Christ-Centered Leadership: The Incarnational Difference

by David L. McKenna

Overview

"If a leader is a Christian, what difference does it make?" Giant strides have been made in secular leadership theory toward a Christian viewpoint. Priority is now given to character as well as competence, accountability as well as power, transformation as well as transaction, and servanthood as well as success. But these qualities apply to secular as well as to Christian leadership. So, the question remains, "What difference does it make?" David McKenna finds the answer in the Incarnation of Jesus Christ--a divine act for him and a defining attitude for us. Philippians 2:11-15 sets the standard and gives the details. "Your attitude should be the same as Jesus Christ" means following his call to the cross, where we die to self and sacrifice all self-interest in position, power, and prestige in order to serve obediently, faithfully, and humbly for the good of others and the glory of God. Christ-centered leadership is not an extension of the highest and best of human leadership. Radical obedience to the call of Christ and utter dependence upon the Holy Spirit make a substantive difference. In the most practical terms, Incarnation continues in us when we live fully, lead freely, and go where he wants us to go.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781621896753
Publisher:	Wipf & Stock Publishers
Publication date:	05/09/2013
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	134
File size:	2 MB

About the Author

David McKenna is the retired President of Spring Arbor University, Seattle Pacific University, and Asbury Theological Seminary. He is the author of thirty-five books ranging from The Communicator's Commentaries on Isaiah, Job, and Mark to The Leader's Legacy and Christ-Centered Higher Education, Retirement Is Not for Sissies, When Our Parents Need Us Most, and When God Laughs with Us: The Lighter Side of Leadership. He and his wife, Janet, celebrate sixty-two years of marriage and reside in Kirkland, Washington.
David McKenna served as president of Spring Arbor University, Seattle Pacific University, and Asbury Theological Seminary. At the age of eighty-five he continues to write a book a year, including The Communicator's Commentary on Isaiah, Job, and Mark; Retirement Is Not for Sissies; Christ-Centered Leadership: The Incarnational Difference; and When God Laughs with Us: The Lighter Side of Leadership. David and his wife, Jan, celebrate sixty-five years of marriage in 2015.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments ix

Introduction: So Smart, So Late xi

Part I The Incarnate Movement

1 The Same Old Tree 3

2 The Principled Self 13

3 The Incarnate Self 24

Part II The Incarnate Mind

4 Starting on Empty 35

5 Leading from Nothing 45

6 Dying to All 57

7 Exalted by One 69

8 Mediating for Many 79

Part III The Incarnate Model

9 Will We Follow Him? 91

10 How Honest Can We Be? 100

11 Where Will He Take Us? 105

Bibliography 113

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"At last! Someone writing about Christian leadership who takes seriously the incarnation of Jesus and the actual life, ministry, and writings of Paul. . . . With the insight of decades of leadership experience and an understanding of contemporary issues, McKenna brings the focus on Christian leadership to a fine point. The essential nature of Christian leadership requires a concerted and sustained discipline to be like Jesus. Nothing else can be authentically called Christian leadership."
—Jesse C. Middendorf, General Superintendent, Church of the Nazarene

"What can be more critical to the church than Christ-centered leadership? What is more contrary to the world than Christ-centered leadership? Eminent and widely read author David McKenna has been instrumental in the spiritual formation and development of many of us. His latest contribution, Christ-Centered Leadership, what he terms his 'best book,' will be similarly helpful as we follow Christ, and by his grace lead as he would lead: sacrificially."
—Commissioners William and Nancy Roberts, USA National Leaders, The Salvation Army

"I wish I had this book when I began my career as a CEO. David McKenna gives invaluable insights to a new generation of Christian leaders, yet his wisdom runs so deep I find much to learn in Christ-Centered Leadership."
—Richard Stearns, President, World Vision USA

"There are a myriad of books on leadership but none like Christ-Centered Leadership by longtime leader David McKenna. It is the premier book on leadership. . . . What is written is not mere theory but very practical examples of leadership lived out in the context of large, complex institutions as well as smaller organizations. . . . A must for every leader, regardless of age or level of leadership."
—Jo Anne Lyon, General Superintendent, The Wesleyan Church

"Expertly weaving Scripture, leadership research, and personal experience, David McKenna condenses five decades of senior leadership wisdom. I wish I could have read this book when I was thirty!"
—Alec Hill, President, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship

"Die to self and instead do sacrifice in a way that completely empties you and epitomizes the cross. Christ-Centered Leadership is a humbly uncompromising manual of uncomfortable truths, a must-read for anyone truly wanting to model Christ and his cross in the corner office."
—Harold B. Smith, President and CEO, Christianity Today

"After decades of practicing Christ-centered leadership himself, David McKenna has put his wisdom into words that will inspire and instruct a new generation of leaders in both the church and society. . . . Because so much of what he writes comes from his actual experience, the book combines the ring of truth with the tone of authenticity."
—Steve Harper, Professor of Spiritual Formation and Wesley Studies, Asbury Theological Seminary

"If you could purchase one book on leadership, Christ-Centered Leadership is the one. . . . This is the kind of book that can only be written by a Christian leader who is able to look back on decades of leadership in higher education. McKenna, with beautiful honesty and candor, shows us how Christian character is, in the long run, far more important than professional competence."
—Timothy C. Tennent, Professor of World Christianity and President, Asbury Theological Seminary

"Drawing from a decades-deep well of leadership . . . pitfalls are exposed and possibilities are explored. This is a much-needed recasting of Christian, incarnational leadership that is sorely lacking in marketplace materials on leadership."
—Matthew Thomas, Bishop, Free Methodist Church-USA

