The Shepherd and the Wolf

5 The next day the leaders, elders, and legal experts gathered in Jerusalem,6 along with Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, Alexander, and others from the high priest’s family. 7 They had Peter and John brought before them and asked, “By what power or in what name did you do this?”
8 Then Peter, inspired by the Holy Spirit, answered, “Leaders of the people and elders, 9 are we being examined today because something good was done for a sick person, a good deed that healed him? 10 If so, then you and all the people of Israel need to know that this man stands healthy before you because of the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene—whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead. 11 This Jesus is the stone you builders rejected; he has become the cornerstone! 12 Salvation can be found in no one else. Throughout the whole world, no other name has been given among humans through which we must be saved.”
In our house, our kitchen has a dining area, and there is a formal dining area off the living room. Therefore, we do what any millennial/Gen X couple would do: We eat in the kitchen and turned the formal area into our computer “room.” (It’s technically not a room because it spills out into the living.) Anyway, our computers are each against opposing walls. When we are both at home, we talk over our shoulders to ask one another anything.  This is just to give you a mental image.  Acts 4:5-12 CEB

In our house, our kitchen has a dining area, and there is a formal dining area off the living room. Therefore, we do what any millennial/Gen X couple would do: We eat in the kitchen and turned the formal area into our computer “room.” (It’s technically not a room because it spills out into the living.) Anyway, our computers are each against opposing walls. When we are both at home, we talk over our shoulders to ask each other questions.  This little intro is just to give you a mental image.

No joke, this has been our conversations about Reddit:

Husband: “What does TIL mean?”
Me: “Today I learned.”
Husband: “Oh TIL TIL.”

Me: “What does MRW mean?”
Husband: “My reaction when. Does it make sense now?”
Me: “Yep. Now I understand.”

I often wonder, being introduced to the internet when I was 10 (1991 btw), how I was not naturally acclimated to the culture attached to it. After some meditation, I realized I entered the internet when it was only a tool. Even message boards were simply places to post information and get answers to questions. Now it’s a community full of tools. Wait, I didn't mean that how it sounded. (It might be true, but I meant, something else.) Today, we go to the internet to get answers and feedback from a specific community. The community is just as important, maybe more so, than the answers attached to it. For those churches, with all your beautiful website design, if you are still using your internet like a tool, you are failing.

The internet is full of followers and leaders. In the Christian world these really big voices rise from the muck and accept the mantle. Even with people throwing crap their way, they seem to remain clean, until they don’t. When they don't, they fall hard. (It seems it doesn't matter which religious sect they are part of, if they are on the internet they fall hard.) Then the followers spend a couple of weeks trying to figure out what went wrong, before moving on to the next glorious leader.

How does someone on the internet find a leader worth following? That’s the question worth answering. There are many who are drooling for the opportunity to pick up that mantle. How do we pick out the shepherds among the wolves? I say, give them the Peter test:

1.  The focus is on the action: Notice Peter’s words, “[A]re we being examined today because something good was done for a sick person, a good deed that healed him?” Notice he doesn't say, “Are we here today because of something I did?”  The focus goes to the mission, not the person. That is a sign of a good leader. When they speak about the ministry they are talking about the mission over and above their selves. 
2. The power is given to God: Once again, notice Peter’s words, “If so, then you and all the people of Israel need to know that this man stands healthy before you because of the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene—whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead. This Jesus is the stone you builders rejected; he has become the cornerstone! Salvation can be found in no one else. Throughout the whole world, no other name has been given among humans through which we must be saved.” 
   
   Peter was a nickname, meaning Rock. Jesus gave it to him. Yet, here we have Peter calling Jesus the cornerstone. More than anyone else, Peter had room to suggest his actions played a part in the man’s healing. Instead, he gives the power to Jesus Christ.
    
   This is another sign of a good leader. When they pinpoint where the power comes from, it is always from God.

Consider these two things when the next internet leader rises from the crap. Is she/he focusing on the mission? Is God the fount where the power comes from? If either of these answers are “no” tread carefully. You might have a wolf in your midst.

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