What is a “Heretic”? According to Dictionary.com, it is:

1. A professed believer who maintains religious opinions contrary to those accepted by his or her church or rejects doctrines prescribed by that church.
2. Roman Catholic Church. a baptized Roman Catholic who willfully and persistently rejects any article of faith.
3. Anyone who does not conform to an established attitude, doctrine, or principle.

I was familiar with the first definition from the above list . Growing up in a pastors home, hearing about “heretics” was not uncommon…particularly being exposed to a very legalistic denomination. I also remember the second definition from my world history classes in school. They used to burn heretics at the stake or put them on the racks…DANG…I would not have wanted to be considered a heretic in those days…OUCH!

But today is a different story. The 3rd definition now has new meaning to me since reading TRIBES by Seth Godin.

According to Mr. Godin (that really makes him sound old)….

a. Heretics are the new leaders. The ones who challenge the status quo, who get in front of their tribes, who create movements.
b. Heretics don’t settle
c. Heretics have a plan
d. Heretics must believe
e. Heretics….actively talk themselves out of fear.

I want to be that kind of heretic (especially if there are no floggings, stakes to be burned at and the like).

What does that look like for you?

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