Christian Leaders need to read this book
356684
This book covers a lot of territory in a single, readable book.  Each chapter could be a book unto its own, but The Business of Faith serves as a terrific overview of what it means to be a Christian leader.  I recommend it to all who are Christians who seek to lead in a way that honors God and glorifies His name.
2599640
As a woman at the forefront of a Christian ministry, I recommend this book wholeheartedly. This is one of the best books on leadership I've read in a long time and offers practical advice and tools to better serve your team through purposed leadership.
2160809
This book is one that has challenged my leadership, my faith and how I live my life.
I've read many leadership books but few that are able to touch on these three areas so well.

The Anonymous Leader is a must reader for upcoming leaders, as well as any Christian trying to follow the call of Christ.

Highly recommend it.
2020834
In this book, Daniel Montgomery argues four five skills that pastors need in order to be most effective in ministry. He contends that these skills fall under three headings, roughly connecting to each member of the Trinity, thus offering a Trinitarian model of Christian leadership. Through doing so, Montgomery argues for a integrated model of Christian leadership, balancing relationships with one's God, one's fellowship, and the broader community.

There is much to commend here. Our leadership should be integrated with our theology. Our care for the souls in our community should be integrated with our care of souls within our congregation. This makes sense.

Yet, at the same time, the broad expanse of leadership gifts and abilities called for in one person in Leadership Mosaic seems to forget that one person can rarely possess all the gifts that are necessary to lead this way, and that the mosaic may be better reflected through empowering one's congregation to lead in different areas instead of doing the job one's self.
1736617
This book should be required reading by anyone in a leadership position in the church.  It provides compelling stories and insight into the decisions of leading believers on the issue of women in leadership.  Each one shares the journey they traveled in coming to the realization that Jesus came to free us from oppression and allow us to worship Him equally and freely.  For many of the people who contributed there was a very emotional struggle.  It was very different from what they had been taught.  Some stories left me filled with deep sadness because there are still people teaching that women only have certain subservient roles in the church and in society.
4963405
If you're looking for a book to give you the latest tips on how to grow a church, improve your leadership strategies or increase your churchs budget, don't get this one.  Dan White Jr. boldly takes on the current strategies of the church-world and argues forcefully for a return to the biblical model of the Church.

Pastors and lay leaders need to read this book. Dan challenges our common presuppositions by comparing our Western notions of success to the ministry of Christ and the first century Church.  Subterranean has a message that we in the West need to hear.
4524439
We are being called to a higher realm of influence. The church today is uniquely positioned to influence the culture around her. But Christians are walking away from this opportunity, this responsibility, in favor of building a separate, "safer" culture of our own.

Yet we've been given the tools to break personal strongholds and change the course of nations. Now revised and expanded, Created for Influence, shows how you can do this--and transform culture right where you are. Sustained prayer can release kingdom influence everywhere, from your own home to governments and judicial systems. It can undo demonic assignments and break the bonds that hold lives and nations captive.

This revolutionary book is calling you from a spot on the sidelines to a position on the front lines. It's for believers who are ready to join the fight and grip the heart of God in prayer.  Are you ready to transform history?

There are books and then there are books.  Sometimes these books cause you to nod your head and agree sometimes, they may cause you to squirm a bit because deep down inside you just know that the author speaks the truth.  This is one of those books.  For so long we Christians have played it safe.  We keep to our own, so as not to offend anyone with our beliefs.  All the while, we stand idly by and watch this world of ours to get darker and darker.

Be careful, as this book will challenge you change your thinking on that.  We are Created for Influence  a Godly influence.  Not just in our family or neighborhood.  But on the world around us.  Its time for we the safe and sleepy Church to come alive wielding the Godly Influence we have been gifted with.

God has a plan for our personal destiny and our national destiny that will succeed through us if we will stand the trial of faithful prayer.  I urge you to let this book take you on a journey that will radically change your prayer life and your walk with God

About the Author:  William L. Ford III, director of the Marketplace Leadership major at Christ For The Nations Institute, also speaks on intercession, unity and revival. He is co-author, with Dutch Sheets, of History Makers. Will and his wife, Dehavilland, live in Dallas, Texas.

