Basic Christian Leadership: Biblical Models of Church, Gospel and Ministry [Paperback]

John Stott (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 23, 2006

Leadership today is no easy task. Christian leaders called to shepherd others get caught in power struggles and are tempted to abuse their pastoral authority. Pastors feel that they must project strength and certainty in order to preach and minister credibly. Too often our models of leadership are shaped more by culture than by Christ. John Stott offers an alternative vision in this biblical approach to servant leadership, exemplified by the apostle Paul in his ministry to the church in Corinth. Above all, Stott reassures us that God is at work even in the midst of our human weakness. "God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong." 1 Corinthians 1:27 A clear articulation of the nature of leadership as well as the thoughtful study of Scripture we have come to expect from John Stott, this exposition of 1 Corinthians 1--4 offers us a model of ministry surprisingly relevant twenty centuries later: leadership rooted in humility and grace, serving the church with the love of Christ. Study guide included.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Features & Benefits

* An important statement on Christian leadership

* Offers a countercultural, biblical perspective different from many popular leadership books

* Provides solid biblical exposition of 1 Corinthians 1--4

* Written by one of evangelicalism's most respected leaders

* The fruit of a lifetime of study and service

* Contains Stott's study guide and thorough indexes

From the Inside Flap

"God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong." 1 Corinthians 1:27

Those in Christian leadership might suspect that this verse invalidates the day-to-day reality of their ministries. They often feel that they must project strength and certainty in order to preach and minister credibly. But does this run counter to a Christian vision of leadership?

John Stott fears that too many Christian leaders have uncritically adopted secular models of leadership. The antidote, he contends, is a biblical approach to servant leadership, exemplified by the apostle Paul in his ministry to the church in Corinth. This volume provides a clear articulation of the nature of leadership as well as the thoughtful study of Scripture we have come to expect from John Stott.

Considered by many to be the elder statesman of evangelical Christianity, John Stott is himself a premier example of Paul's vision for humility and grace in Christian leadership. His insights here will encourage younger generations to follow in his steps, serving the church with the love of Christ. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: IVP Books (March 23, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0830833226
• ISBN-13: 978-0830833221
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #355,512 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

John R. W. Stott is known worldwide as a preacher, evangelist and communicator of Scripture. For many years he served as rector of All Souls Church in London, where he carried out an effective urban pastoral ministry. A leader among evangelicals in Britain, the United States and around the world, Stott was a principal framer of the landmark Lausanne Covenant (1974). His many books, including Why I Am a Christian and The Cross of Christ, have sold millions of copies around the world and in dozens of languages. Whether in the West or in the Two-Thirds World, a hallmark of Stott's ministry has been expository preaching that addresses the hearts and minds of contemporary men and women. Stott was honored by Time magazine in 2005 as one of the "100 Most Influential People in the World."

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars This is a wonderful book, July 28, 2011

By 

Mike Pettengill (La Ceiba, Honduras) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Basic Christian Leadership: Biblical Models of Church, Gospel and Ministry (Paperback)

John Stott wrote this book in 1973 to provide biblical models of church, leadership and ministry. In 2005 Time magazine identified Stott as one of the "100 Most Influential People in the World."

The author spends the entire book looking at the first four chapters of First Corinthians. Stott identifies this section as the primary location for Christians to discover and model proper Christian leadership. In First Corinthians Paul is addressing the complex situations surrounding the Corinthians. He does so with great clarity, wisdom, humility, love and gentleness - leadership qualities that are woefully absent in Christian leaders today.

Leadership is a word shared by Christians and non-Christians alike, but with a different definition. A leader, according to its simplest definition, is someone who commands a following. To lead is to go ahead, to show the way and to inspire other people to follow. Paul, not possessing textbook leadership qualities by today's secular standards, informs us that a leader is merely the greatest servant.

In nearly all cultures a servant is perceived as week, unwise, and unfit to lead. Christ exemplifies the servant leader. Even detractors of Christ would describe His form of servant leadership as wise, humble, loving and gentle.

Stott does a wonderful job moving through the first four chapters of First Corinthians by analyzing and expanding upon each verse. He helps the reader clearly see God's plan for Christian leaders. In each section Stott isolates, explains and provides application to today's Church. This is a wonderful book for personal reading, leadership training or group study.

11 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good Book, Wrong Title, October 3, 2004

By 

David R. Bess (Charleston, WV) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Basic Christian Leadership: Biblical Models of Church, Gospel and Ministry (Hardcover)

Stott here does his usual exemplary job with the Scriptures he intends to unfold for us. His work is well-written, but has much more to do with Biblical models of church, gospel and ministry. There is very little real leadership content offered here. Perhaps the publisher altered the title a bit to make it more appealing in the Christian marketplace.

The bottom line is that if you want Stott's opinions on church leadership, keep looking. This title isn't it.