In Steering through Chaos, Pastor Scott Wilson helps you, whether you are a fellow pastor or part of a church staff or leadership team, plan for change and develop a communication strategy that enlists support and builds momentum to lead individuals or entire congregations through the transition. Scott provides you as a leader the insight, inspiration, and courage you need to make the difficult choices that will keep your church moving forward. The challenges of leadership often multiply during times of transition. Blending perceptive, visionary principles with a passion to please God, Scott Wilson examines how to effectively lead your church through the process of change. Transitions addressed include the building of new facilities, the changing of staff structure, the addition of new services, and the transition to becoming a multisite ministry, among others. Each chapter includes discussion questions, making this an ideal resource for you, your staff, and your leadership team to read together. During the struggles of transition, doubts and fears will inevitably arise. At those moments, leaders need assurance that they have a real and authentic vision from God. Scott encourages you to follow the call and to lead with confidence, courage, and an unwavering commitment to push through the challenges that come with change.
Steering Through Chaos
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Endorsements for Steering through Chaos
Scott Wilson's book, Steering through Chaos, will give you important principles to help you endure the painful decisions during times of change. Scott's insights will help your church grow stronger and reach more people for Christ. I wish I'd had this book years ago.
--Craig Groeschel, Senior Pastor of LifeChurch.tv and author of It: How Churches and Leaders Can Get It and Keep It
Steering through Chaos is absolutely inspirational, but it's also earthy. I love the way Scott shares simple yet profound truths that have the potential to transform your leadership.
--Mark Batterson, Lead Pastor of National Community Church and author of Wild Goose Chase
Pastor Scott Wilson has done it, and now he's written the manual to show us how to do it too. Steering through Chaos is revelational, practical, insightful, and "principle packed." Every pastor and church leader needs to read this book.
--Robert Morris, Senior Pastor of Gateway Church, Southlake, TX
I've read many books, listened to many sermons, and studied many models dealing with the topic of change and transition, and I must say that Steering through Chaos is one of the best. In this book, Scott Wilson captures the pain that often comes when God takes your ministry to the next level, but at the same time, he gives the reader much needed hope for the journey. Through God's grace and Scott's specific gifts, Scott has penned a manual that is profound and practical, transparent and thought-provoking, challenging and comforting. I recommend it not only for pastors but for every leader in the body of Christ.
--Eddie L. Long, Senior Pastor of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church
Steering through Chaos shows us how God's greatest promises happen only when we submit to his deepest intrusions into our lives. Scott Wilson understands that genuine change is disruptive and, ultimately, a very personal experience. His transparent communication style leaves little doubt as to why he has become such a powerful young leader.
--George Wood, Superintendent of the Assemblies of God USA
Either you will lead your personal and professional transitions or your transitions will lead you. In either case, it is about steering through chaos. Scott Wilson personifies the principles in his book. His transparency and genius in assimilating painful transitional lessons will prevent shipwreck for those who are in the middle of change, and he provides a map for those still in the harbor.
--Dr. Samuel R. Every growing church experiences change. Today's church leader faces the intimidating task of moving from old ministry models to new ones. In his book, Scott Wilson shares invaluable insights learned from successfully navigating the transition at the Oaks Fellowship. His book will inspire and equip you.
--John Lindell, Lead Pastor of James River Assembly
Every senior leader who is honest with himself understands that the heart of leadership is providing direction through organizational transitions. Scott Wilson understands this truth and has lived it out in his ministry at the Oaks Fellowship. In his new book, you will have the opportunity to experience the journey and be encouraged and challenged by the principles he outlines.
--Greg Ligon, Vice President of Leadership Network
Scott Wilson hasn't written just another leadership cookbook supplying recipes that never quite seem to work as well as advertised. Steering through Chaos is written from his experiences with triumphs and struggles--from the real world where pastors live every day. Scott's passion to know God and his heart for lost people make his insights practical and spiritual at the same time. I recommend this book to anyone who has a vision, wants a vision, or has lost a vision. Scott Wilson has supplied us with clear guidance on how to discover and develop God's dream for our ministries.
--Earl Creps, Berkley church planter and author of Reverse Mentoring
Scott Wilson represents a fresh new generation of pastors. He has successfully taken the baton from one generation of leadership and transitioned his church to the next level with gusto. This book is a must-read for the thousands of churches and leaders who desperately need to reinvent their churches to become relevant or are fed up with the plateaus where they have settled.
--Kirk Pankratz, Senior Pastor of Church of the Harvest
Scott Wilson is a young church leader who understands and appreciates his spiritual heritage while at the same time is keenly cognizant that the church in America is undergoing unprecedented and necessary change. Out of this natural tension, his practical experience, and his love for the church, Scott is uniquely qualified to speak to the topic of transition in a manner that is worth the attention of any church leader who is grappling with it.