Read an expert from this book at:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/229552963/Created-for-Influence

*Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book through the Chosen Books Blogger Review Program, in exchange for my honest review.  All opinions are my own, and no monetary compensation was received for this review.

*Reviews of this book were posted at the following locations:
Amazon, Christian Book, Deeper Shopping, Goodreads, and to be featured on my blog at http://titus3.wordpress.com
4317366
"What will it take to transform your leadership?"

This is the underlying question that Dr. Albert Mohler addresses in his latest book The Conviction to Lead.  Mohler, at the age of thirty-three, became the youngest president in the history of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.  Dr. Mohler was called upon to transform and revitalize Southern Seminary back into its place of prominence as one of the premier theological institutions in the world.  In this work, Mohler outlines 25 principles that will challenge how you look at leadership.

In his principles, Mohler distinguishes between being a manager and being a leader.  He points out that many are apprehensive in taking a leadership role.  He also draws a line between the two cultures of modern Christian leadership - the "Believers" and the "Leaders."  He goes on to define the differences between the cultures:
"The Believers are driven by deep and passionate beliefs.  They are heavily invested in knowledge, and they are passionate about truth...The problem is, many of them are not ready to lead.  They know a great deal and believe a great deal, but they lack the basic equipment for leadership." (19)

"The leaders, on the other hand, are passionate about leadership.  They are tired of seeing organizations and movements die or decline, and they want to change things for the better....The problem is, many of them are not sure what they believe or why it matters...They often ride one program after another until they run out of steam.  Then they wonder, What now?" (19&20)

As he walks through the 25 principles, Mohler provides numerous examples from his experience at Southern Seminary.  I appreciate the fact that Mohler not only shares his successes, but also his failures.  Additionally, Mohler applies Scripture to each of these leadership principles to drive home the fact that these are not merely man-made ideas, but are gospel-centered.

There is so much to take from this book.  One such example is in his statement "The leadership that matters most is convictional--deeply convictional." (21)  It is these convictional beliefs that form the bedrock of our identity, the foundation from which we lead.

Other principles that really connected with me are Leaders are Readers; Leaders are Speakers, and The Leader as Decision Maker.  In "Leaders are Readers", Mohler discusses such areas as how, what and when to read. (99-106)  In "Leaders are Speakers", Mohler states, "Speech is the currency of great leadership." (123)  He details how leaders give voice to their convictions and use this message to mobilize an organization to action.  Finally, in "The Leader as Decision Maker", Mohler addresses what I see as a critical problem with most people in leadership positions, the ability to make a decision.

I appreciate Dr. Mohler writing this book.  It is a must read whether you are a CEO or a small-business owner.  Pastors, elders, or anyone in church leadership should read this book and be ready to have your leadership skills challenged and changed.  I should disclose my bias for Dr. Mohler as I am a proud graduate of Southern Seminary and was blessed by my time there.

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received this book free from Bethany House as part of their Blogger Review Program.  I was not required to write a positive review.  The opinions I have expressed are my own.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
275930
No Church leader should go past this book which deals with the unique issues of church leadership which unlike other corporates requires us to be as intentional as any business about our goals and mission but within the context of a deeply pastoral community and in a world in which the rules have radically changed.
This volume is fundamentally realistic about this challenged and, using the journey westward by Merriweather and Lewis shows how we must approach these uncharted waters.
A very helpful and interesting read.
2923306
This is a excellent read for all Christian leaders.  Whether working in full-time ministry position or a traditional business leadership role, there is much to take from this book.  I have read hundreds of leadership books, and the section on conflict resolution and specifically dealing with passive aggressive behavior, was by far the best I have ever read.  Highly recommended for leaders to work through this book with their staff.  The assignments and review questions at the end of each chapter provide a great framework for navigating this book with your team.
586418
I would say that this book is a very helpful reminder to everyone who would claim to lead others. It is common today (and one only has to look at presidential campaigns) to lead with arrogance and claim superiority while deriding opponents. But that is far from the biblical picture of leadership. All leadership is to be characterized by love, and love should pervade our every action. Strauch does a good job of showing the qualities necessary for any leader, but especially a leader in the Christian community (be it church or the larger Evangelical world). He uses vivid examples to convey the truth of Scripture in everyday life. The book is relatively short, but is definitely worth reading. I was convicted of lovelessness even in my own life, and I understand better the biblical mandate to love others as I lead them.

