LeadershipNext: Changing Leaders in a Changing Culture [Paperback]

Eddie Gibbs (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 15, 2005

Voted "Best Outreach Leadership Training Finalist" in the Third Annual Year's Best Outreach Resources for 2005

Our culture is constantly changing, often faster than we can adapt to it. Christian leaders struggle not only to acquire new skills and insights but also to unlearn what they already know. As both the church and the world change, so too must Christian leaders and their very notions of leadership.

Veteran church growth expert Eddie Gibbs maps out how Christian leadership must change in light of new global realities. Styles of leadership are changing, from hierarchies to networks and from compartmentalization to connectivity. Gibbs assesses the dynamics of leadership teams, identifies healthy leadership traits, and looks to how new leaders are identified and developed. This incisive analysis is a comprehensive resource for current and emerging leaders serving in churches, parachurch organizations and beyond.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"One generation of leadership looks at another--from experience to emergence. Eddie Gibbs brings experience and scholarship to understanding changing church culture and younger church leaders." (Leith Anderson, pastor, Wooddale Church, and author of Leadership That Works)

"Eddie Gibbs is a wise and seasoned observer of the church throughout the world. He has worked with and trained several generations of leaders across all denominational boundaries and many cultural contexts. This book identifies the challenges confronting leaders in a rapidly shifting world. With a passion for the kingdom and a love for the church, Eddie outlines a way forward for leaders in a complex and swiftly shifting world. This is an important and helpful book." (Alan Roxburgh, President, Missional Leadership Institute)

"No matter what time period or culture we are in, there is always a need for leadership. However, how we lead does change depending on the people, the place, and the culture and values. In our emerging culture, we need to rethink many aspects of leadership in our churches. This book gives great insight on how to do that." (Dan Kimball, author of The Emerging Church, and pastor of Vintage Faith Church)

"Eddie Gibbs has done it again! First he helped see the church of the future with ChurchNext and now he shows us the kind of leadership necessary to bring that church into being. LeadershipNext is nothing short of a primer on leadership. I fully intend to absorb its content because now I have a blueprint to live into." (Greg Ogden, executive pastor of discipleship, Christ Church of Oak Brook, and author of Discipleship Essentials and Transforming Discipleship)

"Eddie Gibbs has God's heart for our hurting world, and a tactician's head for winning the war for souls on the frontline in the materialistic West. He is absolutely right: it is a new day demanding fresh ways to talent-spot, mentor and release the missional leaders needed for the apostolic work Jesus has left to his church. Young apostles arise! Older leaders, treasure and release your Timothys to their harvest duties! The Lord of the harvest has given them the help and strength of the Holy Spirit!" (Brian Dodd, author of Empowered Church Leadership)

"LeadershipNext tells it like it is. It's a great resource for leaders who want to be both biblical and adaptable to the culture. I especially recommend it to any pastor who is starting out or burning out in ministry." (Sarah Sumner, associate professor of ministry and theology, Haggard School of Theology, Azusa Pacific University, author, Men and Women in the Church)

"LeadershipNext: Changing Leaders in a Changing Culture by Eddie Gibbs is a book to be placed in the hands of every young leader with the words 'Walk in the light of Eddie's words and you will work effectively and not go off the path.' I've known and profited from a friendship with Eddie for twenty years; he is a competent guide to effective ministry in contemporary society." (Todd Hunter, President, Alpha USA)

About the Author

Eddie Gibbs is Donald A. McGavran Professor of Church Growth at the School of Intercultural Studies, Fuller Theological Seminary (Pasadena, California). His seminars for church leaders about leadership in the emerging church have been held in the United Kingdom, Denmark, Norway, Australia and around the United States. Gibbs has also written several books, including Good News Is for Sharing, Ten Growing Churches, In Name Only and ChurchNext.

Product Details

• Paperback: 237 pages
• Publisher: IVP Books (August 15, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0830832831
• ISBN-13: 978-0830832835
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #297,795 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Insights for Christian Leaders March 10, 2013

By Zach Sewell

Format:Paperback

I recommend this book to any Christian leader who is giving thought to the style of leadership traits that are respected among young people and other young leaders.

I have read it and review parts of it regularly. It's fresh and insightful.

My favorite line from the book is: "Leadership is about connecting, not controlling."

3.0 out of 5 stars Next Possibilities July 14, 2012

By Andrew

Format:Paperback

Eddie Gibbs continues to be authentic after writing Church Next. Chapter one sets the pace for redefining what leadership is. He consistently compares the secular and church images concluding that they are the same, at least from first impressions. A further comparison that carries a strong theme in most chapters is the defining of words. The secular image of `charismatic' is an over bloated ego but in the world of church is a gifted leader in the Holy Spirit. Another consistent method used throughout the book is comparing leaders of yesterday with today. It appears that the risk takers of yesterday have become the conservative non-risk takers of today - hence the title Leadership next.

He continues in chapter two provoking the reader that leadership styles must change. Gibbs covers three areas that are `signs' to the `times' we live in. From economic developments, demographic changes and the age of information he concludes that these are major reasons for styles of leadership to change. All three areas affect every culture therefore become relevant to his thought. There is a slight assumption that everyone is, or will be at some point, thinking like a postmodern. I found this a little ambiguous. There are some cultures that exist on tradition and repetition rather than forward thinking thought. Gibbs does not give this much attention in his book. If anything, he assumed that all under thirty-five's are shaped by postmodernism. Although this may be true for white America it cannot be true for Latino, Asian, African American or Native American cultures.

Following chapters tackle the difficult issues of network and hierarchies leadership styles and traits. He does draw up excellent characteristics of a Christian leader than can be transposed into any culture. I felt this needed expounding a little more. What became apparent as I read further into the book was his passion to recover missional leadership in missional churches. He addresses the `transaction' leadership of keeping the organization in check and running rather than a fluid movement in keeping with original biblical practice.

His emphasis on connecting in teams and empowering the individual to operate within a team but keep their authenticity is an excellent thought, but tough to practice. Coupled with this is an excellent chapter on facing the cost of leadership. This particularly caught my attention within my own ministry context. Surviving criticism should be a compulsory class for every emerging leader for the missional church! Gibbs correctly states that a leader cannot escape criticism. Enduring loneliness is a subject many authors do not address that Gibbs has fully embraced. His biblical examples of King David paint a clear picture of a leader who will accomplish an assignment from God with personal cost. His conclusion is an inviting one of leaving a legacy using Jesus as the ultimate model that has survived and thrived for over two thousand years. He correctly states that there is a difference between success and fruitfulness. Leaving a legacy for the next generation of leaders is certainly a fruitful ideal.

By Andrew Fox authr of Change Through Challenge

5.0 out of 5 stars An exceptional work from 2005 that is relevant in 2012 and beyond May 1, 2012

By P. Lee

Format:Paperback

Eddie Gibbs condensed the wisdom and insights he gained through 40+ years of his experience in mission, church leadership, and research into this book. But it doesn't end there. He brought that wisdom in dialogue with the contemporary, post-modern, missional context. And he is successful in bringing them together in this book. I highly recommend it to leaders young and old. This is not just for older leaders. Its timeless insights will be beneficial to leaders of all age, and perhaps especially younger leaders.