--Les Welk, Superintendent of the Northwest Ministry Network
It is a privilege for me to recommend Steering through Chaos because I know firsthand that Scott Wilson is an excellent leader. I've watched him grow one of the most dynamic churches in America. This book is filled with valuable content for anyone desiring to grow a church. Scott gives practical insight about navigating through the challenges of transition, all based on proven principles and actual experience. If you want to grow and climb to the next level in your life and ministry, this book is for you.
--Gerald Brooks, Senior Pastor of Grace Outreach Center, Plano, TX
I love a book that takes me on a leadership journey rather than merely teaches leadership lessons. All Christian leaders--no matter their position or the size and style of their churches--should read this with their whole team. I can't wait to read it with my entire staff.
--John McKinzie, Lead Pastor of Hope Fellowship, Frisco, TX
Scott Wilson is a great coach to me, the kind of mentor he describes in Steering through Chaos. His passion for Christ and his kingdom and for pastoral leadership is capsulized in this powerful book. Scott has painstakingly lived these principles, which can be applied to any ministry at any stage.
--Rick Thiemke, Lead Pastor of New Life Church, Yorkville, IL
This book confirms what I already knew to be true: Scott Wilson is an incredible coach for pastors. I've been involved in a coaching relationship with Pastor Scott since the beginning of my tenure as lead pastor, and he has helped me navigate transition time and time again. Steering through Chaos takes Pastor Scott's principles and makes them available to every church leader. Add this book to your list of resources for you and your team--today.
--Jeff Kossack, Lead Pastor of Mesa First Assembly of God
If anyone can write the book on leading through transition, it's Scott Wilson. God has used Scott to lead a great church through transition and into amazing effectiveness in reaching the lost for Christ. Scott's wisdom and experience have been priceless resources to me and the church I serve. This book puts his insight in print and is a gift to pastors and leaders who want to see God do great things through their lives.
--Chad Gilligan, Lead Pastor of Calvary Assembly of God, Toledo, OH
Scott's book has helped me understand the practical reality of leading a church through the necessary, and sometimes painful, transitions needed to become God's "unique thumbprint" in our community. His insights on leadership have made a profound impact on me and the leaders of our church. Scott's straightforward approach has helped our church take steps that we never knew how to take before. For the past year and a half, I've had the privilege of having Scott as a personal ministry consultant. I cannot imagine my ministry today without his insights. He has truly been a "dream releaser" in my life.
--Pastor Wayne Putman, Church of God of Exeter, CA
From the Back Cover
Don't predict on change in your church...plan on it
Steering through Chaos helps you plan for change by developing a communication strategy, enlisting support, and building momentum to lead your staff an congregation through transitions. Scott Wilson provides the insight, inspiration, and courage you need to make the difficult choices that will keep your church moving forward.
The challenges of leadership often multiply during times of transition. Wilson examines the building of new facilities, the changing of staff structure, the addition of new services, and the transition to becoming a multisite ministry, among others. Each chapter includes discussion questions.
"Steering through Chaos will help your church grow stronger and reach more people for Christ. I wish I had this book years ago."
- Craig Groeschel, Senior Pastor of LifeChurch.tv and author of It
"I love the way Scott shares simple yet profound truths that have potential to transform your leadership."
- Mark Batterson, Lead Pastor of National Community Church and author of Primal
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More About the Author
Scott has been in full-time pastoral ministry for more than 20 years. He is the Senior Pastor of The Oaks with locations in Dallas, Red Oak and Mesquite Texas. In the last three years, the church has experienced robust growth, nearly tripling in size - now ministering to more than 3000 people each week. The church currently offers five worship experiences every weekend at three campus locations to accommodate the growing congregation. Scott is the CEO and founder of Scott Wilson Consulting, an organization that exists to come alongside church and marketplace leaders to enable them to achieve the full potential of what God has called them to do. His vision is to strengthen and empower God's leaders to fulfill their destiny and dreams. Scott and his father, Dr. Tom Wilson, lead one of the most innovative public school systems in the State of Texas. Life Charter School currently educates over 3000 students in four locations in the Dallas area. Under Scott's visionary leadership, The Oaks School of Leadership (formerly known as Master's Commission of Dallas) was founded in 1993. This school of ministry is in partnership with the Southwestern Assembly of God University in Waxahachie, Texas, and all students receive a quality, fully accredited college education. The primary purpose of OSL is to train and equip the best leaders in the Kingdom of God and to be a leadership pipeline for the multi-site ministry of The Oaks and it's partners around the world. Scott is the author of two books: The newly released The Next Level: A Message of Hope for Hard Times (Baxter Press) and Steering Through Chaos: Mapping a Clear Direction in the midst of transition and change (Zondervan). Steering Through Chaos (available for pre-order through Amazon) provides leaders the insight, inspiration, and courage they need to anticipate change, prepare for transitions, and make the difficult choices that will keep their churches moving forward. Scott is a loving husband and proud father. Scott and his wife, Jenni, have three boys: Dillon, Hunter, and Dakota. The Wilsons live in the Dallas area.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Choosing Strategic Change for Your Church,
By
This review is from: Steering through Chaos: Mapping a Clear Direction for Your Church in the Midst of Transition and Change (Paperback)
By the time most churches choose to change, it is almost too late. They are in crisis and decline. They are experiencing opposition rather than momentum. Scott Wilson's Steering through Chaos offers church leaders valuable insights about how to make changes while their churches are growing and experiencing momentum so that they experience greater levels of faithfulness and fruitfulness in ministry.
