21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent, July 22, 2010
This review is from: Leaders Who Last (Paperback)
The title of this book made me want to read it. The first two sentences made me want to read it even more. In his foreword, Mark Driscoll writes: "Pastor Dave Kraft is in the right season of life to write this book. By the time this book is published he will be seventy years of age" (p. 11). That was enough to make want to listen, and listen hard, to what this man had to say. So, I read the book in three different sittings in a thirty-six hour time frame. I'm glad I did.
Dave Kraft is a good writer, with a simple, straightforward style. The book is clear and confident. Kraft knows what he wants to say to leaders and says it. I was immediately drawn in with the book's clear flow-of-thought, which is evident from the contents.
Part One: Foundations
Chapter 1. The Leader's Power
Chapter 2. The Leader's Purpose
Chapter 3. The Leader's Passion
Chapter 4. The Leader's Priorities
Chapter 5. The Leader's Pacing
Part Two: Formation
Chapter 6. The Leader's Calling
Chapter 7. The Leader's Gifts
Chapter 8. The Leader's Character
Chapter 9. The Leader's Growth
Part Three: Fruitfulness
Chapter 10. The Leader's Vision
Chapter 11. The Leader's Influence
Chapter 12. The Leader's Legacy
The chapters are short, to the point, and seasoned with good illustrations and striking quotations of leaders from a variety of different contexts. For example, here's a great quotation about character from the legendary coach, John Wooden: "Be more concerned with your character than with your reputation, because your character is what you really are while your reputation is merely what others think you are" (p. 98). There are lots of these leadership maxims scattered through the book, so read with a highlighter handy. You'll want to remember some of these.
But even more important is the wisdom with which Dave Kraft writes. One gets the sense in reading these pages that he is a man who has lived intentionally and maintained a learning posture throughout his life. His insights and convictions come through loud and clear and without apology. Here are a few that caught my attention. (Keep in mind that this is a book written primarily for people in Christian leadership.)
* "Leadership begins and ends with a clear understanding of the gospel and being rooted in the grace of Jesus Christ as a gift." (p. 29)
* "It is vitally important that each of us discovers his own pathway to deep intimacy with the Lord Jesus Christ." (p. 32)
* "Passion will have more of an impact than personality." (p. 50)
* "If a person's gift mix is not predominantly in the speaking category, that person should not consider a major leadership role." (p. 89)
* "A lifelong learner asks all kinds of questions, reads broadly, writes down new ideas, learns from opposing thoughts, and is growing in Christian character." (p. 113)
* "Be careful with whom you spend the bulk of your time. A leader influences many by investing in a few and letting those few influence the rest." (p. 128)
* "Today, the crying need is for more leaders. To grow by addition, you recruit more followers. To grow by multiplication, you add more leaders." (p. 139)
And, the most importance sentence in the book (for me): "If you need people, you can't lead people." Now that's a hard saying, but a very important insight. The following sentences puts in context. "There is an inability or lack of desire to make the tough calls, speak the truth, or do the hard things. Motivated by a fear of disappointing people, this inability will seriously hamper and work against your ability to lead." (p. 132)
These, however, are just a few of the gems found in this wise and helpful book. Most of the chapters also include helpful, practical advice about how to implement the principles being taught. For example, the chapter on priorities (building on the previous chapters) outlines an eight step process for determining how and where to spend your time, moving you through purpose, passion, goals, plans, priorities, schedule, execution, and evaluation. It's a fairly simple approach, but it's doable - as is all the other advice Kraft gives.
So, I highly recommend this book. Though it is a brief book and doesn't say everything that can or should be said about leadership, what it does say is said well and sticks. Kraft's Leaders Who Last has a quality similar to J. Oswald Sanders' classic Spiritual Leadership from a generation ago. If I could summarize what I appreciate most about this book into three brief things it would be these: (1) There is a strong emphasis on depth of personal devotion to Jesus, out of which flows everything else. (2) There is a strong emphasis on multiplying other leaders. (3) It is written by someone who has done it for over forty years. `Nough said.
