Book Description
Best-selling author of The One-Minute Manager, Ken Blanchard, along with Phil Hodges, reveals the meaning of servant leadership modeled after Jesus Christ. Based on Blanchard's and Hodges' Faith Walk seminars, business leaders come to realize that teams are more powerful than the sum of the individuals and to recognize their people as appreciating assets.
Servant Leader summarizes the Four Dimensions of Leadership:
- the head (leadership assumptions and methods)
- the hands (application and leadership behavior)
- the heart (edging God out)
- the habits (solitude, prayer, study of scripture, unconditional love, etc.)
The thousands who have attended his seminars witnessed the transforming power of this unconventional approach. Readers seeking to grow as leaders and business executives will find Servant Leader nothing short of life-changing.
Customer Reviews:
It's about time!!!.......2006-04-01
Sorry for the cliche on my Title line. But I really mean it!
We've studied the leadership skills of Caeser, Napoleon, US Presidents, Kings, CEO's and Army Generals. Why did it take so long to get around to studying the leadership skills of Jesus?
Hey, even if you're not a Christian, you can learn from Jesus.
Servant Leadership in a Nutshell.......2006-03-16
In this slim volume of 125 pages, the authors manage to distill their thoughts about servant leadership and situational leadership.The format and presentation of the book is pleasant and allows room for reflection.
"Another way to tell a self-serving leader from a servant leader is how they approach succession planning". p.18
An interesting statement as it serves as a test to differentiate a self-serving leader from a servant leadership. The authors were correct to use this as most self-serving leaders will never let go as it is so closely linked to their ego.
"The journey of life is to move from a self-serving heart to a serving heart. You finally become an adult when you realize that life is about what you give, rather than what you get." p.22
An indirect reference to 1 Corinthians 13 where the apostle Paul writes about love. He wrote that as a child, we think like a child but when we are grown, we give up childish things.
"What is your leadership EGO?
EGO- Edging God Out or Exalting God Alone " p.26
An interesting play on the word EGO.
"How to start Exalting God Only:
* Embrace an external perspective of the here and now in light of the then and there.
* Seek to lead for a higher purpose-beyond success, beyond significance-to obedience and surrendered sacrifice.
* Scrupulously assess my level of trust and surrender to what I believe about God, His Kingdom and His claim on my life and leadership." P.40
"Follow The Twelve Steps to Faithwalk Leadership with others in accountability relationship over time.
1. I admit that on more than one occasion I have allowed my ego needs and drive for earthly success to impact my role as a leader-and that my leadership has not been the servant leadership that Jesus modelled.
2. I've come to believe that God can transform my leadership motives, thoughts, and actions to the servant leadership that Jesus modelled.
3. I've made a decision to turn my leadership efforts to God and to become an apprentice of Jesus and the servant leadership He modelled.
4. I've made a searching and fearless inventory of my leadership motives, thoughts, and behaviour that are inconstant with servant leadership.
5. I've admitted to God, to myself, and to at least one other person the exact nature of my leadership gaps-when I behave in ways that do not make Jesus proud.
6. I am entirely ready to have God remove all character defects that have created gaps in my leadership.
7. I humbly ask God to remove my shortcomings and to strengthen me against the temptations of recognition, power, greed and fear.
8. I've made a list of people whom I have harmed in by my ego-driven leadership, and I am willing to make amends to them all.
9. I've made direct amends to such people whenever possible unless doing so would injure them or others.
10. I continue to take personal inventory regarding my leadership role, and when I am wrong, I promptly admit it.
11. By engaging in the disciplines of solitude, prayer, study of the Scriptures, and belief in God's unconditional love for me, I seek to align my servant leadership effort with what Jesus modelled, and to constantly seek ways to be a servant first and a leader second with the people I encounter in my leadership responsibilities.
12. Have had a `heart attack' regarding the principles of servant leadership, I have tried to carry this message to other leaders and to practice them in all my affairs." P.40-14
This 12-step program to become a servant leadership is a powerful use of the philosophy behind the AA's 12 step programs. It assumes that a leader has come to a point where he or she is willing to humble themselves and be a servant leader. Many of us accept intellectually that we are to be servant leaders and force ours to behave thus. That is a recipe for failure as our self-serving self will always win out. As will the AA's program, a leader must be broken before he or she can walk through the program.
"The seven reactions people have to change- and the ways leaders can ease the transition.
1. People will feel awkward, ill at ease and self-conscious when confronted by change- tell people what to expect.
2. People will feel alone even if everyone else is going through the same change-structure activities that create involvement. Encourage individuals to share ideas and to work together to help each other through change.
3. People will think that first about what the have to give up- don't try to sell the benefits of change effort initially. Let people mourn their perceived losses. Listen to them.
4. People will think they can handle so much change at once-set priorities on which changes to make, and go for the long run.
5. People will be concerned that they don't have enough resources (time, money, skill, etc) to implement to change-encourage creative problem solving.
