The Foreman is The Leader A.I.M.'s 22nd shot.

Since 1996, SWITCHFOOT (first formed under the name Chin Up), has consistently and creatively called their fans to a deeper, fuller life.  They have enjoyed a fair amount of success in both the Christian & Mainstream music markets.  Last Monday night, my son Graham and I attended our 4th SWITCHFOOT concert together in as many years.  Why do I keep returning to see this band?  Well, the easy, gut level answer is a mash-up & paraphrase of Joan Jett & Donny Osmond sentiments; "I love and am a little bit Rock-n-Roll".  But there are as many Rock bands as there are fake Doctors & Judges on T.V.  What makes me dole out $25 (plus a service fee) for a SWITCHFOOT concert ticket whenever they come to town, and $12.99 - $15.00 for each new CD they create, (plus the price of a Band Aid after trying to open said CD)?  The Answer is simple:  The Foreman is the Leader. 

Jon Foreman faithfully and passionately fulfills the roles of lead singer, prominent songwriter, and guitar player of the band.  During last week's concert, I broke my own rules, and used my BlackBerry (sorry, guy behind me) to make a few notes of some of the leadership attributes I admire in this rocker. Even if Bach does more for you than the Beatles, there are lessons we can all learn from this Leader/Foreman.

1.  There is no barrier between him and "his people".  At a SWITCHFOOT concert, there is no shortage of security, and for the most part, the band is on stage and the crowd is not.  However, Foreman often finds himself right in the middle of the crowd.  With this act, he seems to be saying "I know I'm supposed to be the star of the show, but I'd like some company.  We're in this together."  Good leaders aren't aloof or distant.  They're right in the thick of it all.

2.  His art calls people to a fuller life.  A reoccurring theme in Foreman's writing is that the life we are called to live should be full of LIFE! (John 10:10)  Songs like; "Dare You To Move", "Meant To Live", "This Is Your Life", "New Way To Be Human", &"Thrive" are not your typical self-glorifying rock songs encouraging a life of lies.  Foreman's songs challenge (dare) the listener to really live.

3.  He continues to improve at his craft.  I only jumped on this band's wagon three CDs ago, but it's obvious to me that Foreman and his Band of Brothers (one by blood) are not interested in the perpetuating the status quo, or making mediocre music.  Jon Foreman's songwriting (for SWITCHFOOT as well as for his solo stuff and Fiction Family side-project) improves each year.  Effective leaders grow.

4.  He recognizes and appreciates his "co-workers".  I know, I know, every lead singer introduces the members of her or his band at some point in the concert.  But Jon Foreman introduces his band mates in such a way as to make the crowd believe that he really couldn't do what he does without them.  And it's not just during the introductions that this message comes trough.  Throughout the entire concert he plays off, interacts with, and shares the spotlight with those in the "cubicle" next to his.  Strong leaders let band mates enjoy solos.

5.  He is painfully aware of his imperfections.  Many of Foreman's songs, "Mess Of Me", "Thrive" & "The War Inside" to name a few, make it clear how aware he is that he is a sinner on par with the Apostle Paul who called himself "the chief of sinners".  He artfully lets the ink of his sinful nature spill into his songs, without glorifying his sinful acts.  This doesn’t repel the listener, but compels him or her to tell it like it is and live it like it can be.  Perfect leaders are the worst kind.

6.  He sings the "old stuff", but not at the expense of showcasing the "new stuff".  I could write for hours on this point alone.  Veteran concert-goers will know that a good portion of any crowd only knows and only came to hear the band’s greatest hits.  They may know the band has a new recording out, but they don’t want to hear any of it – and they make their wishes crystal clear (loudly).  Most bands submit to this nonsense.  In contrast, at last year’s SWITCHFOOT concert in SF, they played their new (at the time) CD in its entirety, track by track, in order - Unheard of!  They did play their “hits”, but only after they put their new stuff out there with all they had to give.  In whatever ministry/movement/Church you lead, there are those who only want to hear the classics.  It’s your job to expose them to what’s new.  After all, classics were brand new at some point.

7.  He's generous to those he serves.  At any SWITCHFOOT concert, Jon Foreman giveth and giveth and giveth again.  In Bono-esque fashion, he never seems to tire of singing, communicating, and climbing onto giant speakers – all for those who shelled out their (or their parents’) hard-earned cash for the show.  And speaking of the show…

8.  He puts on a show, but he's not showy.  Jon Foreman is a showman.  He was born to be under the big top, in front of a big crowd, singing about big themes.  And yet, he is at the same time unassuming and down to earth.  After a concert in Santa Cruz last year, two of my kids and I, along with a friend of mine and his girls met Jon Foreman.  He had just rocked the house, and I’m sure he was ready for bed.  However, he was right there in the moment with us, and gave us a great memory, (captured here). 

9.  He loves what he does. (See #1 from A.I.M.'s 21st shot)  There is no doubt that Jon Foreman not only loves Rock-n-Roll, but his band, his fans, and his craft!  He is not just phoning it in.  He is doing not just what he loves, but what makes him (and thousands of OTHERS) really happy.  Another of my favorite writers wrote;

“The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness

and the world’s deep hunger meet.” 

 -Frederick Buechner 

10.  He knows it's bleak, yet he sings songs of hope.  Jon Foreman’s songs avoid any “pie in the sky", sugary, syrupy, sentimental, cliche-ridden trifle.  He writes about loss, pain, sin, tragedy, loneliness, darkness, hatred, evil, injustice, bigotry, poverty, responsibility, redemption, salvation, holiness, joy, laughter, light, and HOPE, always HOPE.  He is not so “heavenly minded that he’s no earthly good”.  But he IS Heavenly minded.  And his songwriting, singing, and band leading all speak to his deep desire for Heaven to breakthrough to the now!

For the uninitiated, here's a link to SWITCHFOOT's web site...
http://www.switchfoot.com/switchfoot/c/index-b

And here's a video for their song The Sound, inspired by Christian Civil Rights activist John M. Perkins;

P.S.  I  Dare You To Move your Corps/ministry/movement/Church from where it is

to where it could be.