Customer Reviews

LeadershipNext: Changing Leaders in a Changing Culture

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

The information found in this book is priceless of leaders, particularly those church leaders in today's society. Gibbs takes a close look at leadership as it relates to today's society, and the affect on one's ministry will certainly be profound! Church leaders of the new Millenium need to read this book!