Christ-20!

The Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me..."

 The Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 16, verse 24 

Today and tomorrow I'm spending my workday at the Global Leadership Summit hosted by the Willow Creek Association.

When I told Charlie about it the conversation went something like this...

E: Oh, by the way, you don't have to drive me to work on Thursday and Friday.  I'm going to this 'Global Leadership Summit.'
C: What is that, like a G-20 Summit, but for non-profits?
E: No, it's actually like a Christian leadership conference.
C: Oh.  So it's like a Christ-20 Summit.
E: I'm totally calling it that now.

I've been highly skeptical of the whole ordeal - although I am intrigued by some of the speakers (Michelle Rhee, Howard Schultz included).

I think the crux of my skepticism lies in the title of the event.  Global Leadership Summit.  It's not just an issue I have with this summit.  I felt this frustration during the 'Teaching as Leadership' workshops with Teach for America and throughout college extracurriculars.  My criticism lies in our society's idolatry and obsession with leadership.

Leaders are placed on a pedestal.  Leadership courses pervade almost every professional development curriculum.  Leadership has been set as the watermark of achievement for most employees across the majority of work sectors.

Now, of course I don't think there's anything wrong with training good leaders.  I recognize the high value and importance of raising up strong management.  However, my bigger question is...

...what of the followers?  What of focusing on right living instead of taking command?

As mentioned, I am deeply appreciative of a sound, capable superior.  In spite of the leadership frenzy, I think the number of solid leaders are very few and far between in all aspects of society.  I also recognize that we all lead and all follow in different seasons, and that we are often in a position where following and leading run together concurrently in our roles in life.

However I think there's some level of sickness and perversion of reality and responsibility when we berate everyone with messages to 'lead' and encourage no one to 'follow responsibly.'  I think this distortion of focus permeates the Church, political system and society as a whole in our country.

What of the idea of a Global Follower Summit, instead?

Sign me up.