Dwain N. Esmond, editor, Hagerstown, Maryland, 2013, 139 pages, US$19.99, hardcover. Reviewed by Nikolaus Satelmajer, D.Min., S.T.M., a former editor of Ministry.
All organizations—including churches—need quality leaders. Whether the leaders are formally selected or informally recognized by the members, leaders perform a vital role. Dwain Esmond gives us a helpful book that covers various aspects of leadership written by a number of leaders. Before I focus on its valuable lessons, however, I need to point out some limitations of the book.
First, most of the writers are or have been in administrative positions, with little recent congregational experience. Leadership is not limited to individuals in administrative positions. A church elder—even of a small congregation—needs leadership skills. A Vacation Bible School director must have leadership skills, or chaos reigns. Some of the most influential religious leaders, such as Martin Luther, William Miller, and Ellen G. White, never held “high administrative” (p. 58) positions, yet they made a major impact on the church. More recently, individuals in the Seventh-day Adventist Church, such as H.M.S. Richards, George Vandeman, William A. Fagal, and C. D. Brooks, never held “high administrative” positions yet started and led successful media ministries.
Second, the material is uneven, and some chapters seem to be just slightly revised lectures. Some material is from another era. One writer refers generically to a head elder’s spouse as “his wife” (p. 94). Today, in some parts of the world, nearly 20 percent of elders are women, so it would have been helpful to recognize those developments.
These limitations aside, the book is helpful reading for leaders—pastoral, conference, or lay leaders. What insights does it provide?
Leaders and God: Church leadership is leadership, but it is spiritual rather than secular and must always be considered in the context of what God wants the leader to do. When God calls us to spiritual leadership, we must trust Him to equip us to fulfill that role. You may be reluctant to accept the role, but God will make you effective (p. 31). When God calls us to leadership, He asks us to commit ourselves “to be used in the advancement of His kingdom” (p. 46).
Leaders are also talent scouts. They “recognize in others the gifts that God has granted and their commitment to service” (p. 138). When I visit churches, I often ask a young person, “Have you considered what God would like you to do?” Often they are surprised, but my question usually leads to a conversation. Sometimes I ask, “Have you considered becoming a minister?” Most are astounded by the thought, but some have actually become ministers.
Leaders—look around you and recruit other leaders for God’s church. That may be one of the most important roles you fulfill.
Leaders and character: All too many assume that character is developed in crisis. One of the writers tells us, “It is a myth that crisis develops character. It does not. Crisis reveals character” (p. 73). Often the character revealed in a crisis is not desirable, but we get to see who the person really is. The reader will find a very helpful section on scriptural portrayal of character on pages 58ff.
Forget the title: The world has experienced an inflation of titles. Someone who was once termed just president is now designated at some corporations by three titles—chair, president, and CEO. Treasurers have become chief financial officers, and so forth. Does this inflation of titles make individuals more effective leaders? Of course not.
One of the contributors reminds us that “genuine authority in leadership doesn’t come with title or position but when we so identify with the needs and aspirations of others that they can see and feel our passion” (p. 49; italics supplied). Titles are not important—roles and functions are. Church leaders have the mission of helping individuals with their needs and aspirations. That is a noble spiritual goal.
Whatever your role is, you will find this book useful in fulfilling your leadership role in the church.
