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In college, 13 years ago, I had to read
a book by Leonard Sweet.
I didn't like it.
Actually, my classmates and I mocked
it. I think the only one in the class who like it was the professor.
Many of us vowed to never read another book by Sweet.
You could say that I lacked a Sweet
tooth.*
Recently, I was at a pastor's
conference where I would be seeing some old classmates. I had just
picked up my review copy of “I Am A Follower: the way, truth, and
live of following Jesus” by Leonard Sweet. I had to not only
confess that I broke my vow, but that I was really enjoying it.
I think what I enjoyed most was the
different take on leadership it provided. As a pastor the second
statement of my job description begins, “To provide leadership...”
It is my job to lead. There are scores of books out there to help me
in my role as leader, but Sweet comes along and draws the attention
back to what it means to be called by Jesus. The reader is reminded
that the apostles were all called not be be great and might leaders,
but to follow Jesus. Then on page 21 Sweet reminds us that: “The
Jesus paradox is that only Christians lead by following.”
I will best fulfill my role as leader
by following Jesus.
There is an incredible sense of freedom
in that: in remembering that it is Jesus' ministry, and these are
Jesus' people.
So like Paul I need to be saying
“Follow me as I follow Christ.” Or perhaps better yet, “Let's
all follow Christ together.”
The rest of the book is about what it
means, and how to, follow Jesus. It's about a setting right of our
perspective of what it means to be the church.
I've already recommended it to others,
and will continue to do so. I think the church needs to understand
that we are to follow Jesus and Jesus alone.
Disclosure
of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher
through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com>
book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive
review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing
this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part
255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html>
: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in
Advertising.”
* If there is a Leonard Sweet fan club
I highly encourage them to be known as Sweet tooths if they are not
already. That would be a killer name for fans of his writing.
3 comments:
I think 'serving' is a much better term considering Jesus' condemnation of leaders 'leading' versus serving and his take on the Pharisees who loved the chief seats.
mark s., just want to clarify, serving is better than leading or following? the way I read your comment, I got that you were saying that serving is better than leading. If that's so, I'd have to agree. Jesus says that his followers are to be servants of all. However, my job description uses the language of leadership. As I did not write the job description, and I am not in a position to change it, the JD will continue to use the language of leadership. However, that doesn't mean I neglect serving.
Great review, Chris. Funny comment about the 'sweet tooth.' I played off his name in a similar way in my review of Viral a couple of weeks ago here: http://wp.me/p2iZDp-WI Thanks for sharing!
Blessings!
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