6. People will be at different levels of readiness for any particular change-Don't label or pick on people. Recognise that some people are risk-takers and others take longer to feel secure. Someone who's an early adopter of one type of change might balk at another type of change.
7. If pressure is taken off, people will revert to old behaviours-keep people focussed on maintaining the change and managing the journey." P.66-67
Some of the suggestions given are good. But somehow, it sounds like manipulation to me. Is there no better way for leaders to help their people change without manipulation? Missing here is to tell people why they have to change. Maybe it will be easier if people understand why they have to change. Then the leader will have their full cooperation.
All in all, this is a good read, giving the reader an overview.For more details about situational leadership you will need to refer to their earlier books.
The truth about leadership.......2006-02-28
Finally a book that truly provides insight, skills, and wisdom on what it really means to be a leader here on earth. Everyone is a leader in some way and I highly recommend this book. Being a servant leader is true leadership.
Somewhat disappointing..........2006-02-26
I have been studying servant leadership recently and was excited to read what Kennth Blanchard, author of the "One Minute Manager" would have to say on the topic; especially from a Christian point of view.
I was hoping to find a meaty, substantial book with examples and illustrations from his extensive experience in business and leadership. Instead, "Servant Leader" is merely a collection of quips, quotes, and a few Bible verses.
It is so disappointing when good authors market these tidbit books. Blanchard must have some wonderful insights and knowledge but this particular book is one which offers more milk than meat. The pages are beautrifully illustrated and the color graphics are very professional - it looks great on the coffee table.
However, if you are looking for a fuller treatment of Servant Leadership, I recommend the recent books by James Hunter: "The Servant" and "The World's Most Powerful Leadership Principle".
Christian Philosophy; Not a Management Book .......2006-02-15
I confess that it was my error in ordering this book without first reading the reviews more closely. While this book is excellent in its content, it is not a corporate management book (in my opinion). Instead this book discusses following Jesus as a role model in managing your own life. Numerous quotes from the bible and religious scholars are included. (I always appreciated Blanchard's "One Minute Manager", and I was looking for a treatment of Servant Leadership in a corporate context.)
Book Description
Using a fun, comprehensive approach, Funding Your Ministry Whether You're Gifted or Not addresses the obstacles faced by anyone in ministry who raises personal support. Ideal for missionaries, pastors, Christian organizations, and other fund-raisers, Funding Your Ministry will help answer your questions and put you on the biblical path for recruiting and maintaining donor support.
This 219-page book starts with a thorough teaching on a biblical perspective of fundraising, then presents practical fundraising strategies, including making appeals to individuals and churches, writing newsletters, and donor ministry. Not only is this book packed with vital information—it's actually fun to read!
Customer Reviews:
Used For Ministry Partnership Training at MAF.......2007-08-11
We used this text in our Ministry Partnership (fund raising) training at Mission Aviation Fellowship. I found that it answered a few theological questions that I had about fund raising very well. It was also a very practical how-to book
Funding Your Ministry.......2007-08-09
This is an excellent source for anyone considering raising support. It helps you understand your attitudes toward fundraising and leads you to understand the biblical basis for ministry support.
Just what it says.......2007-07-17
This book is THE book to purchase if you are venturing into the world of raising support. Simple, effective, practical, easy to read. I highly recommend it.
perspective changer!.......2007-05-30
This book changed my perspective on fund-raising! I now no longer dread this task, but eagerly anticipate what God will teach/show me about His provision through His people!
The humor in Morton's stories and Stayskal's illustrations keep this potentially dry subject very fresh.
I highly recommend this book for rookies and veterans in the support raising arena!
Great book for fundraisers.......2007-04-04
This is an excellent book for those in ministry who are not natural "fundraisers". Highly recommended
Product Description
What's Happened to Our Contributions? A hundred years ago, collective giving seemed the perfect solution. What one individual or church couldn't do, combined efforts accomplished with ease. National agencies sprung up, offering to spend on our behalf. And we embraced them. Flash forward to days crammed with emails, overtime, and endless commuting. Time is often more valuable than money, and the desire to delegate spiritual privileges and responsibilities is even stronger. Surely national agencies and the professionals who oversee them can carry out the Great Commission faster and more effectively than harried homemakers and stressed executives. But as our time shrinks, national ministries grow larger. What started as lean groups of roll-up-your-sleeves workers have become Paul Bunyan-sized agencies, with excess fat and an overload of middle men draining a big chunk of the money intended for spreading the gospel. Elaborate national headquarters have shot up across America, with presidential office suites rivaling those of top CEOs. And giving isn't the same. Sending a check to a faceless organization doesn't generate the same fulfillment as pressing money into the hand of a young person heading for the mission field. Now the only smiling faces are those of mega leaders. And recently, their smiles have been fading as disenchanted givers voice their displeasure with irresponsible spending. The author of this on-the-edge book proposes an answer. After opening readers' eyes to the tremendous waste of their hard-earned dollars, she offers ways to bring joy and effectiveness back into giving.
