Leadership That Works: Hope and Direction for Church and Parachurch Leaders in Today’s Complex World
Overview
Pete Drucker has said that pastoring a large church is one of the three most difficult jobs in America today. Pastors are expected to be biblical scholars, business administrators, counselors, public speakers, fund-raisers, visionaries, plus have a personal life that is consistent with the values of the church. It is little wonder that thousands of church leaders wonder why they ever accepted leadership responsibilities and many quit.
As a nationally recognized authority on church and parachurch leadership, Anderson brings the help and hope that leaders need in today’s complex world. Shedding light on the current challenges of leadership and on mistaken leadership myths goes a long way toward putting difficulties into proper perspective. Defining the changes required and facing the complex issues is a long step in the right direction toward twenty-first century leadership. In a “catalog culture” of multiple options, leading is perplexing and sometimes overwhelming, but Anderson’s counsel is sound and practical.
Perfect for students, pastors, church leaders, and laypeople alike, the Logos edition of this volume is fully searchable and easily accessible. Scripture passages link directly to your favorite Bible translation, and important theological concepts link to dictionaries, encyclopedias, and a wealth of resources in your digital library.
- Discusses current challenges of modern leadership
- Examines common misconceptions of leadership
- Presents ideas and analysis on how to become a more effective leader
- What’s Happening That’s So Different?
- Why Is Leadership So Hard?
- Leadership Myths
- Complexity—Nothing Seems Simple Anymore
- Busyness—There’s Never Enough Time
- Options—Living in a Catalog Culture
- Competition—Like Running a Marathon
- Expectations—The Rules Are Changing
- Relationships—It’s Who You Know
- Stress—The Weight That Holds Us Down
- Hope—We Need It to Go On
- Actions—What the Leader Can Do
- Vision—See the Goal and Show the Way
- The End—Finishing Well
Top Highlights
“An old communication adage reminds us of this: ‘An amateur asks, ‘What should I say?’ A professional asks, ‘Who is my audience?’ ’” (Page 140)
“Leadership is doing what needs to be done. If the church needs vision and I am not a visionary, I must make it my priority to gain vision. If the church needs teaching and that’s not my strength, I have to figure out how to teach. If the organization needs to raise more money and I don’t feel comfortable asking for contributions, I need to endure discomfort until I become comfortable asking.” (Page 174)
“The call of a Christian is first and foremost to be a follower of Jesus Christ. Any call to leadership or to a specific type or place of ministry is secondary at best. Our call is to be what Jesus wants us to be and to do what Jesus wants us to do.” (Pages 172–173)
“The old rule of thumb said that a person could have a mentor until age forty and then it was time to become a mentor to others. I think we can have mentors for a lifetime, but the principle of mentoring others is certainly valid.” (Page 206)
I am a better pastor because of reading and applying the wisdom in this book.
—Roberta Hestenes, senior pastor, Community Presbyterian Church, Danville, CA
. . . an important means for busy leaders to get pointed back to the Source.
—Richard J. Mouw, president, Fuller Theological Seminary
This is the book you have been waiting for from America’s wisest pastor!
—Lyle Schaller, founder, The Parish Paper
Steadfast ministry and long-term fruitfulness verify Leith Anderson’s grasp of what works.
—Jack W. Hayford, chancellor, The King’s University
This book is a must for everyone in a leadership position.
—John C. Maxwell, founder, The INJOY Group
Leith shows clearly how to meet today’s changing culture without compromising biblically.
—Jerry E. White, president emeritus, The Navigators
Here is a smooth, clear guide for the needy leader, a track to run on in the troubled moment, a set of rails into a confident future.
—Calvin Miller, emeritus professor of preaching and pastoral ministry, Beeson Divinity School
. . . a leadership book that takes us all the way to the realities that face those of us who lead . . . from a leader who understands.
—Joseph M. Stowell, president, Cornerstone University
- Title: Leadership that Works: Hope and Direction for Church and Parachurch Leaders in Today’s Complex World
- Author: Leith Anderson
- Publisher: Bethany House
- Print Publication Date: 1999
- Logos Release Date: 2013
- Pages: 224
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
- Subject: Christian leadership
- ISBNs: 9781441256492, 1556619944, 9780764226267, 1441256490, 9781556619946, 0764226266
- Resource ID: LLS:LDRSHPWRKS
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Metadata Last Updated: 2022-09-30T01:08:01Z