pettiness?  Team, or Me?

[Read today’s text, Exodus 17:1-7, in the NIV, or in The Message.]