From the day Christ began His earthly ministry, He has used men and women, common and great, to spread the priceless story of His saving grace. Most of these received no earthly rewards. Many have been forgotten. But there were a few whose influence and commitment were so great that they left an indelible mark on the church and Christian thinking. Great Leaders of the Christian Church is an inspiring resource for pastors, teachers, and others who would like to learn more about their Christian heritage.

So many contemporary leadership philosophies, even within the church, are based on worldly examples of success. These methods force church leaders to become businesslike CEOs, dramatic visionaries, or savvy stategists abandoning their true calling as teachers. This book calls readers to be what the Bible empowers them to be, teachers who follow Christ's example of leading by serving, suffering, and sacrificing for the sake of others.

Ken Blanchard, a highly respected figure in the fields of leadership and business, invites you into the world of influence through his extensive career insights in this inspirational leadership book. In The Heart of a Leader, you’ll learn about: Uncover the significance of making value-based decisions; Learn how to pursue excellence in every aspect of your life; Explore the vital role of integrity in leadership and personal growth; Embrace change as a source of growth and development; Empower those around you to achieve their full potential. Get ready to go on a journey toward effective leadership and personal growth. Bound to become a timeless classic on Christian inspirational leadership, this book offers teachings on values, excellence, integrity, change, and empowerment that will equip you with the essential tools to not only lead effectively but also inspire those around you.

Understanding Christian Leadership offers an examination of a distinctly Christian understanding of leadership offering a critical appraisal of insights from secular theories of leadership, exploring biblical and other theological insights into the nature and practice of leadership. Whilst arguing for a form of leadership which is widely dispersed and collaborative, the book seeks to explain the distinctive role of leaders within such a leadership economy. It also seeks to establish a proper relationship between sacred and secular leadership thinking, tackling some of the common philosophical and theological reservations to do with leadership discourse, whilst offering a critical framework for discerning the suitability for the Church of different sources of leadership thinking. Designed as core reading for leadership modules currently taught by the author across a large number of training contexts in the UK, this book is an indispensable text for those taking undergraduate or postgraduate-level qualifications in Christian leadership as well as those in other less formal leadership training contexts. Foreword by Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury

Ministry throws unexpected challenges at you. What if a little more training could help you navigate them successfully? Though church leaders take courses in preaching and Christian education, when do they learn about personal limitations and the benefits of intimate friendships? Or what about conflict resolution? Knowledge gaps like these are often the primary factors that lead to frustration and burnout. In What Great Ministry Leaders Get Right, Jimmy Dodd of PastorServe and Renaut van der Riet of Mosaic Church in Winter Garden, FL, outline the six core competencies church leaders need to develop healthy, biblical, and sustainable leadership. Jimmy and Renaut address the critical lessons often missing from ministry training that all leaders need to successfully serve their congregations. Whether you’ve been in the pulpit for years or are just beginning your ministry education, every pastor can make sure they’re prepared for the real-world challenges of ministry.

Great political leaders who have shaped the world from antiquity to modern times are presented through engaging, accessible text. Readers will learn about great statesmen, military commanders, national liberators, reformers, and revolutionaries, including Alexander the Great and Nelson Mandela. Profiles of the leaders trace their life histories, careers, achievements, and most momentous decisions.

"Besides Jesus, no one has kept me from despair, or taken me deeper into the mysteries of the gospel, than the apostle Paul." —John Piper No one has had a greater impact on the world for eternal good than the apostle Paul—except Jesus himself. For John Piper, this impact is very personal. He does not just admire and trust Paul. He loves him. Piper gives us thirty glimpses into why his heart and mind respond this way. Can a Christian-killer really endure 195 lashes from a heart of love? Can a mystic who thinks he was caught up into heaven be a model of lucid rationality? Can an ethnocentric Jew write the most beautiful call to reconciliation? Can a person who lives with the unceasing anguish of empathy be always rejoicing? Can a man's description of the horrors of human sin be exceeded by his delight in human splendor? Can a man with a backbone of steel be as tender as a nursing mother? If we know this man—if we see what Piper sees—we too will love him. Paul's testimony is a matter of life and death. Piper invites you into his relationship with Paul in the hope that you will know life, forever.

In every period of human history, God has scouted for young people of specific character traits whom he will work, train, and discipline to execute specific leadership functions under His supervision. He will patiently check in obscure villages and homes until He finds you and gets your response to be trained in the school of hard knocks. Building on the stories of great leaders in the Bible, From Ordinary People to Great Leaders is designed to assist you in developing the mindset to grow from ordinary to great. God took Moses from Egyptian palace and sent him to sheep school in Midian; David went from sheep school to Saul’s palace. God guided them in their training and preparation, and when He saw that they were ready, he placed them in leadership positions to develop a fledgling organization into a great nation. As someone who is a potential or present leader, you must focus on what you and your organization can be the best at doing and focus on what you must do to accomplish your goals. The God-given wisdom of these leaders can help you get there. This guide seeks to help you develop your leadership skills and grow yourself and your organization by using biblical models for contemporary leadership issues.

How can African American church leaders maximize their leadership potential? What are current models for effective leadership in the African American Christian community? This book answers those questions and more with up-to-date research and current best practices regarding leadership principles and strategies. African American church communities and those who interact with and work with these communities will find this book particularly useful. ParkerBooks are written to equip and encourage African American ministry leaders.