Are you a Believer, or are you a Follower?

Good Wednesday morning, Servant Leader. This week I saw a post by Paul Neuberger that challenged me. It was an AI-generated image with two sides. The left side held a street sign pointing “Believers” to the wide road, which many chose. But the right side held a similar street sign pointing “Followers” to the narrow road – and few chose that road. That’s what struck me.

They are not the same.

As Mr. Neuberger eloquently stated by quoting James…

You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! (James 2:19, NKJV)

Being a believer is one thing, but the Bible is replete with cautions about stopping there. Earlier in James, we’re told…

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. (James 1:22, NKJV)

Matthew warns of an even greater risk.

Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall. (Matt 7:24-27, NKJV)

But what does it mean to truly be a follower of Christ?

Well…

…let’s put it in simple business terms.

How many of us believe Shipley’s 99 steps are the most effective process to secure a win in GovCon?

How many of us follow all 99 steps?

You see, Servant Leader, it’s one thing to believe in Shipley (or Lohfeld, or Miller Heiman) is the best process, but it’s something else entirely to follow Shipley. I, myself, have described our process as Shipley (-/+) or “Shipley Minus Reinforced”. I’ve added to it for areas that Shipley didn’t foresee and I’ve taken away from it parts I didn’t think our business needed at the time. I can do that with Shipley.

But I cannot do that as a Servant Leader who believes in and follows the Word of God. (Deuteronomy 4:2, 12:32; Proverbs 30:5-6).

Here’s some practical wisdom for every level of your servant leadership walk on this Wednesday.

1.      As an entry level leader, have you surrounded yourself with Godly mentors and counselors? Have you determined to serve them as much as they serve you?

2.      As a mid-tier leader or manager, are you independently contributing to your team to meet their needs where they are, or are you requiring them to meet you in your place as you exercise your authority?

3.      As a senior leader, have you built a team that is hands off – one that doesn’t require your daily attention – or have you built a team eager to be mentored, taught, and served? Are you serving them with the goal of replacing yourself?

You see, Servant Leader, being a follower of Christ requires us to sacrifice self for Him, to trade today’s comfort for eternity’s promises, and to serve every neighbor however that looks.

Because, as Paul Neuberger pointed out in his post, even the demons believe and tremble. But followers believe and serve.

(Keep serving, Paul. We’re watching and learning!)

Image generated by Copilot with inputs from Paul Neuberger's post.