Strauch divides the book into three sections:
1.) Love is Indispensable to Christian Leadership
2.) The Character and Behavior of a Loving Leader
3.) The Works of a Loving Leader

In the first section, he shows how pervasive the idea of love is throughout the Bible, especially in leadership contexts. In the second, he spends much time on what a Christian leader should look like and what things should concern him. In the final section, he devotes discussion to very practical ways to exhibit love as a leader.

It becomes clear through reading that Strauch himself is a humble man who is truly concerned with leading others into loving leadership.
3657316
Pastors and leaders are under spiritual attack.  The Bible says that agreement unlocks the oil that flows from Aaron's beard (Ps 133:1-2).  One can chase a thousand but two can send 10 thousand to flight (Deut 32:20).  This is an excellent prayer book for churches to read together and pray over the pastors and leaderships.
2746570
VERY, very informative book. All pastors and leaders need to read this one. Lays out the problem now, what we are facing in the future and great biblical solutions to the many issues we face as a church and the rising hostilities towards what we hold as truth in God's word.  Add to this one a book titled "U-Turn" by Barns and Burton plus Charles Swindoll's "Church Awakening" to get an even better overview of what happened. We as Evangelicals are not anywhere near in number as once reported; 1 in 10 or at best 2 in 10. You better find out why and make some changes moving more to discipleship that numbers.
4778495
Leadership in Black and White is a quick easy read, reminding society that, "One Nation Under God" is how this country was founded, and how this country should continue to reside.  Mr. Hardy and Mr. Goldsmith do an excellent job illustrating and breaking down how leading through Christian Principles simply "works".  As individuals we need to embrace the 5 C's of leadership and become doers; talking isn't enough.  I will also encourage non-Christians to read this book.  Even though Christian readers can definitely relate to the message portrayed, I believe non-Christians can use this book to gather great insight in how to become a better leader.  I personally use to work under the leadership of Mr. Hardy as a nurse, and this book just reemphasizes simple, solid principles he taught me in becoming an effective leader and a better person.
1292849
Our pastor, Kevin Duncan of First Baptist Church of San Manuel, referenced this book during a sermon on Spiritual Authority. I got it on my Kindle Fire and it is amazing. It should be required reading for any person who is in a leadership position in the church, Pastor, teacher, deacons, etc. The first 20% of the book tells those of us not in a leadership position that we need to realize that God alone has Authority. The rest of the book tells leaders that if they believe that they have a special authority because of their position that God has no use for them and will not bless them. He repeatedly tells leaders that they will have detractors just as Moses did, but that we are not to attack those who disagree with us. He points out with scripture that the correction of detractors is God's job and His alone. He also points out that no leaders opinion is any more important or right than the congregation's. Basically Brother Nee tells leaders that their ministerial life, whatever position, will be blessed if they surrender to God, never put their opinion on level with God, just do the job that God gave them to do (preach, tech, serve) and to trust God to handle the big issues. Great book. Thanks you Brother Kevin for recommending this book.
3113369
Excellent book!  Every Pastor, church leader, and lay Christian should read about the exegesis of the great commission.  Modern day western ideology has taken us away from the calling upon our lives to fulfill this command to "go and make disciples", we have strayed from the mandate. The modern day church has fallen to the western philosophy (the business/revenue of church) by growing your church big, thus Christians don't grow and there is no reproduction.  The author lays it out in very simple English, what Jesus did with just a few men, when He called them to follow Him.  The teaching format that Christ took with the fishermen, is explained in detail in order that the reader would do the same.
4070401
Every church board member should read this book. I do not suggest you hold your pastor or any pastor to these high standards, because I don't think we have people coming into the ministry today who could meet them. It shows the devotion and standards some pastors set for themselves, very interesting reading. Pastors themselves should read this book through once A year, and maybe a chapter a week for life, as suggested by Warren wiersbe