I was seated at a breakfast table with a fairly notable college president and a friend.  A young man who had joined our table that morning was impressed by the opportunity of being there.  He expressed his feelings after being seated, then standing, and then stating . . . .”We are honored to have the opportunity to be with you Dr. (so-in-so)!”

It was but a few moments until the young man posed a question to the college president . . . . “What do you believe is the most important trait that marks a man in a leadership position?”

I was interested in the answer myself!  His answer was . . . . “Loyalty.”

He went on to say a few more words about loyalty, but I was disappointed but not surprised.  The college president had gone through many hard days over the 14 years of leadership, and those loyal to him were much appreciated.  Loyalty meant something to him on a very practical level!

However, it was a wrong answer, and the proof has been seen once again in what is happening in the political world. Here is what you hear said over and over, “Those democrats sure know how to stick together.”  There is a reason for that seeming reality — loyalty to leadership and each other.

When you prioritize ” loyalty, ” there are few causes that one is willing to break ranks over. The notable men of history (who did good) broke ranks for something they believed in more deeply than their personal or corporate relationships. Sooner or later, they had to break ranks because they believed in something greater than loyalty.

When loyalty trumps personally held convictions and/or personal integrity, little to nothing else is worth breaking ranks. As long as loyalty to a person or a party is on top, integrity is sacrificed. We stick together because we are able to hold all convictions loosely. They must be held loosely if one is to be consistently loyal.

Every so often, one or two political leaders break rank with the party and are vilified or even demonized. Why? They could no longer go along to get along, and they violated party loyalty.

If you want to see where the “priority of loyalty” leads, we can see it in the world of politics — a setting aside of personal convictions and integrity.

Men and women of integrity or conviction will sooner or later be forced to break ranks!  “Loyalty” is not an absolute virtue.  It may be a vice because it will side even with evil if not checked by integrity.

We could point to what too often happens in the local church setting, but that’s another story for another time . . . . .or is it?