In the 1910s and 1920s, four of the most influential figures of their era—Henry Ford, Thomas Edison, Harvey Firestone, and John Burroughs—began taking yearly camping trips together. They called themselves “The Vagabonds.”
Imagine it: the man who perfected the assembly line, the genius of electric light, the tire magnate, and a famous naturalist all piling into fragile early automobiles, loading camping gear, and setting out on back roads through the Alleghenies or the Adirondacks. They were accompanied by cooks and drivers, yes—but they also chopped wood, pitched tents, swapped stories, and cooked over open fires.
These weren’t just vacations. They were experiments in discovery. Ford tested how his cars held up on mountain roads. Edison tinkered with portable lighting and small-scale power. Burroughs lectured them on the importance of nature, and they listened—even when it made them uncomfortable. Around the campfire, they debated politics, science, faith, and the future.
For those of us entrusted with leading faith communities, the Vagabonds’ story holds some wisdom. It will not surprise anyone that churches today are traveling through unfamiliar terrain, marked by cultural shifts and changing patterns of belief and belonging. Like those early travelers, we cannot rely on well-paved highways or the usual conversation partners to get where we need to go. We must be willing to take back roads, try new experiments in unlikely company, and see what holds.
The call of Abraham, like so much of scripture, foreshadows the Vagabonds’ journeys.
The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.
2 “I will make you into a great nation,
and I will bless you;
I will make your name great,
and you will be a blessing.
3 I will bless those who bless you,
and whoever curses you I will curse;
and all peoples on earth
will be blessed through you.”
– Genesis 12:1-3
Which, of course, is echoed in Hebrews:
By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to set out for a place that he was to receive as an inheritance, and he set out, not knowing where he was going. 9 By faith he stayed for a time in the land he had been promised, as in a foreign land, living in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. 10 For he looked forward to the city that has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.
– Hebrews 11:8-10
What does this mean for your church board?
Leadership means testing in real conditions.
Ford and Edison didn’t just theorize in offices. They tried things out on the open road. In the same way, church boards cannot confine leadership to committee rooms. We must test ideas in the life of the congregation and the life of the community—piloting new forms of worship, experimenting with community partnerships, creating new spaces for service, prayer and story-telling.
Joy belongs at the center of discovery.
The Vagabonds laughed, sang, and marveled at the stars. They approached the unknown with playfulness as much as seriousness. Too often, church leadership carries the weight of anxiety. But the call to follow Christ is not just heavy obligation—it is also joy, wonder, and freedom. Can we lead with a spirit of curiosity and delight, not just duty?
Don’t be afraid of what you don’t know.
These giants of industry sat around a fire, admitted ignorance, and learned from one another. Our congregations need us to admit we don’t have all the answers. Leadership is not about certainty; it’s about faithfulness, openness, and the willingness to say, “Let’s discover this together.”
Invite different voices into the journey.
Burroughs wasn’t a businessperson like the others. As a naturalist, he brought an entirely different perspective and helped his companions see the world anew. The church thrives when its leaders invite in diverse voices—those from outside the inner circle, those who see what we cannot see. Fresh vision often comes from the margins.
Abraham and Sarah, along with the Vagabonds, remind us that leadership is not just about guiding people safely down well-worn paths. It is also about the courage to leave the highway, the humility to ask new questions, and the joy of finding God’s presence in unexpected company and places.
When in your own life have you taken to back roads, literally or metaphorically? What propelled you there? What did you learn?
What strikes you most about the story of the Vagabonds?
What strikes you most about the story told in Hebrews 11:8-10?
Which of the four leadership lessons named above is most challenging for your church board to live out? Can you say why?
Which of the four leadership lessons is most pressing for your church board to start practicing now? Can you say why?
What is one step toward practicing that leadership lesson that you could take at your next church board meeting?
No Comments