Follow Me to Freedom: Leading and Following As an Ordinary Radical [Paperback]

John M. Perkins (Author), Shane Claiborne (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 15, 2009

Re-imagine Leading and Following in a World Longing for True Justice, Compassion and Freedom Followers of Christ yearn to see the world changed in compassionate, positive, effective ways. As prophetic voices, Shane Claiborne and John Perkins lead the way in this move to be the hands, feet and heart of Jesus. One is young, a self proclaimed reformed redneck who grew up in the hills of Tennessee and now lives in inner city Philadelphia and the other is decades older, an African-American civil rights leader who was almost beaten to death by police in Mississippi, and went on to found a reconciliation movement and counsel three American presidents. Claiborne and Perkins draw on more than a century of combined following and learning, activating and leading. Together they craft a timely message for ordinary people willing to take radical steps to see real change happen. In Follow Me to Freedom, Claiborne and Perkins lead the way toward justice for all, unfolding a proven strategy as ancient as the patriarchs of faith and as fresh as the needs of every human heart. Starting with Moses as a model, they re-imagine leading and following in a world desperate for true social justice, compassion and freedom. They offer practical ways to internalize and live out God’s promise of freedom in the twenty-first century. Followers of Christ will not only be inspired but also catalyzed into action, and the world will never be the same.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Shane Claiborne and John Perkins know the hopes and longings of this age. One is young; the other is decades older. One is a self-proclaimed reformed redneck who now lives in the inner city and has become a voice for compassionate change; the other is an evangelical African-American voice for civil rights who once was almost beaten to death by police inMississippi, and went on to counsel three presidents and launch a reconciliation movement. You would be hard pressed to find a more unlikely duo, yet Claiborne and Perkins now lead the way toward freedom for all. In a world hungry for radical hope, their stories, lessons learned and wisdom will guide us as we walk down the rugged road to another world. Followers of Christ will not only be inspired, but also catalyzed into being the hands, feet and heart of real change—and the world will never be the same.
Come along as we live out this conversation . . . there are many obstacles—so much suffering, poverty and violence. But our God is familiar with suffering. Our God can swallow up armies and pour out bread from the heavens. Wall Street may fail us, but the God who takes care of the lilies and the sparrows will never let us down. Our Savior has stared evil in the face and overcome it with love. And now we are invited to join the triumph of the cross . . . and to lead others on the narrow, rugged road to freedom.”

About the Author

JOHN PERKINS has ministered among the poor for nearly 50 years. He founded Mendenhall Ministries, Voice of Calvary Ministries and the Harambee Christian Family Center and Preparatory School, and was cofounder of the Christian Community Development Association. He was publisher of Urban Family Magazine and is the author of nine books, including the civil rights classic Let Justice Roll Down, one of the top 50 books of the last half of the twentieth century, according to Christianity Today. Despite dropping out of school before he was 10, he now holds 8 honorary doctorates. John has served on the boards of directors of World Vision, Prison Fellowship, the National Association of Evangelicals (NAE), Spring Arbor College, and others. He is an international speaker and a teacher on the issues of racial reconciliation, indigenous leadership development and community development. Seattle Pacific University recently opened the John Perkins Center for Reconciliation.

 

SHANE CLAIBORNE, bestselling author of The Irresistible Revolution and co-author of Jesus for President, is a prominent activist and sought after speaker. He is one of the founding members of The Simple Way, a community in inner city Philadelphia that has helped birth and connects radical faith communities around the world. Shane serves on the board of directors of the Christian Community Development Association.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Regal; 2nd Print edition (September 15, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0830751203
• ISBN-13: 978-0830751204
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #174,329 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars How to be a social-justice leader, May 30, 2010

By 

Brandon Vogt - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Follow Me to Freedom: Leading and Following As an Ordinary Radical (Paperback)

John Perkins and Shane Claiborne are two of my heroes. Well-known social activists, they are also modern-day prophets. John is an African-American Christian who was active in the civil-rights movement, later founding the Christian Community Development Association (CCDA). Shane has been described as a contemporary John the Baptist--right down to the scraggly hair, home-made clothes, and radical lifestyle. Both men, following the great Biblical prophets, call people to repent, love the poor, and embrace a life of simplicity. Their faith isn't merely an interior piety, but is embodied through compassionate, radical lifestyles.

