Are You In A Tribe?

Have you heard the term, Tribe? A tribe is a group of enthusiastic people who are excited about going in a common direction. Martin guitar owners are a tribe. IPad users are a large tribe, but most tribes are a lot smaller.
Seth Godin wrote of tribes in his book of that title. His insight is that people connect as movements when a couple of things happen – when there is a distinct, shared contagious idea present AND when a leader emerges to head the tribe. His observation is that a tribe emerges when as few as 1,000 people are united around a common cause and a common leader emerges.

Once upon a time, it was difficult for a tribe to exist because communication was very difficult. Janie, my wife, was a Monkees fan when she was in junior high school and certainly, there was a thriving tribe going with that pop group in the late 1960s, but it was cumbersome for their fans to connect other than for a few friends to gather together with their 45 rpm records to have listening parties. Things are different now. We can connect instantly through Twitter or through blog postings. Those same junior high girls are now middle-aged moms (and grandmas) who are still excited about Davey and the rest of the guys but now they can connect with the many thousands of other crazed fans who crave a Monkee fix via one of their many annual regional concerts.

What does it take to create a tribe today? Two things really:

1. An amazing, contagious idea.

2. Someone with great courage and commitment to lead those who resonate with that idea wherever they may be found.

Looking for a tribe? I have a great one. Join me as we shake things up and serve our way into the heart of our culture with the love of God.

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