Leading One Church at a Time
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Understanding Christian Leadership
Understanding
Christian Leadership
Author Ian Parkinson
Publisher SCM £19.99
Format pbk
ISBN 9780334058748
Ian Parkinson teaches leadership at several theological colleges. In this book he combines academic and Christian thought on leadership to ‘serve as … a leadership primer, especially for those embarking on or engaging in Christian leadership’. The result is a substantial, comprehensive and academically rigorous volume, organised in two parts: Understanding Leadership and the Work of Leadership. Part 1 attempts a definition of leadership and includes a look at leadership in the Christian tradition as well as a critical reflection on the practice of leadership. In Part 2, Parkinson mines secular thinking and shows how it can be utilised for leadership in the context of religious organisations before presenting a blueprint for an authentically Christian understanding of leadership. His case studies are challenging and inspiring in turn. For Readers who are seeking to live the CRC vision as ‘leaders in church and society’, there is much that is of relevance. I found the chapter on leadership in the New Testament particularly interesting and thought-provoking, not just for what it says about leadership, but also for how we ‘do church’. A demanding read, recommended for Readers who find themselves with significant leadership responsibility.
GERTRUD SOLLARS
Leadership
Growing Leaders
Growing Leaders
Author James Lawrence
Publisher BRF £10.99
Format pbk
ISBN 9780857468888
The subtitle of this new edition could be ‘How to understand your vicar’, but it is so much more than that. ‘Growing Leaders’ is for every Christian who leads in any way – whether you are a teacher, a parent or an ordained minister, whether you are a leader
or helper in a playgroup, a youth group, or a chorister. We live in a changing world and are part of a changing church. Our primary responsibilities are to be followers of Jesus and to keep growing. This book is a detailed exposition of how we can all become better leaders. It is very readable, but not a book to hurry through. Lawrence gives advice from his own experience, and bravely exposes his own shortcomings in order to help us address ours. We are encouraged as flawed human beings to be the best we can be, knowing that we live with God’s perpetual forgiveness. Whatever kind of leader you are now, I urge you to take time to read this book.
VERONICA BRIGHT
Leadership
Church Leadership
Church Leadership
Author Jon Coutts
Publisher SCM £19.99
Format pbk
ISBN 9780334057789
Coutts teaches at Trinity College, Bristol, and this is a helpful, positive contribution balancing theological reflection with practical guidance. Lots of good questions are asked and addressed, from the classic, ‘What makes leadership Christian?’ to the more subtle, ‘If leadership is a spiritual gift, which is it?’ It is always helpful to get a feeling for where the author is coming from and a quick glance at the index reveals key influences. For example, Henri Nouwen’s portrait of leadership In the Name of Jesus is cited far more times than Charles Handy’s highly influential Understanding Organizations. During a vacancy, Readers will often find themselves expected to take on an interim leadership role without necessarily having the authority that an incumbent may enjoy. There is excellent material here on understanding different models of church and corresponding expectations of leadership styles. This would be very helpful for focusing a PCC discussion prior to drawing up a parish profile. From lay ministers’ perspectives, it would have been good to see more on collaborative leadership models; but the author helpfully reminds us, ‘God originally preferred to lead through prophets rather than kings.’
ALAN MITCHELL
Leadership
If Entrepreneurs Ran the Church
If Entrepreneurs
Ran the Church
Author Peter Kerridge
Publisher SPCK £9.99
Format pbk
ISBN 9780281078004
This book contains a miscellany of ideas about how to reinvigorate the Church from eight successful people who run large enterprises. Having been in industry, I was sceptical that managers in commerce could envisage getting the best out of the mix of stipendiary and voluntary workers that is the Church. Their ideas, though, draw one in probably because whatever it is, they want to make it work. A phrase that crops up several times is, ‘generosity of spirit.’ More emphasis is put on willingness to do things in the name of Jesus than on money and for this reason, and the many fresh ideas, I think this is especially a book for Readers. The overview at the end of the interviews is particularly welcome as a summary, and the ‘questions to help you consider how your church might gain from the entrepreneurs’ ideas,’ are useful.
JOHN FOXLEE
Leadership
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