In what ways are memories important to a leader’s effectiveness? - Memories - TouchPoints

Joshua 4:4-7So Joshua called together the twelve men he had chosen—one from each of the tribes of Israel. He told them, “Go into the middle of the Jordan, in front of the Ark of the Lord your God. Each of you must pick up one stone and carry it out on your shoulder—twelve stones in all, one for each of the twelve tribes of Israel. We will use these stones to build a memorial. In the future your children will ask you, ‘What do these stones mean?’ Then you can tell them, ‘They remind us that the Jordan River stopped flowing when the Ark of the Lord’s Covenant went across.’ These stones will stand as a memorial among the people of Israel forever.”

Joel 1:2-3Hear this, you leaders of the people. Listen, all who live in the land. In all your history, has anything like this happened before? Tell your children about it in the years to come, and let your children tell their children. Pass the story down from generation to generation.

One of the leader’s most significant roles is keeping “the story” alive. Leaders tell the stories of a family’s history, of the founding of a community, a business, or a congregation. They tell the stories of the great times and the hard times, so that those they lead have a sense of history and an appreciation of all that has come before. These memories remind people of the essential purpose and values that energize and guide the group. Even as Israel kept memorial stones to remind them of God’s faithfulness, so leaders can watch for tangible ways to keep memories alive.