The Leadership Dynamic: A Biblical Model for Raising Effective Leaders

Features

• Cover Type: Paperback with 192 pages
• Published by: Crossway Books August 31, 2008
• Written in: English
• ISBN 10 Number: 1581349432
• ISBN 13 Number: 978-1581349436
• Book Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 0.5 inches
• Weighs: 8.8 ounces

Product Description


Offers a time-tested, biblical model of leadership development that prepares churches to produce leaders not just for the church but for all spheres of society.

“The true test of a leader,” according to Harry Reeder, “is not how many followers he has but the strategic effectiveness of the other leaders he develops and deploys.” That model of developing and deploying church leaders in ever-increasing waves is at the heart of The Leadership Dynamic.

The church’s responsibility, however, does not end there, says Reeder. The body of Christ also requirements to resume its role as society’s definer of leadership by sending godly, trained men into all areas of culture, rather than keeping them solely within the church.

Beginning with the examples of Jesus and Paul, Reeder presents a model of multiplication that intentionally and continuously raises up other leaders. With its three-pronged approach to leadership development, this book guides readers through a time-tested paradigm that works in real life and is fully grounded in Scripture. The principles, personal illustrations, and practical ideas it contains will effectively equip leaders and the church for their task of transforming first the body of Christ and then our culture.

“Harry Reeder’s gifts of communication and leadership are legendary. This book is not only a source of spiritual wisdom but a manual on the practical application of the principles of biblical leadership.”
Peter A. Lillback, Senior Pastor, Proclamation Presbyterian Church, Bryn Mawr, PA; President, Westminster Theological Seminary

“Reeder’s urgent call to develop biblical leaders who are courageous, compassionate, and selfless is a battle cry to rescue our nation, our culture, and our churches from the suffocation of self-gratification.”
Bryan Chapell, President, Covenant Theological Seminary

“Reeder is disturbed that churches have entrusted the world with defining what it means to be a leader. He tries to take that job back—and with it, he gives us help in knowing how we can develop and deploy those leaders in the church and beyond.”
Mark Dever, Pastor, Capitol Hill Baptist Church, Washington, DC

“Drawing on a deep understanding of Scripture, a lifetime of ministry in the church, and a practical knowledge of military history, Reeder lays out clear biblical principles for success in spiritual leadership.”
Philip Graham Ryken, Senior Minister, Tenth Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia

“With compelling examples and practical suggestions, this book will challenge you to be a leader and to develop other leaders, and it will help you do both.”
Robert C. (Ric) Cannada Jr., Chancellor, Reformed Theological Seminary

About The Author


Harry L. Reeder III earned an MDiv from Westminster Theological Seminary and a DMin from Reformed Theological Seminary. He is senior pastor of the 4,000-member Briarwood Presbyterian Church in Birmingham, Alabama. He is also the author of From Embers to a Flame.

Rod gragg has written numerous historical books, articles, and film documentaries. He is adjunct professor of history at Coastal Carolina University, has been a political consultant for more than fifteen political campaigns, and has an extensive background in journalism.

Reader Reviews
The Purpose Harry Reeder, III writes as a seasoned pastor, who has both planted new churches and re-vitalized established churches. This passion has led to his ministry Embers to a Flame, with annual conferences and ongoing consultation services. This book, The Leadership Dynamic is birthed out of Reeder's conviction that the church's mission is best served and not complete until we reclaim the position of being a leadership manufacturing plant - a place that defines, develops and then deploys leaders out into the world. For Harry, this is more than abstraction, it is also the answer to the question of what he would do in ministry differently if he were to go do it all over again - develop leaders out of a biblical model and framework, rather than the usual models of business, or more specifically "contemporary capitalism" with an emphasis on pragmatism and consumption of wealth, rather than the creation of it in order to do good ("traditional capitalism"). Harry writes "The church must escape the swamp of greed-driven leadership prevalent in contemporary corporate America and ascend the high ground of gospel-driven leadership described in God's Word," (15). The Highlights Harry Reeder does a very good job outlining the current state of the church and its leadership crisis. He likens our situation today to dealing with the "cultural steroids" the church has for years injected into its various leadership programs, paradigms and structures. He writes: "In fear of rejection and with an incessant need for popular affirmation [the church today has] injected the church with cultural steroids to make it 'relevant and acceptable,' hoping that somehow the result will be that people will then 'accept' Jesus and the church will become bigger and stronger and therefore more influential," (25). The danger is that just as in athletics, steroids only produce an "immediate embellishment[s] of size and acclaim] (25), while paving the way for eventual disease and death. Harry is not denying the need for effectively communicating to the culture around us; just the infusion of worldly principles governing the church and the church's leadership development over those that Scripture teaches. "Eventually, thoughtless accommodation to the world becomes capitulation to the world - and our witness for the Lord is rendered useless," (29). And Harry rails just as hard against the opposite danger of traditionalism as he does this cultural accommodation. But he writes from a hopeful perspective, that "The Christian church must become a leadership factory and distribution center for the world, and by the grace of God, it can - if we return to both the biblical definition of leadership and the biblical method of producing leaders for the church and the world," (15). The rest of the book launches from this point and explains what Reeder calls "3 D Leadership" - what it means to define leadership the way Jesus does, develop them according to Scriptures model, and then deploy them into the world to further the church's mission - to glorify God and bring His creation into joyful submission to Him. Each chapter expounds these three main points, with helpful lists of principles, insightful applications and general traps to be aware of and avoid. The Good This book is clear and compelling. It makes a strong case for the kairos (appointed time) moment the church finds itself in, and offers sensible and Scriptural applications for this season. As well, reading (and listening to) Harry's thoughts is an engaging, challenging and thought provoking experience. Plus, he tells great stories. The Bad I honestly could not think of anything to critique in this book. For a contemporary book on leadership and the church, The Leadership Dynamic excels at laying out the current need and Biblical paradigm for addressing that need appropriately. The Audience This book is for anyone who feels compelled to lead in any setting as a Christian.Whether you are a Senior Pastor, or CEO; a freshman in college or a community group leader, I suggest you get this book, read, apply and refer to it often. My Take Away & Recommendation Read and apply this book both personally and corporately in your immediate leadership context. It will be worth your time and Christ's church will be better served for it.