Customer Reviews:
Spending God's Money.......2007-09-30
"Spending God's Money" is an honest review of how mega mission organiations can splug on the "widow's mite" they are commissioned to manage. Mary indicates the best use of mission dollars come when the giver is closest to the user of the funds.
A must read for the sheep in the SBC.......2007-05-26
Ministry has become a path to wealth. Too much money with no accountability is like giving whiskey and car keys to teenage boys. We give to the cooperative program for missions...not for private dining rooms and catered lunches for VP's at NAMB. Not to mention the extra money they make writing books on the job and collecting royalties. Has sin been so dumbed down that these people do not even notice that they are using the tithe dollars of brothers and sisters in Christ for personal gain? Shameful.
It has become a monolithe with no REAL spiritual oversight. What is the answer? Send your money to a missionary personally.
My view is if these types of jobs paid less than six figures they may attract more shepherd like men. Take away the celebrity status and no writing books. After all, our Savior had no where to lay His head and Paul made tents.
Spending God's Money.......2007-03-25
Mary Branson has wriiten a couageous report of her experience working for leaders in the Southern Baptist Convention who have been corupted by power. It is an indictment of those who abused and defrauded the laity, but is also an indictment of the laity who failed to monitor and exercise prudent stuardship over God's money. Appropriate auditing and involement by people in the pew might have prevented this dreadful happening. It is a must read for anyone connected with the Southern Baptist Convention.
Spending God's Money.......2007-03-05
Branson shares her first hand knowledge of how these people spent money sent by well-meaning believers for their own indulgent lifestyles. The book is fair and impartial, and lets the reader be the judge. This is a book that needed to be written!
A Riveting Work.......2007-02-06
As painful as it was to read, I was impressed by the fair, direct, and loving manner in which it was written. It serves as a prophetic warning to American shepherds that God will not allow greed to remain hidden forever. I intend to get this book into as many hands as possible.
Book Description
Thousands of pastors, church board members, and tax preparers depend on this book to chart their way through the special rules that apply to ministers' tax returns. Worth's step-by-step explanation focuses on tax issues that pertain to ministers instead of general tax matters. Recent court rulings and tax cases are cited, highlighting how the rules have changed since last year.
Learn how to establish the most economical salary package for the minister. Discover what sources of income are taxable and what sources are non-taxable. Make the most of tax deductions for parsonage allowance, travel, meals, and other professional expenses. Worth's Income Tax Guide for Ministers puts the essential information at your fingertips.
Customer Reviews:
The Best for Clergy Taxes.......2007-05-25
I have used B.J. Worth's tax guide ever since it was a small 1/2 page booklet and now has grown into a major volume. I have run into "expert" tax service companies who know nothing about clergy and minister's taxes and this book gives them a full education on the special situations of clergy as well as the extra deductions available. The book is worth every penny you pay for it as you will find all the forms and advice you need to save yourself headaches and avoiding taxes that other tax preparers do not know about. B.J. Worth has been THE leader in clergy taxes and there is not a tax guide on the market that can compare to her publication and the services her company provides over the telephone (although rumor has it now that she has retired and sold her company to another group that does not provide the phone consultations...that would be a huge loss). But, the book can help any group set up their books, run their quickbooks with ease for clergy and avoid any questions. A MUST BUY for any minister.
Always helpful.......2007-02-21
As usual, the Worth's Income Tax Guide for Ministers is most helpful in preparing my taxes. Not only does the guide go through a step by step process in its help, the people in the Worth office are likewise very helpful. I have been using this guide for over 15 years, and find it always excellent.
Book Description
As a successful managing strategy for corporate. governmental, and nonprofit organizations, "stewardship" is, fundamentally, the spirit of partnership and service. Stewardship explains how to integrate the management of work and the doing of work to redistribute purpose and power within an organization.
Customer Reviews:
Unconventional ideas that not everyone will find useful, but great book . . . .......2006-12-05
I read this for an MBA class. Most of my classmates did not like this book and did not like the whole concept of servant leadership at all. Block's ideas and the changes he advocates are unconventional, however the book is written very well. I found the book easy to understand, easy to relate to and quite compelling as a result of Block's good use of concrete examples and mini "case studies" within the chapters. He does an effective and commendable job of demonstrating how to implement his ideas into an organization, a piece that is often lacking in books like this. The beginning is a little slow -- it was very theoretical and rather preachy for me.
However, it is a must read for anyone interested in leadership or management. Block's ideas present specific challenges to the old "command and control" corporate mentality that any maverick will find interesting to say the least. In the information age where knowledge workers are becoming an increasingly interesting challenge for leaders/managers, this is a great book in helping someone navigate the changing times.
Overall, the book is quite good -- I'm looking forward to reading more of Block's work as a result!
Choose service over self interest.......2006-08-10
This is from my blog which is why it reads this way.
