Lost on Leadership

If you have been one of the few (such as myself, until recently) that have not seen ABC's show "Lost" then you may not want to read this (that means you, Aaron!). If you have, though, you know full well how engaging this show can be. One of the best things about the show is the character development, especially that of the island's leaders:

First, there is Jack. Jack is a surgeon, a leader first-rate. He is a man of science and reason. He relies on sheer will and determination. He is the first leader to emerge. Why? His skills were needed. As soon as the plane hit and bodies were strewn about the beach, he was instantly put to work saving lives. Due to his knowledge and skill, he rose to the top first with all eyes to him on basic decisions. For every decision, there is an obvious set of reasons. For every plan, there is a well thought out strategy. Sometimes this leads him to be at odds with people, namely those that feel he uses more of his left brain than his right. Why only do things based upon reason alone?

Another leader proves to be John Locke. Locke is a man that was once paralyzed from the waist down until hitting the island. In keeping with his miraculous healing, Locke is a man of faith and therefore the complete opposite to Jack. Locke makes decisions more on gut instinct, not reason. He may not be able to tell you why he thinks it's best to do something -- he just knows it is. Such irrational explanations drive Jack insane, as does Jack's left brain only decision making, macho man-strategy style to Locke.

Like oil and water, these two go head to head on numerous issues over time. And of course, there are times where one is right and the other is wrong... seemingly somewhat equally. Each one makes decisions were someone dies or is saved.

Not surprisingly, when the two become at odds with each other rather than choosing to work together, the enemy (known as "the Others" on the island) is able to do his bidding without notice. Jack and Locke are too busy worrying about each other and focused on their own distrust to see that the enemy has begun to use this division as a strategy against them both.

A house divided against itself shall not stand.

Interesting, isn't it, that we all have two hemispheres in the brain? Each one covers it's own purpose for being: one generally for reason and the other generally for creative thinking. If one were to operate without the other, a human would be inoperable. The right brain cannot say to the left, "I have no use for you. You're not creative enough. Take your spreadsheets, metric conversion tables, and science and get the heck out of here!" Neither can the left brain say to the left: "I have no use for you. Your dreaming amounts to nothing! You are all talk, and no action. Away with your fantasy world and hit the real world, buddy!" No... that would be silly. Instead, together, these two work together in our bodies to offer us balance. Surely, we each lean one way over the other with all sorts of nuisances in between... yet it remains true that without both we would be rather one-deminsional people.

However, in the world of leadership in the church today (yes... I know... a REALLY broad statement), we carry the same divisions armed with lighted torches and pitchforks -- rallying to our beloved side of things, rarely considering the other worth the time. Though Jack and Locke make somewhat poor illustrations for leadership in the church, the point of connection is still there... there are many more concerned about getting the theology right that they forget to LIVE it right. Likewise, there are many so concerned about living it that they forget the very roots from where their faith comes from: the Bible and the torch of right theology through the ages. Both camps have a lot to offer... and both camps, left out of check with one another, leads to destruction.

Beware of anyone that considers another brother or sister in Christ's voice not worth listening to any longer. BEWARE, and do not be party to his or her crusade. For such a person prepares the way for the enemy to come unannounced into the camp. Given time, the fruit of such action will become evident. It always leads to division, distrust, and destruction.

At the end of Season 2 (yes, I am addicted!), that exactly what we find... leaving me to wonder what Season 3 will bring. Will these two mend their ways and learn to lean on one another? Or will their separation be complete. Thank God the ending of our story here as the church is assured (and we are able to do more than stick in a DVD and watch it; we are a part of it now!).