The Next Generation Leader- Five Essentials for Those Who Will Shape the Future Description:

The Next Generation Leader: Five Essentials for Those Who Will Shape the Future review:
4 stars (The Next Generation Leader: Five Essentials for Those Who Will Shape the Future ) - This book is for anyone who desires to be part of the next wave of God's move in North America. As a church we have a lot to catch up to (or get back to) what is life and normal to the church on other continents -- community the way it is suppose to be.
5 stars (Tested Leadership Lessons for Emerging Leaders) - Andy Stanley's purpose in writing "The Next Generation Leader" was to pass on to emerging leaders lessons learned in his own leadership experiences. The book centers on five leadership concepts.



1.Competence - Focus your time and energy in your areas of strength.

2.Courage - The leader is the one willing to take the lead.

3.Clarity - Be clear even if you are uncertain.

4.Coaching - It takes a coach to bring out your full potential.

5.Character - Character makes you a leader worth following and it provides you with moral authority.



In Augustinian terms, Stanley has plundered the Egyptians, by borrowing many concepts from authors of business books and translating them into the vernacular of the minister and the world of the church. He does this with numerous examples of characters in the Bible and from his own personal life and ministry.



"The Next Generation Leader" is a short, interesting, and thoughtful book designed for those beginning their leadership journey. It should also provide reminders and challenges to those who have served as leaders for some time. I highly recommend the book for emerging Christian leaders. If you are looking for a more comprehensive study of church leadership from a similar perspective I would recommend "Courageous Leadership" by Bill Hybels or "The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership" by John Maxwell.
3 stars (Next Gen Review) - The last section, section 5 on character, was the most encouraging part of the book. Andy's advice about character development, the condition of the heart, and compromising the principles of God are right on. "But still the truth remains: There is never a reason to violate the principles of God in order to maintain the blessings of God"(Page 147) is a truth all Christian in leadership or not should live by. I did struggle with a few issues in the book.

Equally as important, also, is the purpose of leadership. This seemed to be left out or vaguely touch upon at the very end of the book. "In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven" MT 5:16 Focusing on competencies, having courage, clarity, coaching, and certainly character are all essential elements in being a good leader, but we should always keep in mind why we have been called into leadership in the first place. I hesitate at the notion of a leadership methodology that does not begin with the clear objective of glorifying God in Christ, as its foundational principle. In Thomas Schreiner's book; Paul: Apostle of God's Glory in Christ, he writes this about Paul, "Magnifying God in Christ was the animating principle of Paul's life and the foundational principle of his theology."(Downers Grove: Inter Varsity Press, 2001) p. 37))Paul was just as much a leader as he was a missionary, church planter, and theologian; and if "Magnifying God in Christ was the animating principle of Paul's life" then it should certainly be the animating principle in an aspiring Christian leader life.