Leadership Essentials: Shaping Vision, Multiplying Influence, Defining Character [Paperback]

Greg Ogden (Author), Daniel Meyer (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 29, 2007

Leadership is essential. Maybe you've shied away from leadership because you don't know what it will involve, or you feel too unsure of your own abilities. But your leadership is needed! In every sector of society, from families to businesses to churches, leadership roles remain empty, waiting for people willing and able to step up and make wise decisions that bring positive change. And, in a world with priorities vastly different from Christ's, Christian leaders are especially needed to point people to him. Preparation is essential. As essential as the leadership itself is the preparation beforehand, which is why Greg Ogden, a seasoned leader himself, has created this interactive guide that will give you the tools you need to lead well, using your unique gifts and experience. Divided into four sections, this workbook will help you develop character, postures, vision and skills as you participate in the following elements in each chapter:

• a memory verse
• a Bible study
• a reading
• a leadership exercise

By working through these multiple channels of learning you'll be equipped not just with head knowledge about leadership but with true character formation and awareness of your own abilities that will prepare you for the challenges and choices of leadership. Designed to work well on your own, with a partner or with a group, Leadership Essentials by Greg Ogden and Daniel Meyer is the essential preparation tool for those who would be led and shaped by Christ to lead others with strength and wisdom.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

* A follow up to Greg Odgen's bestselling Discipleship Essentials

* Great for use in small groups, one on one, or in mentoring pairs or triads

* Includes material for individual use as well as group discussion

* Includes key readings on leadership

* Includes inductive Bible study

* Includes leadership exercises

About the Author

Greg Ogden (D.Min., Fuller Theological Seminary) is executive pastor of discipleship at Christ Church of Oak Brook in Oak Brook, Illinois. Previously he was academic director of the doctor of ministry program and associate professor of lay equipping and discipleship at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California. A pastor for 23 years with the Presbyterian Church, USA, he also served for nine years as senior pastor of Saratoga Federated Church in Saratoga, California. While there, he developed a discipleship program used by over 15,000 people and resulting in his book, Discipleship Essentials. Ogden has also written The New Reformation: Returning the Ministry to the People of God (Zondervan, rereleased in 2003 as Unfinished Business).

About the Author

Daniel Meyer (M.Div., Princeton Theological Seminary) is senior pastor at Christ Church of Oak Brook in Oak Brook, Illinois. Dan's sermons are heard weekly on the Love Changes Life program, broadcast on WCPX television and WGN & WYLL radio. They are also frequently featured in Christianity Today's Preaching Today resource. Additionally, Dan is the host of television's Life Focus news program. He serves on the Dean's Advisory Board of Fuller Theological Seminary's School of Inter-Cultural Studies; the Dean's Advisory Board of Midwestern University; and as Chaplain of the Executives Breakfast Club of Oak Brook. He has been an adjunct teaching resource for the University of Chicago Divinity School. He is currently in the final project phase of a Doctor of Ministry program.

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: IVP Connect (November 29, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0830810978
• ISBN-13: 978-0830810970
• Product Dimensions: 9.7 x 6.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #169,390 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Tool For Developing Christ-Like Leaders, June 18, 2011

By 

David P. Craig "Life Coach 4 God" (Tustin, California) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Leadership Essentials: Shaping Vision, Multiplying Influence, Defining Character (Paperback)

Ogden in Meyer have done a great service to the church by putting together this helpful leadership mentoring workbook in order to bring bonding and multiplying influence to ministry oriented leadership teams. I have personally used the book for several years know with church staff, elders, deacons, interns, and in order to train budding leaders. I have found that each environment I've used it in, (one on one, triads, and groups up to 12) there has been good discussion, accountability, and encouragement towards Christ-like development.

The workbook is broken down into four sections with three chapters in each section:

Part One: The Character of a Leader

1) Holy - Developing a vision of Christ-like Character
2) Habitual - Cultivating spiritual disciplines to sustain leadership
3) Humble - Keeping watch over your souls

Part Two: The Posture of a Leader

4) Kneeling - Embracing servant love as our primary model
5) Teaming - Building teams to accomplish our corporate mission
6) Stewardship - Stewarding gifts, passions and personality

Part Three: The Vision of Leaders

7) The Compelling Christ - Loving passionately the compelling Christ
8) Embracing the Kingdom - Engaging people in mission
9) Helping Others See - Lifting people out of lethargy and inertia

Part Four: The Shaping of a Leader

10) Taming Temptation - Facing the Dangers of money, sex, and power
11) Conquering Criticism - Handling criticism with humility and fortitude
12) Defeating Discouragement - Addressing disappointment, frustration, anger, and depression

Each chapter contains a core truth which flows from the Bible; a memory verse (there are actually several verses to memorize per chapter); an Inductive Bible Study with questions based on the specific topic being discussed; a classic reading on the topic; and leadership exercises or applications for each topic.

Overall it's an excellent tool to use with current leaders; potential leaders; or even for any small group that wants to grow in the area of leadership and Christ-likeness. I have found it to be one of the best leadership development tools I have used in ministry and therefore, recommend it highly. It also makes a terrific sequel to Ogden's previous workbook on Discipleship called Discipleship Essentials.

5.0 out of 5 stars Ogden, October 6, 2011

By 

K. Galloway - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Leadership Essentials: Shaping Vision, Multiplying Influence, Defining Character (Paperback)

This writer's message is continuing to be outstanding. Book is in great condition,
as well, for the reader or presenter.

0 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book, June 16, 2008

By 

J. DEVRIES - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Leadership Essentials: Shaping Vision, Multiplying Influence, Defining Character (Paperback)

This book, like Discipleship Essentials, is a key book from Ogden -- worth every bit -- am using it in mentoring younger people in leadership