Leading from the Second Chair: Serving Your Church, Fulfilling Your Role, and Realizing Your Dreams [Hardcover]

Mike Bonem (Author), Roger Patterson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2005

LEADING FROM THE SECOND CHAIR will raise awareness of the need for strong leaders in secondary positions. It will describe the value they can bring to their organization and to primary leaders when they are serving at their full potential. It will reshape the way they view their role, with an emphasis on their own responsibility as leaders. It recognizes the unique challenges and frustrations of serving in a subordinate position and equips these leaders with the attitudes and skills that they will need to survive and thrive in this new paradigm.

Because of the scarcity of resources for second chair leaders, particularly those in the church, this book will offer a practical way to improve the performance of any organization. Leading Congregational Change discussed the importance of a "vision community"--a diverse group of key members who discern and implement the vision for a congregation--to guide the transformation of a church. This work will extend the theme of an empowered leadership team as we explore how individual clergy and laity can lead effectively.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"In Leading From the Second Chair, Mike Bonem and Roger Patterson take a fresh and rare approach to leadership by unleashing some invaluable principles and guidelines specific to healing to the second tier leader. Wherever you are in your organization, this book is sure to help you appreciate the unique challenges and valuable contributions of all those who lead from the second chair."
-- Ed Young, senior pastor, Fellowship Church

"Bonem and Paterson tell the truth about leading from the second chair. Leaders will be set free to lead to their true potential because of the practical and profound insights in this book."
-- Dan Reiland, executive pastor, Crossroads Community Church

Find Out How to Lead Effectively—Even When You're Not in Charge

"Somebody said the hardest instrument to play is second fiddle. But since Jesus had one or two things to say about serving and submitting, this is a rich field. Mike Bonem and Roger Patterson have addressed a key need with wisdom and clarity."
—John Ortberg, author, If You Want to Walk on Water, Get Out of the Boat; teaching pastor, Menlo Park Presbyterian Church

"The mission of an organization either hangs together or falls apart at the critical interface between first and second chairs. This helpful volume from seasoned practitioners identifies and addresses the character, competencies, and chemistry that make for effective second chair leadership. It's a book for you, no matter which seat you're in."
—Reggie McNeal, author, The Present Future; director, Leadership Development, South Carolina Baptist Convention

"The Bible is full of strategic leadership partnerships: Moses and Aaron, Mordecai and Esther, Paul and Silas, and even the Trinity. Each one demonstrates individual gifts being cojoined for maximum ministry effect. Leading from the Second Chair articulates and celebrates the necessity of God's strategic partnerships."
—Mike Slaughter and Kim Miller, lead pastor and creative director, Ginghamsburg Church

"If you are a second chair leader, are considering a second chair role, or work with a second chair leader, this book is a must-read! Mike Bonem and Roger Patterson have done a superb job of defining the living paradoxes a second chair leader deals with day in and day out. Don't consider a second chair role without reading this book first."
—Warren Schuh, executive pastor, Calvary Community Church

"Leading from the Second Chair targets the misunderstood and often unrecognized paradoxes of empowered second chair influence. Leaders in the twenty-first century church can avoid tragic pitfalls while leveraging the powerful contribution of second chair leaders by understanding and engaging the experience-forged insights in this important book."
—Jared Roth, vice president, International Church of the Foursquare Gospel

 

From the Inside Flap

Leading from the Second Chair

They say it's lonely at the top. And it can be even lonelier when you are almost at the top. Church leaders who hold second chair positions are under tremendous pressure. They are expected do to their jobs and provide leadership but defer to the top leader, too. It's a demanding balancing act. How can they lead effectively while serving under someone else's leadership?

Leading from the Second Chair offers an invaluable resource to leaders who serve in second (and third and fourth) chair roles, enabling them to become more productive, proactive, and fulfilled. The book reveals the paradoxes of second chair leadership. These leaders must be subordinate to the top leader yet lead in their own right. They should be deep in their expertise but wide in perspective. And they must be content in their jobs yet remain enthusiastic about their dreams for the future.

Mike Bonem and Roger Patterson share their own and others' experiences of failure and success in this vital role. They offer support and practical advice for reshaping the way second chair leaders can serve well and improve the overall performance of their church or organization.

