Leader vs. Target

What's the difference between a Leader and a Target?

A Leader is one step ahead of people. As soon as we get two steps ahead, we become targets!

If we are going to effectively impact our culture with truth, we need to communicate messages that are one step ahead of where people are. Then, they will listen, and be willing to dialogue further. Unfortunately, much of the communication from Christians to the non-believing world is five or ten steps ahead of where people are, so we unnecessarily become targets of criticism, ridicule and persecutiion.

The ECCLESIASTES by Solomon book was designed to be one step ahead of where people are in their current thinking. They are willing to dialogue about "meaning in life," but not about "Jesus." From that dialogue, discussions can quickly move to deeper issues. One man gave the book to a 70 year old atheist friend of his, and received an 8 page letter in reply. That has led to six more letters being written between the two men, each discussing spiritual issues. These men have been friends for 35 years, and this is the first time they've been able to discuss deep issues of life and faith. It all started with a "one-step-ahead" message that struck a responsive chord. In my last conversation with the man who gave the book, he said, "I think I've hit a break-through!"