Brain-Savvy Leaders: The Science of Significant Ministry

by Charles Stone

Overview

Leadership demands constant reframing and reappraisal of the situation at hand. It requires focus, objectivity, honest appraisal of self and others, and evaluation of available resources. An effective Christian church leader must also align the congregation’s vision and practices with God’s vision and the teachings of Christ. Perhaps most importantly, the church leader must love others. Author Charles Stone uses recent neuroscience research to show how basic brain processes affect leadership. He writes in layperson’s language, with memory-boosting illustrations and acronyms, helping readers to increase productivity, handle stress, create and sustain healthy teams, and manage change in the church. Brain science complements and reinforces Christian teaching on life and leadership; Brain-Savvy Leaders equips readers to use that science as a tool for improvement for life and for the church. Brain-Savvy Leaders is… … the best book I have read on the brain science of healthy thinking and effective leadership. Dr. Stone has done an incredible job of balancing modern brain science with Biblical truth, making complex ideas simple to understand and providing practical tools to enhance mental performance. --Timothy R. Jennings, M.D, FAPA; President, Tennessee Psychiatric Association; Vice President, Southern Psychiatric Association; author, The God Shaped Brain: How Changing Your View of God Transforms Your Life … an engaging and fun read that's also insightful, informative, and practical. A valuable resource for spiritual leaders. --Golnaz Tabinia, neuroscientist and assistant professor, Carnegie Mellon University … will help you with emotional regulation, personal productivity, team collaboration and change management. It's a winner! --Dan Reiland, Executive Pastor, 12Stone Church, Lawrenceville, Georgia; author, Amplified Leadership … shares helpful tips on how to master leadership in the church. I needed this book. --Ron Edmondson, Senior Pastor, Immanuel Baptist Church, Lexington, Kentucky … can help you take your church to the next level and help you better align your leadership with God's desires. It will help you achieve greater focus and design more cohesive and collaborative teams. I highly recommend it. --Jeffrey M. Schwartz, M.D., author of You Are Not Your Brain and Brain Lock

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781426798337
Publisher:	Abingdon Press
Publication date:	05/05/2015
Pages:	234
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

Dr. Charles Stone has been a senior pastor, a teaching pastor, an associate pastor, and a church planter in his thirty-four years of ministry in the U.S. and Canada. He currently serves as Lead Pastor at West Park Church in London, Ontario. The most recent of his four earned degrees is an executive masters in the neuroscience of leadership. Learn more at his website, www.charlesstone.com.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments vii

About the Author ix

Introduction Why You Might Want to Read This Book xi

Section I Why the Brain and the Bible?

Chapter 1 Brain Science and the Bible: Uneasy Bedfellows? 3

Chapter 2 The Agonizing Journey: Brain Science Becomes Personal 11

Chapter 3 The Brain-Savvy Leader: Why You Should Become One 21

Section II Meet Your Brain

Chapter 4 Meet Your Brain's Parts 37

Chapter 5 Meet Your Brain's Players 51

Section III Brain-Based Leadership Competencies

Chapter 6 Using Your Brain to Stop the Emotional Freight Train 75

Chapter 7 Brain-Savvy Personal Productivity 95

Chapter 8 Brain-Friendly Tools That Build High-Performing Teams 119

Chapter 9 Sticky Change and the Brain 141

Chapter 10 Three Brain-Friendly Skills Easily Overlooked 163

Section IV Going Forward

Chapter 11 Final Thoughts 179

Chapter 12 Team Development Plan 183

Reference List 197