In but not out...

"We need a preacher who can really bring the people in."

"If people leave when the preacher leaves they are following the wrong person."

I think it is interesting to juxtapose these two statements. If you've been around the church for a while you've probably heard some statements closely resembling these. I once said to an elder who made two statement similar to those above that "I guess it's okay to follow him (the preacher) in as long as you don't follow him out!" I don't think he got it. We apparently approve of "preacher following" when the followers come to & give at "our church." However, if the preacher leaves and they do too....well they were just "preacher followers!" Oh, the irony of it all!