"While others are giving Christian leadership the spin of emergent, missional, transformational, and radical, David McKenna goes right to the no-spin zone of biblical truth with 'the incarnational difference.' Leaders who open themselves to the incarnational mind of Christ will follow him to the cross, die to self, obey the Spirit, and give the glory to God. Christ-Centered Leadership may well be the book that will help save us from ourselves."
—George O. Wood, General Superintendent, The General Council of the Assemblies of God

"Just when you think there is nothing more to be written about leadership, David McKenna confronts us with the expectations of the cross and the Christ. This is an unusual book. McKenna writes with the breadth of a scholar, the analysis of a theologian, the experience of a leader, and the passion of an evangelist."
—Leith Anderson, President, National Association of Evangelicals

"In our day we have oversold passion and transparency and undersold incarnation and discipleship. McKenna invites us, in a voice born of wisdom and experience, to respond anew to the two most challenging, captivating, and terrifying words Jesus ever spoke: follow me."
—Steve G. W. Moore, Executive Director, The M. J. Murdock Charitable Trust

"David McKenna has gifted us with a compelling call to leadership. With clarity and practical wisdom he unpacks the central charge: 'Let this mind be in you that was also in Christ Jesus.' This call inspires, encourages, and motivates all seeking to lead and faithfully follow Christ."
—Jeff Pinneo, Chief Executive Officer, Medical Teams International

Editorial Reviews

"At last! Someone writing about Christian leadership who takes seriously the incarnation of Jesus and the actual life, ministry, and writings of Paul. . . . With the insight of decades of leadership experience and an understanding of contemporary issues, McKenna brings the focus on Christian leadership to a fine point. The essential nature of Christian leadership requires a concerted and sustained discipline to be like Jesus. Nothing else can be authentically called Christian leadership."
—Jesse C. Middendorf, General Superintendent, Church of the Nazarene

"What can be more critical to the church than Christ-centered leadership? What is more contrary to the world than Christ-centered leadership? Eminent and widely read author David McKenna has been instrumental in the spiritual formation and development of many of us. His latest contribution, Christ-Centered Leadership, what he terms his 'best book,' will be similarly helpful as we follow Christ, and by his grace lead as he would lead: sacrificially."
—Commissioners William and Nancy Roberts, USA National Leaders, The Salvation Army

"I wish I had this book when I began my career as a CEO. David McKenna gives invaluable insights to a new generation of Christian leaders, yet his wisdom runs so deep I find much to learn in Christ-Centered Leadership."
—Richard Stearns, President, World Vision USA

"There are a myriad of books on leadership but none like Christ-Centered Leadership by longtime leader David McKenna. It is the premier book on leadership. . . . What is written is not mere theory but very practical examples of leadership lived out in the context of large, complex institutions as well as smaller organizations. . . . A must for every leader, regardless of age or level of leadership."
—Jo Anne Lyon, General Superintendent, The Wesleyan Church

"Expertly weaving Scripture, leadership research, and personal experience, David McKenna condenses five decades of senior leadership wisdom. I wish I could have read this book when I was thirty!"
—Alec Hill, President, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship

"Die to self and instead do sacrifice in a way that completely empties you and epitomizes the cross. Christ-Centered Leadership is a humbly uncompromising manual of uncomfortable truths, a must-read for anyone truly wanting to model Christ and his cross in the corner office."
—Harold B. Smith, President and CEO, Christianity Today

"After decades of practicing Christ-centered leadership himself, David McKenna has put his wisdom into words that will inspire and instruct a new generation of leaders in both the church and society. . . . Because so much of what he writes comes from his actual experience, the book combines the ring of truth with the tone of authenticity."
—Steve Harper, Professor of Spiritual Formation and Wesley Studies, Asbury Theological Seminary

"If you could purchase one book on leadership, Christ-Centered Leadership is the one. . . . This is the kind of book that can only be written by a Christian leader who is able to look back on decades of leadership in higher education. McKenna, with beautiful honesty and candor, shows us how Christian character is, in the long run, far more important than professional competence."
—Timothy C. Tennent, Professor of World Christianity and President, Asbury Theological Seminary

"Drawing from a decades-deep well of leadership . . . pitfalls are exposed and possibilities are explored. This is a much-needed recasting of Christian, incarnational leadership that is sorely lacking in marketplace materials on leadership."
—Matthew Thomas, Bishop, Free Methodist Church-USA

"While others are giving Christian leadership the spin of emergent, missional, transformational, and radical, David McKenna goes right to the no-spin zone of biblical truth with 'the incarnational difference.' Leaders who open themselves to the incarnational mind of Christ will follow him to the cross, die to self, obey the Spirit, and give the glory to God. Christ-Centered Leadership may well be the book that will help save us from ourselves."
—George O. Wood, General Superintendent, The General Council of the Assemblies of God

"Just when you think there is nothing more to be written about leadership, David McKenna confronts us with the expectations of the cross and the Christ. This is an unusual book. McKenna writes with the breadth of a scholar, the analysis of a theologian, the experience of a leader, and the passion of an evangelist."
—Leith Anderson, President, National Association of Evangelicals

"In our day we have oversold passion and transparency and undersold incarnation and discipleship. McKenna invites us, in a voice born of wisdom and experience, to respond anew to the two most challenging, captivating, and terrifying words Jesus ever spoke: follow me."
—Steve G. W. Moore, Executive Director, The M. J. Murdock Charitable Trust

"David McKenna has gifted us with a compelling call to leadership. With clarity and practical wisdom he unpacks the central charge: 'Let this mind be in you that was also in Christ Jesus.' This call inspires, encourages, and motivates all seeking to lead and faithfully follow Christ."
—Jeff Pinneo, Chief Executive Officer, Medical Teams International

From the Publisher