I also read "Stewardship" by Peter Block. This is an excellent business book. The thesis of the book is empower people to make decisions. It also speaks about serving as a method of leadership. It talks about team interests as opposed to self interest (the belief being that a strong team is the best for self interest)
Interesting thesis. Choose serving over self interest because this is in your best self interest.
I agree with much of the thesis of the book although it is somewhat counter culture to our current culture at SYNNEX (and perhaps more close to the EMJ culture, the company I started in 1979 and sold to SYNNEX). A large part of my role at SYNNEX is to help mould culture.
Good culture can make a company succeed or fail. We are not quite where we want to be yet but are moving in the right direction. I know there are frustrations with where we are but I think if people really look at where we are relative to where we came from, they will appreciate that we are moving to where we need to go.
Yes!.......2004-04-23
I sat at the bookstore reading this book and nodding, saying "Yes, this author knows! He gets it, he gets it!"
Peter Block asks the important questions, gives pearls of wisdom highlighted among the content. He clearly understands what he is facing and moves the reader easily into seeing solutions which work and those which are simply adding more of the "old ways" of coercion, patriarchy and adding more "disease" to the organization instead of the RECREATION which will move the organization to its highest level possible.
This quote from Chapter 15 Sums up Block's attitude and approach... and had me want to stand on the table and applaud.
"If we took responsibility for our freedom, committed ourselves to service and had faith that our security lay within ourselves, we could stop asking the question, "HOW?" we would see that we have the answer. In every case the answer to the question, "How" is YES. It plays the location and the solution in the right place - with the question.
When will I finally choose adventure and accept the fact that there is no safe path?
I even smiled at Block's titling of the Bibliography as "Lost and Found."
Chapter 13: Recreating Our Organization Through Leadership is exceptionally strong as is Block's approach to the Cynics which inhabit (and have the ability to very simply destroy and dismantle ) positive growth.
Deming All Over Again - We Never Learn.......2002-10-20
Although he captured me with his initial quote from Shakespeare's Richard III as rationale for a practical means to insure corporate survival, I found Peter Block to be the most refreshing thinker I've yet had the privilege to study. I used this book in a Doc course where we included a fairly lengthy conference call with Block, thus giving our rather small cohort (12 of us) a good opportunity to quiz him on some of the gritty application details. I must admit that I finished the course with a distinct impression that Block may well be the next Deming. Unfortunately, the mistakes of the past seem to be repeating in that although a new generation of managers understands his philosophy and may be buying into it at a fairly respectable pace, the bulk of corporate thinkers are just not willing to jeopardize the thinking that got them into place. The problem is typical....one of my earliest lessons in administrative thinking was a CEO who told us to use that new CQI process because he was going to foster change in our org.....right up to where he told us to find a way to make sure the results of the process met his goals for the org.
There is no doubt that Block is challenging the big thinkers to have the guts to give up the power while still holding the responsibility. Like Deming before him, he's a prophet with a message everybody believes in but few are willing to sacrifice adequately to reap the enlightenment. I'm not a CEO, but I've used his principles fairly successfully the past 4 years, occasionally I can't make it work, but when it does, the results have been spectacular. What's important for me is that I think of myself as a steward entrusted with a valuable resource. There are some great lessons on how to do this in any serious biography of Henry II of England's administrative structure - which established the concept of English Common Law, among other achievements. (By no stretch of imagination could Henry II be considered a modern manager, but his concept of stewardship certainly was as radical in his day as Block and Deming in ours - the lessons of history are worthwhile.)
It's the subtitle of the book that provides the clue to the difficulty of the concept.....Choosing Service over Self-Interest....it's extremely hard to carry this out. Block himself tends to simply inform those who challenge him that he cannot provide assurances of security, that if the outcome were a sure thing there would be no need for commitment, and then he sometimes talks about installing living democracy in organizations in place of autocracy. This is radical.....so radical that the cost of believing is more than most of today's administrators can afford to risk, so perhaps the philosophy will take root in those who are listening now in anticipation of their time. When it finally happens, the world will once again become a better place.
weLEAD Book Review by the Editor of leadingtoday.org.......2002-02-13
Business consultant Peter Block is no stranger to controversy. A number of his previous works explored the reaches of transformational management, including his bestselling book The Empowered Manager. In an even bolder way, Stewardship - Choosing Service over Self-Interest offers a dynamic new organizational structure for our young century. Block defines stewardship as "the means of achieving fundamental change in the way we govern our institutions." He believes that stewardship is a choice "to preside over the orderly distribution of power." This means giving individuals at the bottom of the organizational structure the choice on how to best serve their customers, citizens and community". It also means accepting accountability at all levels. Block continues to define stewardship as being accountable to the larger organization by "operating in service, rather than in control, of those around us." His philosophy is centered on a need and commitment to service rather than self-interest.
