We start off the year with a book about leadership because, well most people think of ways they can better themselves in a variety of areas as they start a new year. This particular book is written to and for churches and their leaders, but some of the principles can be applied across disciplines.

The authors operate from the bias that churches are filled with broken people and therefore their leadership style and structure leave something to be desired. To give a more honest synopsis, they think the church is stuck and refuses to do better because it refuses to really try new things.

The idea of the status quo is constantly challenged throughout the book. However this is not just a thrust to challenge the status quo for the sake of being a pain. The push is pretty well thought out. There are no silver bullet approaches provided, merely a framework through which one should operate.

The three point framework suggested by the authors is conviction, culture and constructs.

Conviction is all about passion. The authors assert that leadership is lacking in many areas in the church because there is a lack of passion for leadership in the first place. Knowing the origin of the word leadership makes desiring leadership even that much less appealing. The base origin is a call to go forth and die. I know sounds like something everyone wants to do right? If we’re not convicted about leadership then we are most certainly not going to be willing to take some serious risks to move forward. Real leaders take calculated risks for the sake of the greater good.

Culture is really about the DNA of the organization. Is there a working DNA of leadership development and apprenticeship present in the church or organization? If not then generational changes will cause leadership to wane over time. Cultivating a culture of leadership development is not easy but for the overall health of the church it’s essential.

Constructs are the concrete actions put in place that allow the culture to thrive in light of the convictions for leadership development. The idea is pretty simple actually. It’s more than a program or new ministry area. It’s built around the culture. Do all areas of the church/organization demonstrate a heartfelt passion for leadership development? If not then a part of this puzzle is missing.

Some are not all that excited about leadership and church being in the same sentence, but if we’re about the idea of bringing people to a devoted relationship with Jesus how are they going to come if we don’t lead them?

A major challenge to leadership development in the church is the professionalization of church leadership positions. We have made all things important in the church fall on the shoulders of the pastor or other trained and educated person. This means that when we’re not good in an area, it’s easier to throw a few dollars at it and hire someone than it is to rally the troops and do it ourselves.

The main premise that weaves through the book is that we were designed to lead in specific ways. Some of us have front and center leadership roles. While others have quieter roles behind the scenes. Our position in leadership really doesn’t matter as much as the conviction, culture and constructs of our leadership setting.