Acknowledging Hidden Influencers

John 8:31 Then Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, "If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free."  33 They answered him, "We are descendants of Abraham and have never been slaves to anyone. What do you mean by saying, "You will be made free'?"  34 Jesus answered them, "Very truly, I tell you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin.  35 The slave does not have a permanent place in the household; the son has a place there forever.  36 So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed. 

[Today, we honored veterans with music and with prayer for anointing.]

Political freedom is precious. It does not take much reflection on the history of America, as well as that of the world, to understand that freedom is always under attack. America fought for its independence. America also fought a war to end its own failure to value freedom for its own citizens in the civil war. World War II was largely a war to defend democracy and political freedom from the onslaught of fascism. The Cold War was fought to defend freedom from Communism. Today, America faces another threat, that of Political Islam, Militant Islam, or any other name you want to give it. Yes, some people do not treasure freedom. In fact, they want to end it. We always need citizens to defend political freedom.

There are approximately 23.2 million military veterans in the United States, with 476,000 in Indiana

•9.2 million veterans are over the age of 65,

•1.9 million veterans are under the age of 35.

•1.8 million veterans are women.

•7.8 million veterans served during the Vietnam War era (1964-1975), which represents 33% of all living veterans.

•5.2 million veterans served during the Gulf War (representing service from Aug. 2, 1990, to present).

•2.6 million veterans served during World War II (1941-1945).

•2.8 million veterans served during the Korean War (1950-1953).

•6 million veterans served in peacetime.

 

The United States got its start with an all-volunteer military. We went through a period when we needed to draft young men into the service. The All-Volunteer Force in place in the U.S. today, beginning in 1973, relies on men and women to step up and volunteer.  Without volunteers, the system would cease to function and the U.S. would have to rely on a conscription service, denying young men and women the choice of whether or not they serve in the military.  When choosing to volunteer, service members do much more than march off to war to be a hero.  They give up their personal freedom as to where to live. They sacrifice holidays, birthdays, and family milestones for the greater good.  They postpone educational pursuits and professional careers.  They strain family relationships. They forego their personal passions and hobbies for the long hours necessary to ensure that the United States is the most professional and successful fighting force on the planet. They have volunteered to do this. Less than 1% of the population of the U.S. serves in the military.  For every 1 who volunteers, 100 do not have to do so.

That is what I would call a hidden influence on the people of this country. One percent makes it possible for the ninety-nine percent to live as they choose.

 

            An article in the McKinsey Quarterly from March 2014 discusses the importance within organizations of “tapping the power of hidden influencers.” The point in that article was that executives need to find employees who are part of an informal network of individuals who influence attitudes regarding change. Such influence can be positive or negative, of course.

            Finding hidden influencers is a process they call snowball sampling. Start with an interview, and ask that person whom they need to include in a study or change effort. Interview them, and ask them for whom else to talk. The process will continue until the same names start to emerge. Particular individuals will surface, which is the snowball effect.

 

Indeed, informal influencers exist in every organization, across industries, cultures, and geographies. They are, simply put, people other employees look to for input, advice, or ideas about what’s really happening in a company. They therefore have an outsized influence on what employees believe about the future, as well as on morale, how hard people work, and their willingness to support—or resist—change.

 

The "hidden influencer" is the person whose opinions and ideas have an outsized influence on other members of the group. He or she may not be the group's designated leader, but such people are likely the ones who have a significant effect nonetheless on the morale, level of cooperation and outlook within the group.

            We are social creatures. We need to consider the influence we have on the social networks of which we are a part. We need to be part of building healthy and civil communities.

 

Are you a "hidden influencer?"

As we learn in John 8:32-36, people who listen to the word of Jesus and are disciples of Jesus are often hidden influencers. In this case, they experience true freedom by being in relationship with Jesus.

Think of the parable Jesus told in Matthew 25 about the five foolish and five wise people waiting for the arrival of the bridegroom. Who among them was the hidden influencer?

The "wise" group: Do you not suppose there was at least one young woman among the wise group who said, "Aw, come on, we've got enough oil for the party tonight! Let us get going. Party on!" However, they did not listen to her; they listened to another group member whose opinion they valued -- the hidden influencer -- and then they went out and purchased more oil. Thus, all five -- even the one who argued that they did not need more oil -- made it into the wedding feast and Jesus gives them credit for being wise.

The "foolish" group: Likewise, in the foolish group, do you not suppose there was at least one member who said, "You know, I don't think we have enough oil. We need to stop at 7-Eleven and get another jug." Instead, they listened to their "hidden influencer," the bridesmaid who said, "We have plenty." Her word, so valued, although wrong, was the word they went with. Therefore, all five -- even the one who advocated getting more oil -- were shut out of the festivities and Jesus branded them as foolish. 

Churches are the same way. Some people have a hidden influence that permeates throughout the church. They either help the church to move forward or pull the church back.

 

Are you a hidden influencer?

Consider the roles you play in your life. Most of us can think honestly about ourselves for a few minutes at least. Consider the influence you have on those around you. I am going to suggest that all of us have a hidden influence on others. If you have an outsized influence, you need to consider whether it is a positive or negative influence.  Does your influence lift people up to a hopeful place? Does your influence bring people down and bring them to a darker place?

            The word used for leadership by Paul in a list of spiritual gifts, used only in I Corinthians 12:28 in the New Testament, is a word that comes from steering or piloting a ship. One will guide a ship, for example. While an officer will direct the course, someone else on the crew will do the actual steering. If the sailor follows the prescribed course, the influence is helpful and a blessing. If the sailor doing the steering thinks he or she has a better idea, problems will arise.

            Hidden influence is a form of leadership among our social network. Let us make sure that our influence is toward the wisdom that opens people up toward God.

 

            To come back to veterans, think of the way they have influenced your life, and thank them for that. Remember, they have volunteered to do what they do, giving you the freedom to do what you do.

 

Thank a veteran that you knew you would be present for the birth of all your children.

Thank a veteran that you have pursued your educational goals safely and uninterrupted.

Thank a veteran that your biggest stress is not getting your training ride, workout, spin class, yoga, pilates, or run in for the day.

Thank a veteran that you can sit home nights and write.

Thank a veteran that you have pursued a successful professional career.

Thank a veteran that you have the security to be a stay at home parent.

Thank a veteran that you have chosen to make your home close to your, or far from your family, close to the ocean or deep in the mountain… but you choose it.

Thank a veteran that you were able to attend every one of your child’s sporting events, music recitals, spelling bees and parent-teacher conferences.

Thank a veteran that your spouse or partner comes home predictably every day.

Thank a veteran that you have your weekends free.

Thank a veteran that you pursued your passion as an actor, professional athlete, model, musician, or under water basket weaver.