I love this so much, Mike! Please write that book! Followers are under-rated and under-valued, but where would good leaders be without good followers? By the way, several years ago, my husband also retired as sr. pastor after 32 years, and we have stayed on at our church as well. The transition wasn't easy, but the new pastor and leadership were all on board, and it has been so good for us and for the church.
Mike, well said. My only comment is that you might be able to take the pastor/shepherd out of the pulpit, but you can't take the shepherds heart out of the pastor. It will always be there. If there is one thing that remains after someone leaves the "role" of pastor, is the shepherds heart of the pastor. The sheep will always see you as a shepherd, because what you deposited in them was not the "role" but the shepherds heart. The shepherds heart is still desperately needed regardless of your role as follower or leader! You might have left your role, but you didn't leave your calling.
I love this so much, Mike! Please write that book! Followers are under-rated and under-valued, but where would good leaders be without good followers? By the way, several years ago, my husband also retired as sr. pastor after 32 years, and we have stayed on at our church as well. The transition wasn't easy, but the new pastor and leadership were all on board, and it has been so good for us and for the church.
Mike, well said. My only comment is that you might be able to take the pastor/shepherd out of the pulpit, but you can't take the shepherds heart out of the pastor. It will always be there. If there is one thing that remains after someone leaves the "role" of pastor, is the shepherds heart of the pastor. The sheep will always see you as a shepherd, because what you deposited in them was not the "role" but the shepherds heart. The shepherds heart is still desperately needed regardless of your role as follower or leader! You might have left your role, but you didn't leave your calling.
Maybe you should write that book on followership from this new perspective. 😉
Thank you Mike
Follower ship is a whole subject in itself.