Anthony B. Robinson is an ordained United Church of Christ pastor who currently serves as President of Congregational Leadership Northwest, and who has written several books including Changing the Conversation: A Third Way for Congregations (2008 – read my review here). His article in the January 11, 2012 edition of the Christian Century highlights five ways people can be good followers:
- Good followers recognize that leadership is necessary, important and difficult work.
- Good followers share a commitment to a larger congregational purpose or mission and the priorities derived from it.
- Good followers cultivate relationship and trust.
- Good followers practice the art of learning and giving good feedback.
- Good followers keep boundaries (p.30-33).
So What?
While a great deal is written about leadership in general and in the church specifically, relatively little is written about folllowership. What does your congregation do that empowers people to follow well? Using the five areas outlined above, how well are you doing in your role as a follower within the context of your local congregation?