Now look. The LORD has kept me alive, exactly as he promised. It is forty-five years since the LORD spoke about this to Moses. It was while Israel was journeying in the desert. Now look. Today I’m 85 years old. I’m just as strong today as I was the day Moses sent me out. My strength then was as my strength is now, whether for war or for everyday activities. So now, give me this highland that the LORD promised me that day. True, the Anakim are there with large fortified cities, as you yourself heard that day. But if the LORD is with me, I should be able to remove them, exactly as the LORD promised.”
So Joshua blessed him. He gave Hebron to Caleb, Jephunneh’s son, as a legacy. So Hebron still belongs to Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite as a legacy today. This was because he remained loyal to the LORD God of Israel. (Joshua 14:10-14 CEB)

That’s Caleb, 85 years old after 45 years of war asking for the land that he was promised. Caleb is 20 years past retirement. Asking Joshua that having conquered everywhere else if he could please take the hardest place in the land as his own. With the belief that he is still strong enough whether it be for war or everyday activities Caleb is willing and ready to take what he was promised.

More than leaving a mark, greater than an impact. Caleb is looking to leave a legacy. The reason he is able to leave this legacy is purely because Caleb has been “loyal to the God of Israel.”

It’s a wonderful reminder that you a never too old to be loyal to God. Never too old to do something remarkable. Perhaps it’s the 45 years of loyalty to the mission of Jesus that makes you the perfect person to take the fortified highlands.

Oh it was with excited anticipation that I got a hold of this book. Excited at the prospect that someone somewhere was discussing the idea of followership in depth. To say this is a statement against leadership is an understatement, this is a full blown assault on everything wrong with leadership and a suggested alternative, followership.

After an extended introduction which highlights all the issues with leadership culture (and there is a few!) Sweet then maps out a better alternative leveraging 3 key umbrella areas, we are called to be followers of ‘the way’, ‘the truth’ and ‘the life’. My book is littered with highlights of interesting ideas and insights. I particularly liked his insights related to “the wayfarers …” and he had some quality insights moving us in the truth, I especially like the chapter titled “strengths to weaknesses” which had some brilliant insights on flipping the idea of leadership.

The book is rather abrasive, much like sandpaper on wood. It’ll scratch your notion of leadership, perhaps revealing a better and deeper truth. While I don’t necessarily agree with everything Sweet says he had put together an excellent response to leaderhship and an insightful alternative. I can’t help but get a sense that this book leads us down the avenue of “small church” over “big church” commenting on insights from Frost and Hirsch who seem to be the key advocates of “small church/missional” living.

My biggest issue is Sweet leaves no room for any leadership ideas what-so-ever because he cannot find any biblical grounding we end up at a place where we a discipled by living together. With a complete rebellion against anything that looks like structure or hierarchy. I do to a certain extent agree that there is some overt professionalism creeping in where the meek and weak tred, I just don’t agree with the complete sway the other way. Eventually your movement is going to require some planning and management when it gets big enough….nearly every movement that gets huge ends up with structure.

Don’t dismiss this book because I don’t agree with his conclusions, it is really well researched and constructed providing a valuable challenge to leadership culture. We need more books like this one!

Almighty team!

This is those of you who want to partner with me in something. I wrote a Masters Thesis on Social Media and the Church. I want to turn it into a short 10,000 word e-book that I can place up on ibooks for anyone to download. Right now it is probably still a little bit academic, and a little boring. So I thought I might actually do what I talk about in the book. I am thinking about a little collaborative design and innovation. So I am giving away the book right now (in beta) for free. If you are interested in reading on the value for Social media and the church, or you are interested in helping me edit this thing (indie style baby!) to a place where I could accept it as publishable! Download it and check it out. In the final run I’ll dedicate the book to my team of tech savvy editors.

Here is a brief to help catch the vision….

“Social Media and the Church is a short but well informed mini-book designed to give Pastor’s who don’t know much about social media, or who are yet to catch the vision some insight, direction and help on what it is all about. It briefly outlines some of the giants of social media as well as the impact on culture. It then takes a look at the value both theologically and socially for the church to engage in social media. The goal is to develop and attitude that this might be a valuable tool for the church (if you aren’t already using it!). Even if you know all this you might learn some new facts on Social Media.”

***Sorry I’ve pulled the book for the time being!*** Thanks for all the feedback it is going to be HUGE! It looks like there is potential that we are going to develop this into a full book which is really sweet. Stay tuned for more details!