Customer Reviews

A Fish Out of Water: 9 Strategies Effective Leaders Use to Help You Get Back Into the Flow

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have read Barna for years and have consistently credited him with being a most able marketing research, marketing, and leadership practioner of the finest level. His successes would exhibit this.

However, equally as consistent has been my criticism that Barna makes emphatic, foundational assumptions claiming God said, when in fact God has not said, e.g. Jesus and Paul were the consummate marketing men when the Biblical proof he offers is bogus.

Here it is more of the same, applying supposed God says to Church Leaders who are visionary leaders for change in fulfilling God's vision. What does Barna suggest here and in the books he has written on vision? Quoting Proverbs 29:18, he defines visionary leadership as the pastor sensing what better future he has in mind for a group of people as a blessing. If only he would clearly tie this to the Gospel of Jesus Christ he would be ok. But no, he ties it to some dream, some Joel Osteen like wish and hope inside a person which doesn't equate at all with God's constant revelation of true interpretation/applicaiton of Prov. 29:18 ---- that then turns Servants of the Word, true sent and speaking for God pastors into CEO/Leaders which Barna exhorts here in this work.

Since this is based on business/management principles for leadership, it is useful to those in that pursuit, be they Christians or not. But for Christian church, this is leaven being brought into the church from world. To be rid of, or Barna et al will have to provide Biblical proof for it.

Was Jeremiah a leader sent by God according to Barna's criteria? I don't think he can pass the test Barna presents here. The other prophets and the current cannot either.

This is dangerous work which must be exposed as not for church but for industry.

This book is well worth the reading. Barna presents some good ideas about leadership, based on his experience. He presents his own theories about what makes a leader and the issues facing a leader.

His book is well worth studying. The book should be included in any course on leadership, secular or not. He make a good argument that leader are called to the task. I disagree with his premise that leadership can't really be taught. Christians in leadership roles need to read this book, and ponder the difficult questions he asks at the end of many chapters.

The Barna Research Group is world-renowned for its research and studies on Christian organizations, religious, secular and cultural trends, and organizational behavior.

I wanted a bare knuckle, no-nonsense practical book on leadership I could put to use with my management team, my sales people, and my ministry groups. This was it.

Barna describes four types of leaders: directing, strategic, team-building, and operational. The first thing I did was find myself in the mix, naturally. His insights are clear and very perceptive. Then I evaluated my managers. His insights into each style's nature, strengths, and growth opportunities were invaluable; especially as a mirror on myself and how I tend to interact with others.

He then sent me into my mission and vision statements for the organization and examine those in light of God's vision for me, my business, and His will. The time I have spent reflecting on this portion of the book and clarifying our objectives in light of God's plans, will certainly the business and my life.

A terrific book and a must-have for every organizational leader, father, and fellow traveller on the Christian journey.

I've read several books by George Barna, some excellent, some mediocre. This title is definitely one of his better works. He offers here very practical, helpful insights for church leaders in the 21st century. One does not need to search long on any bookseller's website to find a plethora of titles on leadership. Barna however, offers solid, spiritual advice based on Scriptural truths as well as painstaking research.

Near the end of the book he shares a quote given by Mother Teresa to a Christian leader: "Obedience, not Success." These three words describe in a nutshell Barna's philosophy of leadership. This title will be helpful for anyone involved in the challenge of leading God's people.