4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Leadership musings blog style, April 6, 2009
Tony Morgan's latest book, Killing Cockroaches, is something of a unique book in terms of readability. It offers a format that can be both a strength and a weakness. If you are an avid reader of blogs, or are yourself a blogger, you will find the format familiar and welcoming. If, however, you want long, drawn-out chapters with wordy exposition and endless (read: redundant) supportive detail, this book may not be for you.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading Killing Cockroaches, and quickly consumed the book in two sittings. Digesting the content, however, will likely take much more time. One of the best things about the book is that it does not need to be read in a linear fashion. You can pick up the book, flip to any page and begin reading any one of the numerous insightful sections. You might rather decide to scan the table of contents, looking for all the entries relating to a particular topic.
No matter what method you use to read the book, you will find a wealth of information offered in an informal, welcoming style. You get the sense that, if you were to meet Tony in person, he would be as congenial and as helpful as his writing.
For me, one of the best parts about the book was the repitition of key ideas. Tony has taken his more than a decade of ministry experience, mixed it with his wealth of non-ministry related executive experience, and condensed it all down into easy to understand segments full of application and insight.
Here are some of the ideas that resonated with me:
* Delegate: Don't delegate tasks, but rather delegate responsibility.
* Questions: In preaching, teaching, and other communications, make sure we are not just answering questions, but answering the questions being asked by people. The people not only within our church walls, but also those in the greater community in which we live.
* Answers: Don't feel like you have to answer everything. Get to the point in your communication. Less is more. Leave people wanting to come back for more.
* Culture: One of the best ways to connect with our community is to offer an experience they can't get anywhere else. Instead of copying the church down the street, decide who you are going to be and be it with excellence.
* Systems and strategies: Not the equivalent to programs and plans--these tend to be static, unbending, and slow to change. Systems and strategies are created by implementation of vision, and fostered by the driving DNA of the church.
Anyone who has a role in church leadership, from the senior pastor to the weekly volunteer would benefit from reading this book. I would suggest church staffs get together and make discussion of some of the ideas a part of their weekly staff meetings.
For the record, I did my first sitting with Killing Cockroaches with the paperback graciously given to me for review purposes by B&H Books. My second sitting was done with the Kindle version. I would recommend buying either version.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Tough to Rate This Book, March 20, 2009
This review is from: Killing Cockroaches: And Other Scattered Musings on Leadership (Paperback)
I have a hard time giving a rating for this book because it is different than most books. Actually, I'd classify it more as a "reference" book. It is better as a book that you utilize when you need a leadership topic. When you use it like that, it has great stories, illustrations and nuggets. Reading it all the way through is a little tedious and redundant.
So...My 3 stars is an average of two categories. 1 star for "read all the way through." 5 stars for "a great reference resource for leaders."
If you can get this in a format in which you can search (Kindle), the power of the book will come alive.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Cockroaches bug me but Killing Cockroaches? Different story., March 19, 2009
This review is from: Killing Cockroaches: And Other Scattered Musings on Leadership (Paperback)
I love this book. It's easy to read in short bursts with profound, lasting impact. Tony has proven experience with effective leadership inside and outside the ministry environment; and he's found a way to share what he's learned in a practical, humorous and challenging way. This book helps all of us do a better job leading up, down, sideways and (most importantly) in.
As you read each individual entry, you'll find yourself laughing out loud, furrowing your brow, surprised by a revelation and impacted by the weight of the privilege we have ahead of us in the church today.
No matter what your role--volunteer, senior pastor, administrative assistant, ministry leader, artist, board member--this book can make you better. That is, if you have the guts to read it.
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