Reviewing Leadership: A Christian Evaluation of Current Approaches
Overview
In Reviewing Leadership, Robert Banks and Bernice M. Ledbetter offer an acute theological analysis of the influence and importance of leadership in our culture today. The authors begin by analyzing the current growing interest in leadership and examining its development within the church. Next, they consider the spiritual dimensions of leadership. Finally, they offer examples of exceptional Christian leadership and discuss ways to nurture this type of leadership for the future.
Whether you’re a pastor, student, or layperson, this volume will enhance your understanding of the relationship between theology and culture. All Scripture passages link to your favorite Bible translation in your library. You can perform powerful searches by topic and find what other authors, pastors, and theologians have to say, making Logos eBooks ideal for studying contemporary culture.
Top Highlights
“In sum, then, leadership involves a person, group, or organization who shows the way in an area of life—whether in the short- or the long-term—and in doing so both influences and empowers enough people to bring about change in that area. Such leadership may be good or bad depending on the leader’s style and the content of what the leader is advocating. From a Christian point of view, it is only when the direction and the method are in line with God’s purposes, character, and ways of operating that godly leadership takes place.” (Pages 16–17)
“An effective and comprehensive biblical theology of leadership must draw on the person and work of Christ, the nature and activity of the Trinity, and the way biblical figures were led by God to develop into effective coworkers with him.” (Page 93)
“From this discussion we see that leadership involves at least four important elements: (1) the person of the leader, (2) the relationship between leader and follower, (3) the task a leader is attempting to accomplish, and (4) the influence of the context or setting in which a leader leads.” (Page 54)
“This book, of course, is particularly concerned with whether Christians’ core convictions shape their views and practices of leadership or whether these are more affected by wider cultural assumptions.” (Page 16)
“On the whole, verbs rather than nouns are used more often in regard to those making a fundamental contribution to the church. What is crucial, therefore, are the functions people perform rather than the positions they occupy.” (Page 38)
It’s not easy to lead Christianly, but for those who want to examine the best thinking on what it means to be a servant-leader, Banks and Ledbetter have compiled a broad and helpful survey of the recent literature.
—Marshall Shelley, vice president, Christianity Today
This book is a wellspring of knowledge about the intersection of leadership and Christian worldviews. Its ecumenical breadth and analytical depth can guide Christians from many traditions in shaping leadership for both the church and society. This resource should be embraced by all who care deeply about the theory and practice of Christian leadership.
—Shirley J. Roels, director, Lilly Vocation Project, Calvin College
Every wise leader I know learns from the past and applies it to the future. Books on leadership abound, yet anyone who begins a serious study into this subject needs to become familiar with the broad history of leadership development, both its theory and practice. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if one book contained some of the most insightful writings and thoughts from past to present? Reviewing Leadership is such a book and should be on every Christian leader’s bookshelf.
—Carson Pue, executive director, First Baptist Church, Vancouver, BC
This book is more than a dry bibliography of the literature on leadership. Banks and Ledbetter have crafted a theological and spiritual reflection on leadership for service in the world that is both timely and timeless. This is an indispensable guide for those who teach and nurture leaders.
—R. Paul Stevens, Emeritus David J. Brown Family Professor of Marketplace Theology and Leadership, Regent College
The best word to summarize this book is ‘comprehensive.’. . . A valuable resource. Properly studied, this book will allow novices in the area of leadership to discuss the topic intelligently and thus would benefit any reader.
—Southwestern Journal of Theology
- Title: Reviewing Leadership: A Christian Evaluation of Current Approaches
- Authors: Robert J. Banks, Bernice Murray Ledbetter
- Series: Engaging Culture
- Publisher: Baker Academic
- Print Publication Date: 2004
- Logos Release Date: 2013
- Pages: 176
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
- Subject: Leadership › Religious aspects--Christianity
- ISBNs: 9781441256836, 9780801026904, 9780801036293, 9781441227188, 9781585583560, 1441256830, 0801026903, 0801036291, 1441227180, 1585583561
- Resource ID: LLS:REVWLDRSHIPBANKS
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Metadata Last Updated: 2022-09-30T02:41:55Z
Robert Banks is a professor at Macquarie Christian Studies Institute in Sydney, Australia. Previously he was the founding professor of the ministry of the laity at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California, and executive director of the De Pree Leadership Center.
Bernice M. Ledbetter is the practitioner faculty in Organizational Theory and Management at Pepperdine University. She is the former director of the De Pree Leadership Center at Fuller Theological Seminary.