John and Shane have dialogued about leadership and social justice over the years, and this eventually led to the publication of "Follow Me to Freedom" (Regal Books, 214 pages, paperback). Social justice and leadership are the book's main themes, but the content isn't somber as those subjects may seem. Reading John and Shane's dialogues is like sitting on the front porch with two close friends, rather than listening to a lecture in a sterile classroom. The tone is informal, as jokes are cracked throughout the pages.

This light tone helps balance the book's difficult message. Encouragement to "love as Jesus loves" often leads to guilt, but Shane and John avoid condemnation. Instead of decrying your current lifestyle, they present an alluring vision for what it could be. In their discussions they guide you toward a radical lifestyle through fascination.

The dialogue in "Follow Me to Freedom" is mainly practical, although there is some theology and history scattered throughout. John and Shane don't just tell you how to live; they show you through their stories. Like any good conversation, this book is filled with anecdotes describing the ups and downs of each man's journey. From arrests for civil disobedience, to living in intentional community, John and Shane describe many wild tales.

"Follow Me to Freedom" is split into eighteen conversations, each conversation revolving around a particular topic. Two of my favorite discussions revolve around the lure of power and the necessity of humility. Even a leader pursuing a good cause can succumb to power's allure, so humility is a necessity. John and Shane explain how leading and following as an ordinary radical aren't the means toward glory, but the result of humble obedience toward God.

I also appreciated the book's advice aimed at younger social justice leaders. A half-century after the civil-rights struggles of the 1960's, John notes the need for "new Moses's" to rise up from within the young-adult generation to lead a "new Exodus".

While this particular advice resonated within me, I think it may also contain my one misgiving with the book. "Follow Me to Freedom" seems aimed at such a small, distinct audience. I think 20-and-30-something Christians already passionate about social justice will love this book, but I question whether others will find it as rich. The book seems written as encouragement to someone who has already taken a few steps down this road. If the pursuit of Christian justice is new to you--or something that you don't feel particularly drawn to--I don't think "Follow Me to Freedom" would be a good introduction. For a more introductory guide to a justice-filled life, I would recommend any of Shane's earlier books, especially "Irresistible Revolution".

If you want to lead in the battles against modern injustice, pick up this book and join in the conversation. May "Follow Me to Freedom" ignite the prophet within.

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Practical, brilliant leadership for today's church, December 17, 2009

By 

Harrison, Wallace "giddy up" (Grand Haven, MI USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Follow Me to Freedom: Leading and Following As an Ordinary Radical (Paperback)

Most books used in church leadership today come from the market place, which can work, but this book is laser focused on church leadership. To me, most of the other leadership books drift away from being the church and find their strongest points in small circles of leadership that take place behind closed doors. This book, by two people leading from the streets, takes us into the hearts and lives of the people who desire to be the church if the church would just lead. The reader is invited to be a great, learned follower as we learn to be a great leader. Who we are following is as important, and can be more important, than who we are leading.

Shane and John take you right into their context with personal stories, which help give the reader very practical insights and lessons for our own church communities. You will find leadership in a grassroots way, living among the people and yet constantly empowering the people to learn to lead. For myself, leading in an impoverished, small church, this was a much needed read. In a time when it is sort of the trendy thing to do, church planting in an impoverished area, John and Shane call churches far beyond trends and into the grittiness of deep leadership. This book helps remove the rock star pastor from authority and moves them in with the people, where leadership can be raw and painful, but so necessary. More than in the highs and lows, leadership takes place in what seems mundane, the daily journey with people.

I would recommend that this book be placed in the hands of each person considering church planting, or any church leader who is looking to take their church out of the palace and into the streets. John and Shane's knowledge and experience is honest, helpful, and at times painful in stripping you of pride. Freedom indeed.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Incredible, February 26, 2010

By 

Not who you think I am - See all my reviews

This review is from: Follow Me to Freedom: Leading and Following As an Ordinary Radical (Paperback)

This is simply a beautiful book. I'm starting the process to become an ordained minister and I read this book. It has encouragedm me and challenged me to be a better leader so I can then become a better pastor. I felt I was getting a clear image of Jesus' heart as I read this conversation. Amazing. Truly a must read for anyone in a leadership position.