The Leader's Journey: Accepting the Call to Personal and Congregational Transformation

by Jim Herrington, Trisha Taylor, R. Robert Creech

Overview

This book helps pastors and church leaders understand the role their personal transformation as Jesus's disciples plays in effective congregational leadership. It shifts the focus of leadership from techniques and charisma to spiritual transformation and developing emotional maturity so leaders can effectively lead congregations to embrace change. End-of-chapter discussion questions are included. The first edition sold more than 20,000 copies and has been regularly used as a textbook over the past fifteen years. The second edition has been revised throughout and includes a greater emphasis on Bowen Family Systems Theory.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781540960528
Publisher:	Baker Publishing Group
Publication date:	01/21/2020
Edition description:	2nd Edition
Pages:	256
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Jim Herrington (DMin, Houston Graduate School of Theology) is co-owner of The Leader's Journey and has served as a pastor to pastors in the greater Houston, Texas, area for 30 years.

Trisha Taylor (MA, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary) is a psychotherapist and pastoral counselor in private practice in Houston.

R. Robert Creech (PhD, Baylor University) is Hubert H. and Gladys S. Raborn Professor of Pastoral Leadership at Truett Theological Seminary, Baylor University, in Waco, Texas.

Table of Contents

Preface ix

Acknowledgments xi

Introduction 1

Part 1 The Call to Personal Transformation

1 The Need for Personal Transformation 9

2 Following Jesus on the Leadership Journey 25

Part 2 Leading Living Systems

3 Understanding the System 39

4 Thinking Systems, Watching Process 57

5 Becoming a Calm Leader 75

6 Leading in Uncertain Times 91

Part 3 Family Patterns

7 Going Home Again 111

8 The Nuclear Family 127

Part 4 The Spirit and the Journey

9 The Spiritual Life and the Path to Transformation 149

10 Learning to Learn Again 163

11 Thinking Systems as a Christian 177

Epilogue 189

Appendix A Constructing a Family Diagram 191

Appendix B Developing a Rhythm of Spiritual Practices 199

Appendix C Bowen-Based Training Programs 205

Recommended Reading 211

Glossary 217

Notes 221

Index 229

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"The Leader's Journey is a gift that issues from the authors' unflagging commitment to the ministry of the church and a love for the church's leaders who labor faithfully for the church."
— J. Bradley Creed, provost and professor of religion, Samford University, Birmingham, Alabama

"The Leader's Journey made my brain sweat (fresh ways to think) and filled my heart with hope (the possibility of transformation). This is not a quick-fix disappointment. Enjoy the pathway— it's transforming."
— Jared Roth, vice president and COO, International Church of the Foursquare Gospel

"We need leaders who lead from the inside out with a life of moral integrity, personal accountability experienced in authentic community, and who call others to follow them into the journey of transformational change. This book is a must read for those who want help in taking this journey."
— Dr. Jack Dennison, founder, CitiReach International, Colorado Springs, Colorado

"This book is a much-needed addition to the field of pastoral leadership. It does a marvelous job of taking insights from family systems theory, fusing them with solid Biblical theology, and making these concepts practical and accessible for pastors."
— Dr. Jim Jackson, pastor, Chapelwood United Methodist Church,
Houston, Texas

"Instead of giving us leadership techniques to be applied to others, the authors provide practical principles and personal stories of how leaders can manage themselves instead of others. This is a book pastors and congregational leaders need to read."
— Bill Easum, president, Easum, Bandy, & Associates