This has to be one of the best leadership books on the market. While geared toward those in the business world, where most of the exaples and stories come from, the principles are the same for church leaders. I found the basic idea of each leader finding and maintaining their own “True North” to be incredibly helpful. Particularly helpful was the brief mention that leaders, in their early years between beginning to become leaders and actually becoming true leaders. experience hard and difficult times that make or break them. Go read it and read it again.

This is a re-post from quite a while back. I am reposting it because I just read through the book again, and it is a book that every church leader, particularly those of us called Methodist, should read and re-read. If you haven’t read it, then stop reading this and go down to your local bookstore and buy it!

The other day I was at my local Cokesbury store, and I saw a copy of Gary A. Shockley’s new book, The Meandering Way: Leading by Following the Spirit. I couldn’t resist it; after all, it was in the 25% off new book section. So I bought the book with some trepidation, thinking that this was just another one of those fluffy, pseudo-spiritual formation books. I, however, was sadly mistaken. This is a book that is part autobiographical reflection, part leadership, and entirely formational. He begins by using the analogy of a sailboat. A sailboat, generally is not for speed, and cannot be steered straight into the wind, but maneuvers, or meanders, around to catch the wind. Too often ministers, and lay people, are caught up the idea of working harder and harder, more hours at the office, doing more things, is the way to succeed in the world. But is this really success? Shockley has been there, and chronicles the truth of the consequences of that kind of driven life. Perhaps he is right, meandering is better than hardcore driveness. Meandering is about following God; driveness is about us. The section where Shockley writes about finding the will of God, and his own personal search, is worth the price of the book alone.This is a book every person should read.

It is really weird not to be going back to class. I guess since I have spent almost a decade in post secondary education, the actual feeling of not having to go back is a little bit of a shock. There is also this fear that I have of becoming like some of the other ministers I have seen, and that is always talking about when I was in seminary, as if those were my golden years. I’m also afraid of losing the intellectual edge; being around a theological school does press one ahead in thinking and reading.

I’ve been busy trying to get situated in my present appointment. This is a new conference for me, so I am also trying to navigate the ordination process (which has been held up since I transferred in) and am, like most UMC candidates, frustrated. But all is going well at the churches, so I am thankful for that

Several things have been happening to keep me from blogging:

I am officially a seminary graduate (actually since December, but today as the commencement  and actually this is the second seminary graduation, the first was here).;

I have officailly requested a transfer od conferences.

I will be officially appointed in said conference in a few weeks.

Anyone interested in theological education, particularly in the Methodist tradition, should read Andrew Thompson’s post about mission statements.

In light of my last post, I feel compelled to also note that the WTS bookstore does acknowledge that they do sell books that they do not necessarily endorse. You can read their policy here. Now, having given the Westminster bookstore their fair shake and relieved my conscience, I have to say…I still find it ironic

I think that it is ironic that while Westminster Theological Seminary has suspended Peter Enns, their bookstore doesn’t seem to mind selling the book that caused his suspension. Ironic indeed…

You’re St. Justin Martyr! You have a positive and hopeful attitude toward the world. You think that nature, history, and even the pagan philosophers were often guided by God in preparation for the Advent of the Christ. You find “seeds of the Word” in unexpected places. You’re patient and willing to explain the faith to unbelievers. Find out which Church Father you are at The Way of the Fathers!

The talented people at Eisenbrauns have created a great sale for this day of the year. I must say that James Spinti , Andy Kerr, Michael Brown, And Teresa Ellis are the collective geniuses behind this. By the way go here and buy something!