The first presentation this morning was from a pastor encouraging us to consider what it means to be a "third culture leader." These are leaders willing to painfully adapt to other cultural groups as ever is necessary. Gibbons argued these leaders are different in three distinct ways...First of all, they are focused on the fringe people. They understand it is from the fringe where most change comes and so they are very intentional about connecting with these folks.
Secondly, they have a completely different matrix of success. They are not obsessively focused on the "upward and rightward" models of leadership success. They allow weakness to guide them as much or more than strength. Their focus on relationships frequently trump their concern for vision. They are willing to change their priorities to accommodate what they believe truly matters.
Third and finally, third culture leaders understand obedience is more important than passion. They are more committed to being obedient than being passionately influential. Gibbon suggested four necessary expressions of this obedience. Third culture leaders are committed to a deeper collaboration, more significantly communal living, prayer and the power of the Holy Spirit and radical sacrifices on behalf of those outside the church.
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