Prophet and Loss: Embracing Grief, Nurturing Resilience, and Harnessing Authentic Leadership
Ebook
Being a mission-driven leader is hard. Being a mission-driven leader who knows how to navigate the emotions of loss and grief connected to leadership is harder still. It takes a vulnerable leader to lead well--one who has faced into their own losses and can let those losses equip their character for God's greater plans. Not all leaders are willing. Not all leaders are able. Yet, according to David Woolverton, leaders' vulnerability to the emotional processes of grief is essential for the overall health of the organizations they lead and for the well-being--and discipleship--of those under their direction.
Grief, he says, is best viewed as a mosaic, where each of our significant losses forms a constellation of tiles that, when seen together over time, helps tell a story of God's redemptive love, grace, and mission--a story desperately needed within today's post-pandemic angst. Using Elisabeth Kubler-Ross's five stages of grief (denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance) as a guide, along with five biblical prophet "mentors," Woolverton presents five strategies to equip pastors and leaders in negotiating with their losses to attain organizational resilience, sustainability, and vibrancy.
“An exhausting challenge of pastoring is carrying the weight of leadership while experiencing personal loss. You must shepherd through the pain when it comes. How can you do so in a healthy way? In Prophet and Loss, David Woolverton writes an excellent guide for church leaders who want to understand how God redeems grief for his purposes. This book will lighten the load for many who feel the weight of grief.”
—Sam Rainer, president, Church Answers
“Prophet and Loss challenges me to think in new ways about leadership. With his characteristic candor, humor, and humility, David Woolverton draws from personal experience and from the lives of biblical prophets to dissect the critical roles of grief and loss in the leader’s journey. This book will inspire you to lead, but not before first requiring you to take a hard look in the mirror, to make a realistic appraisal of what likely lies ahead, and to prepare for some wrestling.”
—Rob Skacel, founder, True Edge Performance Solutions
“David Woolverton’s Prophet and Loss is a unique and powerful exploration, if not personal examination, on grief in one’s life and organization. It is both honest and hopeful as it encourages the leader to navigate the contours of loss wisely and intentionally. Through the lens of Jesus and the prophets, he unpacks how to embrace grief in a way that nurtures healing and more authentic leadership.”
—Kevin Gushiken, director of PhD in leadership program, Lancaster Bible College
“This important book, so full of insight, wisdom, and tenderness, will help leaders develop a broader theology of grief, a greater appreciation for the biblical prophets and their function among us today, and possibly do more to realign our mission to reach others for the gospel of Christ than just about anything I can personally think of.”
—Alisa Bair, author of Grief Is a Dancer
“I am grateful for this book and for Pastor David Woolverton’s willingness to reflect on the most painful organizational losses from a grounded perspective of faith, hope, and love to equip organizational expansion. His creative imagination of the prophetic journey and his great love for Jesus embolden readers to take heart that when they grieve, they are walking in prophetic heritage and are never forsaken in the unfolding plan for us within the kingdom of God.”
—Dustin Risser, author of Creativity, Theology, and Posttraumatic Growth: The Sacred Impulse of Play and Transformation out of Tragedy
“In Prophet and Loss, David Woolverton masterfully addresses the deeply complex topic of dealing personally with, as well as leading others through, the life-altering impact of grief. With the goal of helping leaders lead their people and organizations through change and loss, he dives deeply into this sometimes overlooked, or intentionally avoided, challenge. The daunting task of walking and leading through grief, though never easy, is infused with encouraging wisdom and hope in this wonderfully perceptive book.”
—Michael Christian Shaw, author of Faithful Are the Wounds: A Memoir
“In 2 Corinthians 4:7, Paul writes, ‘We have this treasure in jars of clay” (ESV). As we live the wonderful life and work that the Lord has given us, we can forget that the great treasure which we steward is housed in ‘jars of clay’—jars that quickly and easily become chipped, cracked, and broken. With a fresh measure of authenticity and humanity, David Woolverton enables us to look at those broken and bruised places without judgment and find the treasure in it all.”
—Kevin Eshleman, senior pastor, Ephrata Community Church
“It was with gratitude and eager expectation I received this book from my friend David Woolverton. His life experiences with grief as a man of God, pastor, theologian, professor, and leadership coach have placed him in a position of authority to address this important issue. Through the wisdom and insights given in this book, you will discover as I have, how grief is a gift of grace for the transitions and loss we all face in life.”
—Wesley Siegrist, executive pastor of operations, Ephrata Community Church
“Prophet and Loss is a remarkable journey that brings together the wonderful stories of Scripture and David’s authentic experiences with grief. These stories and insights are beautifully woven together to help the pastor, minister, and everyday follower of Christ consider what it means to walk through grief alongside others while holding the hand of Christ who meets us there. I cried, I healed, I came out better equipped to meet others in their grief, and I was able to process my own grief. This a must-read for all.”
—Heather Henson, affiliate professor of pastoral ministries, Kairos University
“In this time when we are experiencing a global outbreak of grief, David Woolverton wisely encourages us as individuals and leaders to face the grief head on. He reminds us, ‘Our losses are the arenas within which genuine spiritual growth occurs.’ Prepare to be moved, inspired, and forever changed by this transformative literary masterpiece.”
—Don Eisenhauer, founder, Coaching at End of Life
- Title: Prophet and Loss: Embracing Grief, Nurturing Resilience, and Harnessing Authentic Leadership
- Author: David E. Woolverton
- Publisher: Wipf and Stock
- Print Publication Date: 2024
- Logos Release Date: 2024
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Ebook
- ISBNs: 9798385208173, 9798385208166, 9798385208159
- Resource ID: LLS:9798385208173
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Metadata Last Updated: 2024-02-15T21:41:27Z
David E. Woolverton has been a pastor for over thirty-five years, primarily serving churches facing turnaround ministry situations. He has a doctorate in conflict leadership and intensive clinical training in hospital chaplaincy. Woolverton is an affiliate professor and a faculty mentor at Kairos University, and a sought-after workshop leader and church consultant in conflict leadership and transition. He is the author of Mission Rift: Leading through Church Conflict (2021).