LeadershipNext: Changing Leaders in a Changing Culture [Paperback]

Eddie Gibbs (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 2, 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 2, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0830832831
• ISBN-13: 978-0830832835
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #222,902 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Illustrative of the Leadership Styles Needed for Today, December 24, 2009

By 

C. Stephans - See all my reviews
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This review is from: LeadershipNext: Changing Leaders in a Changing Culture (Paperback)

Eddie Gibbs brings a vast array of experience and research to LeadershipNext, so if anything, readers will get an index of many of the new of trends and writing in leadership. Gibbs puts the information on leadership, churches, culture and trends together in a coherent book for leaders of churches. He contrasts quaint styles of leadership that have become ineffective with styles of leadership based on new science, the early church, business models and changes in culture that have proven more effective in "post-Christendom." Gibbs applies his leadership theories and data to church models, both traditional and emerging.

Gibbs also provides warnings to leaders in order to avoid pitfalls and failure. He advocates a team-building, participative style of leadership that accomodates the needs of emerging churches.

For church leaders, I think this book is a must read, as it is based on the reality of the culture and the reality of traditional models of churches. Gibbs understands the paradigms and dynamics of both churches and cultures and shows how leadership must interact in these contexts to help build the kingdom of God.

5.0 out of 5 stars If you are a leader over 35, this book should be on your reading list., April 6, 2009

By 

Timothy D. Balow "Tbalow" (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: LeadershipNext: Changing Leaders in a Changing Culture (Paperback)

To echo what was said in my title, if you are a leader over the age of 35, LeadershipNext by Eddie Gibbs should be on your reading list for the sake of your development, and for the sanity of the potential leaders that are in their twenty-somethings. As a leader in my mid-twenties, I genuinely sense that I am misunderstood with many of my comments, values, and outlook whenever I dialogue with older leaders. When I say "older" leaders, I do mean anyone that is over the age of 35. That may sound like a crass threshold to establish, but the reality is, the continuous change of our culture means that the rate of information is forming (almost more than ever) the emerging generation.

Please, if you are a Christian leader or pastor that wants to understand leadership for the next generation NOW, then read this book. It has somewhat of a scholarly bent to it, but it is an enjoyable read and will deeply challenge your thinking and the potential "unlearnings" that you may need to embark on moving into the 21st century.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Geared for the older generation, June 4, 2008

By 

Jon Christensen "jonduke" (Los Angeles, CA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: LeadershipNext: Changing Leaders in a Changing Culture (Paperback)

Gibbs has a great and simple message. Overall I think he uses way to much explaining and over complicates things. This book is designed to tell older style leaders to convert to new style skills.