I love the people in my inner circle right now.
I like them and trust them too.
You need to be able to say the same thing.

Because of the way I’m wired as a leader, and because of some past experiences (I’ll be more specific about this some other time), loyalty is more important to me than any other single factor in deciding who to really let into my life.

I mean die hard loyalty. I give it, and I require it of my staff and close friends.

This concept is often met with an argument:
“So you just want to be surrounded by a bunch of yes men?”

I’m not sure how to answer that.
If the opposite of a yes man is a no man, then the answer is yes, man.
(Sorry, couldn’t resist.)

I want people around me who say yes to the freakish possibilities that God has laid on our hearts.
People who will cut off Malchus’ ear in the garden rather than just standing by and watching the enemy attack. After all, Jesus can put the ear back on if they made a mistake. At least they were willing to fight.
People who get a gleam in their eye and a twitch in their leg, and who bob their heads when I’m passionately describing what I think God wants to do next.
Not people who stare out the window thinking about lunch.

People who will also challenge me appropriately if I’m settling for less than God’s best for our church and in my life.

People who will cover me when the bullets are flying.

The story of Elevation so far is the story of this kind of people.

To all leaders: Where are your peeps? Who are your peeps?
Do they have your back?
Do they really?
If yes, treasure them and bless them.
If no, confront them and remove them. Now. Life’s too short.

To all my peeps: Thanks for having my back. Thanks for blocking for me, even when I don’t know about it.
I’ve got you covered too.