Peter Block challenges the modern notion of strong leadership and suggests replacing the term with stewardship. His problem with leadership is that he does not believe it has the capability to create fundamental changes in our organizations. He also believes that leadership "inevitably becomes self-congratulatory and over-controlling. We expect leaders to choose service over self-interest, but it seems the choice is rarely made." Perhaps Block would have better made his point by discussing the various philosophies that pass as leadership rather than neatly collecting them all in one term. Indeed, leadership is often a vague and misunderstood term.
Stewardship - Choosing Service over Self-Interest is a book with three parts. The first part discusses the basic concept of stewardship. It highlights the promises offered by developing a passion toward stewardship in contrast to what we experience in traditionally managed organizations. The second part of the book discusses the redistribution of power in a practical way. This controversial section of the book butchers many managerial "sacred cows" and offers a vision of what stewardship can be like in action! Part three examines the reform process and explores how you and your organization can get from where it is today to an environment of stewardship.
If you are one who is not satisfied with the status quo, you will find this book exciting and refreshing. Sometimes written in almost theological terms, Block inspires the reader to expect more from our institutions and ourselves. This book should find itself on the bookshelf of every person interested in the study of leadership.
Book Description
"The Power of Servant Leadership" is a collection of Robert Greenleaf's finest and most mature works and an unexpected sequel to his "Servant Leadership." These pieces were designed to stimulate and inspire people in the practice of a more caring leadership and reflect Greenleaf's continual refinement of his servant-as-leader concept, focusing on issues such as spirit, commitment to vision, and seeing things whole.
Customer Reviews:
It's like sitting down with my grandpa & a cup of coffee and talking about life!.......2005-11-23
I appreciated Greenleaf's writing style and the inspiration he offers. While reading most of the essays in this collection I felt like I was sitting down with my grandfather and we were having a conversation over coffee in his den about how to make the world a better place. In the essay "Old Age: The Ultimate Test of Spirit" he referred several times to letters he received from friends and readers about advice they would like and how he responded candidly to them. It made him seem approachable and believable; the style fit well with his content on how to be a servant and make society better. Even in his essays he's coaching younger people! Greenleaf does not write about what he thinks should be done or what might work, but he writes from a long life of experience and reminds us what truly has worked in the past for him and others. It's almost as if he is saying, "Come on, I know you can do it!" The essay "Have You a Dream Deferred?" is actually an address he gave to a group of first-year Ohio Fellows in which he calls the students to take the next three years of their lives at their college or university and use them to make their institution the best it can be, and in turn, they will grow in creativity, distinction, and wisdom, among other noble characteristics. As a recent college graduate I was truly inspired and wished I had heard that speech or read this essay my freshman year. His writings invoke you to action and that shows he truly cares about his work and his message.
I also appreciate Greenleaf's humility and humor. I caught myself laughing out loud many times because of stories and anecdotes he uses to illustrate his points. He keeps his writing as simple as possible, using the same phrasing to describe concepts he truly believes in such as servanthood and leadership. He never uses his expertise, or status, to give his points credibility but rather lets his message, what he believes in, and his many years of work, thought, and broad experience speak for itself.
The essays themselves would be stronger if they had more structure and organization around a succinct argument. In his writings, Greenleaf picks some broad topic, such as seminaries, to write whatever comes to mind. The only attempt at an organization of those thoughts is a subtitle with a word or thought below which he will write a few thoughts in paragraph form and then move on to another thought without attempt to really make connections between his ideas. There are many connections to be made, which are left to the reader, but it would be helpful to know the connections Greenleaf has found. This would not detract from his informal style that I appreciate, but only make it easier to understand his thoughts. Perhaps Spears edited the essays in this manner and gave them even more structure than they had before. In his introduction Spears could draw Greenleaf's unorganized points together; as it is now even in the introduction Spears only lists the main points he finds helpful in these essays without offering much connection between them.
Also, the essay "My Debt to E.B. White" did not fit with the other seven essays whatsoever. In this essay are Greenleaf's thoughts on certain writings by E.B. White that Greenleaf admired and includes long quotations from those texts. For those of us who never knew White, and especially those who rarely read The New Yorker, the essay's point is lost to us. It is much to specific and detailed and the wholeness that Greenleaf is indebted to White for helping him see in White's life is not discussed enough to make the essay so broad to relate easily and connect with the other essays in the collection. It is much better left entirely out of this book.
Overall I found my introduction to Robert Greenleaf, his life, his thoughts, and his style to be engaging, unique, wise, and inspiring. The book was enjoyable to read without dull intellectualizing and what quotes he did use were relevant and very personal to Greenleaf. His years of wisdom are captured in these essays and anyone interested in leadership and how we should organize ourselves to build a better society, especially young leaders full of potential and ripe for service, would do themselves a disservice if they overlook Greenleaf's work.
Highly Recommended!.......2001-03-15
The late Robert K. Greenleaf was widely revered for his profound impact on leadership theory during the last three decades of the 20th century. Eight of his most compelling essays on servant-leadership (a term he coined) are published here in book form for the first time. These essays testify to Greenleaf's legacy and to his important role in the philosophies of leadership and service. Issues of spirit, vision and wholeness are woven through many of these essays, which address individual and institutional leadership in all areas, including government, business, religion, education and philanthropy. We at getAbstract highly recommend this eloquent book to those contemplating or holding leadership positions.
