Matthew 9: 9

"As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth; and he said to him, 'Follow me.' And he got up and followed him."

Reflection by Anthony B. Robinson

If you experienced a college orientation this fall there's a pretty good chance that the college or university touted itself for being in the business of "educating tomorrow's leaders." It's difficult, however, to imagine a school that would announce we "educate tomorrow’s followers."

Leadership is all the rage. What about the other side of the coin? What about followership?

Unitarian minister Paul Beedle describes "followership" as, "The discipline of supporting leaders and helping them lead well. It is not submission, but the wise and good care of leaders, done out of a sense of gratitude for their willingness to take on the responsibilities of leadership, and a sense of hope and faith in their abilities and potential."

For Christians, followership shouldn't be a foreign concept. The initial words of Jesus to his disciples were, "Follow me." If our ultimate followership is of Jesus, then one penultimate expression of Christian discipleship is good followership in relation to the leaders we call and elect.

Beedle is right. Good followership is not submission or blind loyalty. It is thoughtful and responsive. And it is also, as he says, a "discipline." Being a good follower asks something of us.

Often these days, we put such emphasis on leadership that when we get the "leader" we imagine our work is done. Then we're surprised when yet another leader fails to be "the one." Effective leadership involves a partnership of leaders and followers. It involves followers who appreciate the importance and challenge of leadership. It involves followers who are willing to manage their expectations and not insist on their own way.

Just as leadership is something we grow into and grow at, so it is with followership. Jesus' followers, the disciples, weren't always all that good at it. But they kept at it and before long it was their turn to be leaders.

Prayer

We thank you, God, for those who have accepted the task and challenge of leadership in our church. Teach us to be good, wise and mature followers to your glory. Amen.

About the Author Anthony B. Robinson, a United Church of Christ minister, is a speaker, teacher and writer. His newest book is Stewardship for Vital Congregations, published by The Pilgrim Press. Read his weekly reflections on the current lectionary texts at www.anthonybrobinson.com/ by clicking on Weekly Reading.

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