June 2007
Leadership Development Ideas
Book Recommendations for Ministry Leaders
In this section of our newsletter we will touch on the principles of Christian leadership that guide our efforts with churches. This month's principle: a leader is a learner.
Jesus calls us to follow him, the Rabbi, and learn from him. The Greek word for "disciple" (mathetes) means "a learner" or "one who follows one's teaching." A ministry leader must spend time alone with the Master, in prayer and study, if he is going to invite others to follow him in acts of serving.
To complement the reading of God's word, there are many books that can help grow leaders into all that God has for them to become. We wanted to spotlight three in this article that touch on some key topical areas: Understanding Men, Church/Ministry Leadership, and Personal Growth.
Understanding Men
To effectively reach men and think creatively about how to minister to them, we recommend the book Wild at Heart by John Eldredge that gives some great insight into how men are wired. When you realize that men are wired for adventure, and a challenge to conquer, it can shape how you design your next outreach event or men's breakfast.
Church/Ministry Leadership
A great book that informs much of Outdoor Connection Ministries' bridge-building approach and strategy for community outreach is The Church of Irresistible Influence by Robert Lewis. Lewis asks us to consider what it would be like if our communities were truly thankful for our church, if a large part of our church family was engaged in community service, and if our communities actually changed for the better because of our church's involvement. As a ministry leader, having this mindset is paramount.
Personal Growth
A powerful message from the book Experiencing God by Blackaby and King as it pertains to ministry and mission, is that we need to find where God is at work and join Him. Ministry is not about us and our great plans, it is about what God wants done and what HE has in mind. We need to be tuned to His heartbeat and alert to where He is already moving - in the church, in the community, and in the world - before we launch in to our own agenda.
Consider using any of these three books as a basis for discussion in your Men's Council meetings. Studying God's word and/or a relevant, faith-based topical book together as a leadership team can be a powerful way to unite your hearts and minds as you serve side-by-side.
Read the other articles in this issue:
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