Food for thought for the 21st century leader........1999-08-06
As a Doctoral student writing on servant leadership, I found the newest book put out by The Greenleaf Center to be as interesting and thought-provoking as those published previously. If organizations are to be successful as we enter the 21st century, perhaps this book should become required reading at leadership seminars.
Greenleaf has a style all his own, but the material flows well and is readily understandable by the reader.
I highly recommend this book for anyone who leads in organizations.
Product Description
New, up-dated version includes study questions. helps, and forms.
"Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly Broken." - Ecclesiastes 4:12
Strong, godly relationships are the pillars of lasting support raising. Discover the friend raising principles that are uniting thousands of missionaries and senders in their work for God's kingdom.
Friend Raising brings together God's plan for missions support with principles proven in the field. In a world swamped by fund-raising hype, the author presents a refreshing biblical alternative based on relationship.
Bearing one another's burdens
Mutual love & sharing
Generosity
Communication
Prayer with promises
Customer Reviews:
very helpful.......2007-06-19
the book gives great advice in all aspects of support raising. i find it very helpful.
great book.......2006-01-27
I was recommended to read this, (borrowed it from a friend) to assist in my support-raising ... not even halfway through, i have already seen the truths of what she talks about, many of the points she makes are ones that I have had to learn already. Very much recommended for anyone starting out who needs some good advice or encouragement.
I have bought my own copy of the book and plan to take it with me on the mission field for its reminders of God's promises, support-raising tips, and uplifting stories that confirm my own experiences.
Get a copy for your church, yourself or any friends who rely on God's use of other people to supply for ministry expenses.
www.missionarygirl.org
Strong on relationships.......2004-03-08
Thanks to Betty Barnett for her excellent book on personal support raising. Her emphasis on trusting God and building relationships with donors is right on. When raising support, it is all about sharing your vision and life, and Betty helps us understand how to do both. Thanks Betty!
Raising support this book is incredible.......2000-10-16
If you are raising support or are getting ready to. This book is a must have. My wife and I have recently got this book and it is revolutionaling the way we view support raising. It not only goes into the biblical and theological purposes for raising support but also gives practical how to dos on raising support. This book has changed how me and my wife do it and I know it will change yours. Spend the 8 bucks and make a very worth while investment that will benifit you the rest of your life! God Bless and go reach the world!
Read It!.......1999-07-26
Tired of hype? Read this book
Book Description
For years, ministers have trusted this handy resource to save them time and money. This easy-to-understand workbook simplifies the tax code, provides a line-by-line explanation of the 1040 Form, supplies sound retirement planning helps, offers dozens of tips to reduce your tax bill, and much more.
Customer Reviews:
A must-have guide for ministers.......2007-05-21
I'm a CPA, and I buy this book every year. In fact, I buy extra copies for my minister clients. It provides the clearest, most user-friendly explanations I've found - better than anything else currently on the market. The examples, lists, charts and illustrations are invaluable. I wish all tax law was this easy to follow.
Book Description
Christian Reflections on The Leadership Challenge gathers together in one place a remarkable collection of leaders who share insights on faith and leadership. Well-grounded in research, this reflective and practical book shows how Christian leaders - no matter the setting - put into place The Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership®: Model the Way, Inspire a Shared Vision, Challenge the Process, Enable Others to Act, and Encourage the Heart.
Customer Reviews:
Excellent Book.......2007-09-27
Thanks for your great service. The book was delivered quickly and in excellent condition. I enjoyed doing business with you.
Excellent!!!! .......2007-09-24
This book was in great condition and came to me in a very timely manner!!!
Insightful!.......2004-08-06
According to the authors and contributors, the example of Jesus Christ contains indispensable lessons for leadership. However, in the Gospel, Jesus seems to have commanded disciples primarily to love God and one another. He never seems to have promised success in worldly business affairs or to have offered managerial precepts. On the other hand, in the parable of talents he taught his followers to be fiscally conservative and to invest wisely. To their credit, the authors and editors who compiled this book acknowledge that Christianity never set itself up specifically as a recipe for business success. Regardless, they conclude, that applying precepts they identify will lead to success. The leadership guidelines they quote make sense and do not exclude thoughtful businesspeople of any theological background. The authors illustrate their advice with amusing, instructive anecdotes. The counsel is accessible, ethically illuminating and personally inspiring, although if you usually skip the sermon, it may not be for you. We believe that its primary appeal will be to Christians who seek to serve as servant leaders in their communities and workplaces.
A High Call To Exemplary Leadership.......2004-04-07
I just read Christian Reflections on the Leadership Challenge edited by Jim Kouzes and Barry Posner, and am I glad I did. This is a fantastic book-both informative and inspiring.
