A Book Review for Follow Me to Freedom

           John and Shane are two leaders who have been through many struggles, have devoted their lives to creating a better world, and have come from different backgrounds to share their lessons learned with us through a genuine, heart-felt conversation.  It is easy to hear their love and respect for each other as they discuss the blessings and struggles of leadership.  Their story shows another side of leadership: one beyond that of leadership within the school walls.  Their story shares the grit, tears, and realities of leadership within communities.  These communities have been through disasters, riots, and storms, but have also come together with prayer, love, and support to build something better.

            The vision that is carried throughout the book is looking toward Christ for our vision.  If we “align our particular vision with God’s Word” (loc. 836), we can feel secure that we are leading in accordance with His will.  Our vision also must come, not from arrogance, but from our “experience and woundedness” (loc. 1108).  If it comes from arrogance or pridefulness, Shane warns, “we cannot just be in love with the big vision; we have to love the people around us” (loc. 2609).  Through love for others and prayer for guidance, our vision will guide us closer to Him through our lives.

            As we lead, others are following us.  This book shows us that we must choose carefully who we follow and, again, ensure that they are looking toward Christ as the ultimate example.  Christ taught his disciples to “quietly make friends with people” (loc. 424).  If we become friends with our followers, stop seeking glory for our works and accomplishments, and instead promote God and his grace, others will want to join with us to get closer to Him. Shane uses Christ and his disciples as an excellent example for us.  The disciples were ordinary men. “He teaches the disciples to offer what little they have and promises that when we do that, there will be enough” (loc. 1289).   

            One of the greatest themes running through this book is how to be the leader Christ believes we can be.  “All it takes is the humility to recognize that we all have something to teach, and we all have something to learn” (loc. 1109).  If we remember that simple truth, then we can stay balanced between knowing that God has a plan for us and realizing that we are a small piece of an even bigger plan that encompasses so much more than our vision for ourselves. 

Resources:

Clairborne, S., & J. M. Perkins (2009) Follow Me To Freedom: Leading and Following as an Ordinary Radical. Ventura: Regal. Kindle edition.

Follow me to...

One of our ACU texts is Follow Me to Freedom.  Each week, we have to reflect on what we read there.  This week talked about the early leaders of the Bible.  Where am I leading?  In school, I'm leading the teachers as a coach and colleague.  At home, I'm leading my kids to see God's love for us, Christ's love for mankind, and how we can live our lives as a reflection of that love.  This blog?  I'm not sure.  I know that it is a part of the life that God is preparing me for with every class, every assignment, and every experience. 

 Let's travel there together... 

·         Vision – I know that God has a plan for me, and I see every day that His vision for me is much greater than my own.  Living in His plan, I have to remember that even though He has placed me in a leadership position, I still have so much to learn. 

·         Leading – I need to lead with humility, compassion, and with a vision I share with those around me.  If I want our campus to be one that is positive and caring, then I will surround myself with people who have a positive outlook and open heart.  I will also do my best to help whoever needs me.  If this means teaching lessons, writing lesson plans, or supergluing poker chips, I’ll help get it done.  It also means that my best-laid plans (Ha!!!) will be interrupted by the needs of my colleagues, friends, and students. 

·         Following – I know the path I’m on won’t be roses, and I’m going to have to get over my constant need for approval.  However, I also know that there are so many things I have to learn.  I want to follow those that will help me get closer to being more Christ-like.  I want to turn away from the negativity and back-biting to follow the Friend that is Jesus. 

On a side note – My homework assignments were interrupted this week by the promise I made to my eight-year-old daughter.  She wanted to be a musketeer, and I promised to make her a costume when we couldn’t find one.  10 hours of sewing, deconstructing, pinning, ripping, etc., and she has a musketeer costume that won second place in a costume contest earlier tonight.  Reading the chapters about interruptions is so timely for me in working with a family, a full-time job, and my graduate classes.  I’ve realized that I’m going to be interrupted, and then I can pick up where I left off later.  It will all get done in the end…