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13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great book!, March 9, 2010
This review is from: Leaders Who Last (Paperback)
Dave Kraft's book "Leaders who last" is one of the best books on leadership, I have read read. Having read Maxwell and others in this genre this book sets itself above the rest in the following ways: 1) Kraft is a leader at Mars Hill Church one of the fastest growing churches, 2) Kraft is actively engaged in pastoral ministry and training leaders, 3) Kraft writes from a biblical worldview, and finally Kraft explains concepts biblically but draws from his many years of experience. Leaders who last is an excellent book for Pastors, but also for every Christian. Every Christian should learn to be intentional in following Jesus in every area of life. While Kraft's aim is to instruct leaders and those in full time Christian ministry, I believe his book is helpful for every Christian, which is why I recommend every Christian leader. Part Three on Fruitfulness of "Leaders who last" was especially helpful as I do a lot of coaching of leaders and future leaders in my ministry. This section has lead me to pursue future training in the field of coaching. To wrap up this review, this book is one I will be recommending other Pastors, leaders, and future leaders in the Body of Christ to read, and is also why I gave it 5 stars!
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Leaders Who Last, March 25, 2011
This review is from: Leaders Who Last (Paperback)
C.H. Spurgeon writes, "Beware of no man more than yourself; we carry our worst enemies within us." Spurgeon poignantly alerts us to the danger of indwelling sin. The writer of Hebrews warns against that sin; the "sin that so easily entangles" (Heb. 12:1a). Tragically, many Christian leaders fail to heed the warning of Spurgeon and the book of Hebrews. Theological compromise leads to liberalism. Moral compromise leads to immorality. Few Christian leaders, as a result, finish strong.
Leaders Who Last by Dave Kraft serves Christian leaders well by turning their attention to the standards set forth in the Word of God. Kraft writes, "The greatest and most pressing need in the body of Christ today is an army of leaders who have a vision of a desired future and are called and anointed by God. These leaders possess a fire burning in their hearts that can't be extinguished. They are motivated and led by God to intentionally, passionately, and effectively influence others."
Kraft argues that leaders (and pastors in particular) have four key responsibilities, namely, shepherding, developing, equipping, and empowering. Three sections provide a helpful framework for developing the author's argument.
PART ONE: FOUNDATIONS
Kraft presents five areas that should characterize the life of every leader. The center hub represents the power of Christ. Four additional spokes make up the "leadership wheel" and include purpose, passion, priorities, and pacing.
"Leadership" writes Kraft, "begins and ends with a clear understanding of the gospel and being rooted in the grace of Jesus Christ as a free gift." I might build on the author's presupposition by adding that no amount of talent, speaking ability, giftedness, or charisma can replace a working knowledge of the biblical gospel. So many churches appear successful on the outside. Some Christian leaders and pastors (especially some young pastors) appear to have it all together on the outside. But when the gospel is compromised and the core truths of the Christian faith are neglected, tragic results are waiting around the corner! When a pastor begins to compromise the doctrine of hell, the exclusive claim of Christ, or the authority of God's Word he willingly embraces a "different gospel" (Gal. 1:6-8). The leadership foundation must be established for any kind of tenure in ministry. And Kraft does an excellent job developing the "leadership wheel."
PART TWO: FORMATION
In part two, the author narrows his focus. He discusses the leader's calling, gifts, character, and growth. Finishing well should be a high priority for every Christian leader. Kraft presents five helpful suggestions for achieving this important goal:
1. Maintain a vibrant relationship with Christ.
2. A posture of learning.
3. Identifiable goals and self-control.
4. Supportive personal relationships and family.
5. Clear vision, strong biblical convictions, perspective, and surrendering to the lordship of Christ.
PART THREE: FRUITFULNESS
Part three summarizes the leader's vision, influence, and legacy. The section on vision is especially helpful. Kraft writes, "A leader is a person who is dissatisfied with the way things are. He has a God-given burden, a vision, and a call to see something different. He wants to see something change, to build a new future. He then begins to communicate what he thinks and where he wants to go."
Kraft is calling for visionary leaders to step up to the plate; leaders who have a "destination in mind and possess the ability to take others along on the journey." He makes a strong case for visionary leadership. These leaders must:
1. Develop the vision.
2. Communicate the vision.
3. Implement the vision.
Leaders Who Last is a book that every pastor should read, absorb, and put into practice. Dave Kraft writes with the heart of a pastor and clearly communicates essential leadership skills that should be included in the makeup of every Christian leader. Every leader who intends on finishing strong needs to read Kraft's book. The principles are biblical and practical. No theory here. Highly recommended!
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