Kouzes, Posner, and the five others whose chapters are included in this book offer invaluable insight as to how we can join with Jesus in exercising leadership within the framework of our faith. In so doing, they touch upon such themes as passion, service, and sacrifice. Consider, for instance, these lines from Patrick Lencioni, the author of Chapter 5: "Before setting out on a quest to challenge the process and change the world, Christian leaders should probably ask themselves two questions: `Who am I really serving?' and `Am I ready to suffer?'" This chapter, I think, brings us right to the heart of what it really means to be a Christian in a country where so many have forgotten.
Throughout each of the chapters, these same themes sound in one way or another. Whether it is a willingness to sacrifice time, credit, power, position, prestige, comfort, or even money, it is clear that suffering and sacrifice are at the very heart of the leadership enterprise. That is perhaps the chief reason why leadership is rightly described as a challenge in the first place. Though it is within the reach of everyone, it will not come easily or without cost. Nobody knew this better than Jesus.
There are, of course, other themes discussed, as well as the "The Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership" for which Kouzes and Posner are best known. In fact, Chapter 2, which discusses the Five Practices specifically applied within a Christian context, is one of the best in the book. I also thoroughly enjoyed Chapter 6 by Nancy Ortberg. Though trained as a nurse, she answered God's call to ministry in a way that would put many with advanced theological degrees to shame. Very inspiring! And Chapter 8, again by Kouzes and Posner, really brings it all into focus in a very practical way.
I have found much to ponder in this book, and I have every confidence that anyone wishing to better emulate Jesus will too.
Average customer rating:
- Worth keeping in the briefcase
- EVERYTHING you do, do it to the Glory of God
- Points Out Some Interesting Facts
- Leadership from the Greatest Leader Of All Time!
- Disagree with Pr. Gary Nokleberg from Appleton, WI USA
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Leadership Lessons of Jesus
Bob Briner , and
Ray Pritchard
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ASIN: 0517219220
Release Date: 2001-10-16 |
Book Description
A bind-up of two books that offers the timeless wisdom of Jesus Christ as it can apply to today's leaders. Practical as well as inspirational, the lessons and techniques are perfect for business leaders, community leaders, anyone who need to interact and motivate diverse groups of people.
Customer Reviews:
Worth keeping in the briefcase.......2007-09-08
I normally shy away from the platitudes and punditry of self-help and business "rules, tools, & tips", but I saw this book in the uniform sales shop that serves the US Special Operations Command,right next to War of the Flea: The Classic Study of Guerrilla Warfare, and I could not resist.
This little volume will join The Astonished Universe, a French-English side by side poetry book that celebrates life, in my travel briefcase.
I write this sitting by the window of an old estate in Provance, France, while attending a retreat with four others active in the Collective Intelligence movement. I bought it primarily because it was on sale in the bookstore that serves the U.S. Special Operations Command.
Written by a sports writer and producer in partnership with a pastor, it provides the reader with 52 segments, each consisting of a quotation from scripture, and then a two page double-spaced discussion. I found this book over-all to be thoughtful and practical and not at all "preachy."
The authors immediately drew me in, non-practicing believer that I am, by stating up front that this little guide was a means of discovering and/or reintroducing Jesus to your life. That did it for me, I'm ready.
The book opens with an emphasis on truth as the most important element of both faith and performance, then surprised me by emphasizing that how a leader is perceived is something the leader can never hear too much of.
The authors are at one with Peter Drucker is saying that the best lives are those in which the person is deeply enmeshed in a "calling" and striving to please and serve God while being faithful to their own talents and visions, accountable to others, but never subservient to others.
They distinguish between management, which pays people to follow orders, and leadership, which inspires others to work selflessly in harmony with others. They emphasize that leadership is personal, not at all removed or elitist. One segment stresses the importance of breaking bread with those you seek to lead. At this retreat that I am on, the food--vegetarian and the basics--bread, oil, fruit--is being treated as a spiritual celebration in its own right, so I would add that it is not just breaking bread, but doing so in communion with the Earth that gave us the food, and with one another who seek to save the Earth for future generations.
Among the many bullets that I noted:
* Leaders are disciplined in time management
* Leaders use prayer as reflection
* Leaders are teachers, and can teach under all circumstances including hostile
* Enduring leaders are compassionate
* Diversity is good for team building
* Core values are enduring, but in practice adaptation is essential
* Speak to the masses but nurture an inner core of future leaders
* Understand the importance of strategic withdrawals and pauses
* Setting for major announcements or intense dialogs are important--airport hotels are pedestrian, retreats with memorable environments enhance and nurture the intentions and goals
* Chapter 23 was special for me, after 20 years of dealing with opponents who refused to acknowledge the importance of open sources of information that could be shared: the chapter tells us that visionaries *will* be considered lunatic, even within their own families. This is precisely what happened to me in 1992 when I published an article in Whole Earth Review on the need to create a new national intelligence paradigm that was ethical, ecological, evolutionary, and based on open sources of information instead of stolen secrets. The chapter tells us that the price of leadership (whether direct, of men, or indirect, of ideas) is the willingness to bear with persistent pain and rejection in the face of disbelief and constant attack.