Leading from the Second Chair equips readers with the positive attitudes, skills, and strategies needed to become powerful leaders who will survive and thrive in God's service.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 208 pages
• Publisher: Jossey-Bass; 1 edition (September 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 078797739X
• ISBN-13: 978-0787977399
• Product Dimensions: 6.4 x 0.8 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #156,878 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Paradoxes abound May 31, 2008

By Matthew Gunia VINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover

"Leading From the Second Chair" is written by Mike Bonem and Roger Patterson, two veterans of leading congregations while serving in subordinate roles. The book is to help other church support staff (Assistant or Associate Pastors, Youth Directors, Evangelism Directors, Worship Leaders) to be effective leaders in their local congregation while also fiercely loyal followers of the Senior Pastor.

Bonem and Patterson argue that, in order to be an effective "second-chair leader," a person must embrace several sets of paradoxes. They must be fully subordinate and loyal to the Senior Pastor, yet they must also proactively lead the congregation (take initiative, build relationships, make and carry out plans). Second-chair leaders must develop an expertise in a particular area of church work, yet at the same time must always keep the congregation's "big picture" in mind. Finally, the second-chair leader must learn to find contentment, happiness, and joy in his position, while at the same time feeling the restlessness that comes from ambitious dreams.

The authors attempt to tackle a difficult subject in this book, and the mantra of "embrace paradoxes" does capture the confusing reality of second-chair leadership. They appear to have a good grasp of what challenges face the second-chair leader and they do a good job of confronting the reader (who is presumed to be a second-chair leader) and calling him to repentance if he is guilty of insubordination, lack of initiative, laziness, or otherwise failing to embrace the various paradoxes. In short, they call a sin a sin and call the reader to repentance.

Yet, while they appear to understand the unique situation of second-chair leaders and repeat continually the difficulty of such a position, the author's words never really connected with this reader. The authors give vague examples, they give thumbnail sketches of what other second-chair leaders experienced, and they speak in generalities far too much to make a real connection with the reader. Second-chair leaders who turn to this book for help need to know that the authors really, truly understand what the second-chair leader is going through (complete with all the frustration, discouragement that go along with poor leadership teams, and all the synergistic joys that come with a highly functional team). But rather than encounter the reader at an emotional level, the reader is told "we know what it's like, trust us," and then he is given broad generalities.

It should be noted that the book makes many assumptions about the reader (which may or may not be the case with you). The authors use a variety of real-life examples of multi-staff ministries, but they all fit the same general mode--wealthy mega-churches with huge staffs and non-traditional ministries (e.g. multi-site models; outreach through drama and praise band; heavy college campus ministry; coffeehouse worship). Those working in smaller, traditional churches, or those who emphasize depth in ministry rather than breadth might not find this book as helpful. Also, the authors assume that the Senior Pastor is a driven, hard-working visionary; those who find their congregation or first-chair leader stagnant may not benefit from this book.

In all, there's nothing really bad about "Leading from the Second Chair," but there's nothing really great about it either. Mildly recommended for anyone on a team ministry, whether first-, second-, or third-chair. Yet, realize that while this book might be a discussion facilitator, it is certainly not the definitive work on the subject.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Read September 12, 2005

By R. H. Fairbanks

Format:Hardcover

"Leading from the Second Chair" is a very well-written book that flows easily, packed with applicable advice and illustrations. When I decided to read this book, I was expecting it to focus solely on leadership issues within the church. However, as I read through it, I kept applying the sound leadership lessons to my secular job! Very simply, I could not put down "Leading from the Second Chair." As all of us answer to an ultimate "first chair," most of us also answer to or work for someone else. Good, practical tips on how to blossom and be content as an effective leader in a subordinate role is what this book is all about. I think anyone who decides to read "Leading from the Second Chair" will be glad they did!

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Resource For the Entire Pastoral Staff to Read Together August 30, 2006

By R. Kirkham VINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

IF . . .

Staff communication and Egos are healthy enough to take it.

This book elevates the role of second chair pastoral staff. As the lead pastor of a church I appreciate the public acknowledgment of the immense value of second chair leadership. Any senior pastor who feels a need to micromanage or minimize the role of others is guilty of leading the church to mediocrity, sort of like an engine only running on one cylinder. I always want my second chair leaders to be LEADERS in every sense of the word.

This book also cautions second chair leaders to check their personal egos at the door when they enter. Subordination is a great American weakness that does great damage to the church. Often second chair leaders excell in vision, energy, and drive, but too often are weak in areas of savy and experience. If the first chair leader feels threatened, things quickly go from bad to worse. This book builds savy.

This book is timely, important, and could potentially prevent many ministry wrecks. I suggest that every multiple staff church use it as a study guide for a series of staff meetings. I wish it had come along earlier in my ministry.