* In a separate chapter, the authors tell us that many will know *of* the leader, but very few will really know who the leader truly is.
* Expect to be unappreciated, but avoid sharing too much too soon.
* Know when to move on, and prepare your successors, encouraging them to move into the world "two by two" so they can reinforce one another and learn from one another.
The book ends with the observation that to be strong is to be in faith, and that in praising God, we should be all we can be within his larger framework.
There are many other lessons and anecdotes in this volume, and I recommend it highly.
Other leadership books I have read and reviewed:
The Tao of Democracy: Using Co-Intelligence to Create a World That Works for All
Leadership and the New Science: Discovering Order in a Chaotic World
The World Cafe: Shaping Our Futures Through Conversations That Matter
Building a Knowledge-Driven Organization
The Code of the Warrior: Exploring Warrior Values Past and Present
The exemplar: The exemplary performer in the age of productivity
Leading Minds: An Anatomy Of Leadership
The Chalice and the Blade: Our History, Our Future
EVERYTHING you do, do it to the Glory of God.......2006-11-06
Having bought this book at my local Clothing Sales on Fairchild Air Force Base, I can tell you that this book, in no way abuses the lessons of Christ.
A follower of Christ is called to glorify God in ALL he/she does. Not just when they are in church or when they are talking about faith issues, but in everything we do. This book takes on a certain aspect of people's lives...leadership. The book doesn't focus on the business world or the CEO of major companies..those aren't the only leaders. Leaders can be in pastors, church group leaders, or even the leader in a group of friends. This book gives a lesson on leadership using the the greatest example of all...Jesus Christ. How one could be offended by this is beyond me.
Points Out Some Interesting Facts.......2006-07-09
The authors point out some intersting facts in the Bible. In answer to one of the rewiewers who gave this book a one for "abusing" Jesus' teachings, there is nothing in the Bible that says it is abusing anything to pull out truisms and helpisms from Scripture to help yourself in life for a purpose other than getting saved. And although the authors' focus may have only been to help a person becoming a good leader or better, regardless, their use of biblical principles still may encourage pagans (non-christians) to see that the Bible is not valueless or teaches only on certain subjects (salvation, sin, and hell, etc.) and that if it is valuable in that way, then it is not simply a book made my "drunks" or simpleminded persons whose only goal was getting money out of people.
Some things in this book I did not like were the authors' endorsement of Martin Luther and Billy Graham, which could give people the wrong impression that these were good Christian men, and knew what they were talking about when it comes to salvation (the didn't.)
Another error they make is saying that it is necessary to be tempted to become a better leader, (because Jesus was.) That is obviously stupid logic. You don't need to be sinned against (including deliberately tempted to do something wrong) to become a better anything. Imagine a unsaved person actually believing that advice and deciding to use it to improve their son or daughter...
Leadership from the Greatest Leader Of All Time!.......2005-04-12
This book neatly identifies major themes in leadership theory and illustrates their being practiced and taught by Jesus. While it is somewhat thin, I consider this perhaps the single best leadership book ever written nevertheless. In 200 years this book will enjoy just as much applicability as it does today and it did 2000 years ago. Few other volumes can make such claims. Regardless of whether you are (or hope to be) a military, business, political, ministry, athletic or social leader, this is the first book to read.
After that I know a few hundred you might want to read. For starters you might want to peruse my Leadership Classics list.
Disagree with Pr. Gary Nokleberg from Appleton, WI USA.......2001-12-29
I have not read the book, so please ignore my rating which I had to fill in because it's a compulsory field. I disagree with Pr. Gary Nokleberg's viewpoint. As a spiritual person, I believe God can meet us anywhere and everywhere (even in the boardroom). If CEOs and senior managers want Jesus to teach them something about leadership and management, I'm sure God is gracious and flexible enough to meet their needs even if these needs appear to be non-religious. Who can tell after having been inspired by Jesus' teachings, these people will not come to a fuller appreciation of Jesus in a later part of their life's journeys?
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- Sight, Sound, Motion: Applied Media Aesthetics
- State-Directed Development: Political Power and Industrialization in the Global Periphery
- Strategic Planning for Public and Nonprofit Organizations: A Guide to Strengthening and Sustaining Organizational Achievement, 3rd Edition
- StrengthsFinder 2.0: A New and Upgraded Edition of the Online Test from Gallup's Now, Discover Your Strengths
- The Analysis of Household Surveys: A Microeconomic Approach to Development Policy (World Bank)
- The Complete Idiot's Guide to Publishing Children's Books, Second Edition
- The Global City: New York, London, Tokyo.
- The Methods and Materials of Demography, Second Edition
- The Methods and Materials of Demography, Second Edition
- The New Investment Superstars: 13 Great Investors and Their Strategies for Superior Returns
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