Scott is a personal friend; senior pastor of The Oaks Fellowship in Dallas, Texas; and an ordained Assemblies of God minister. The insights he presents in this book are biblically grounded, organizationally savvy, field-tested, and passionately presented. I have read many books on church leadership and church growth. They apply best practices from the business world to the church world with real insight and effectiveness. Scott does so here as well, where appropriate. But he also offers this timely reminder: "Certainly, we can learn valuable lessons by looking at the way a business organization is operated and led, but ultimately we need to remember that Christ is the head of the universal church and of every local body of believers. The church doesn't exist to make a pastor's plans a reality; it exists to live out Christ's vision for his body and for our community." Scott's big on a church carrying out Christ's vision for the community. He writes, "Vision isn't something I determine--it's something I discover as I walk with God day after day." Christ's vision for the church keeps leaders from small-mindedness, but also from big-headedness. The problem is that pastors let their sight get focused on things other than the vision Christ has for their churches. When pastors choose to focus on Christ's vision for their churches, they are choosing to steer into chaos rather than out of it. Throughout this book, Scott reinforces the idea that choosing to make visionary changes in the way your church does things creates chaos, as people are required to change settled habits of doing things and embrace new strategies. This creates relational tension, which most pastors work hard to avoid, but which Scott counsels to embrace since they offer opportunities for growth and renewed commitment. Relationships are central to the ministry of the church. "People aren't here to help me [the church's leader] fulfill the vision. They are the vision!" Relational touch must be established before, during, and after chaos. And communication is central. So is prayer. Scott's book is one of the few books on church leadership I've read that includes an entire chapter on corporate prayer. But this practice flows directly from the belief that the church's vision is Christ's vision. It is through prayer that God inspires us to follow his vision for the church. And prayer is also helpful for bringing people together during times of relational tension. "Too often we avoid corporate prayer when we need it most: in times of tension and turmoil." In both the chapter on prayer and the chapter on relationship, Scott teaches the concept of "cascades." When we communicate, we ought to communicate with leadership, who communicate to followers in ever-widening circles of the organization. We should pray in the same way. Cascading communication and cascading prayer are two valuable tools Scott teaches. I don't want to do a chapter-by-chapter summary of Scott's book, which has many excellent suggestions. But let me include two further items Scott writes about: celebration and coaching. "Gratitude for what God has done and will do," Scott writes, "should be a natural and normal part of our life and ministry." Part of that gratitude is expressed in telling stories of what God is doing through the members of the church. Too often, church leaders don't celebrate the small wins. Scott is leading The Oaks Fellowship toward creating a culture of storytelling in which testimonies and praise for others are a regular and important part of the church's life. Finally, coaching. Scott considers getting a life coach the most significant principle he teaches in the book. He writes: "Many pastors remain some of the most isolated and lonely people in the world." As the former pastor of a small church, I myself know how those pastors feel. We also know what it's like to be discouraged and to feel resourceless and burned out. A life coach can be, in Scott's words: "an accurate mirror," "a vision stretcher," "a gifted strategist," and "a trusted confidant." No church leader, especially not the senior pastor, should be without a mentor. And those leaders in the church who are so gifted should be coaches. I strongly recommend Steering through Chaos. It shows church leaders how to choose, communicate, and implement strategic change when momentum is at their backs rather than decline in their faces. And it does so by contextualizing good organizational practices in the framework of a vital spirituality.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
From The Strasbourg Inn: Stearing Through Chaos,
By
This review is from: Steering through Chaos: Mapping a Clear Direction for Your Church in the Midst of Transition and Change (Paperback)
Why you should read this book
Scott Wilson loves the local church and he loves to see God's kingdom advance. He says that in this book we're "addressing God-sized visions, kingdom purposes, and major transitions that shape the future and effectiveness of our churches" (24). Through the course of the book he opens up how to see transitions in your church, garner their momentum at the right time, and propel towards a vision of where God is leading. But managerial techniques are not the main purpose of this book. Pastor Wilson's main burden "is that the people who read [this book] will come to the conclusion that they care far more about God's calling than their own comfort...[because] without passion for Christ, strategy is only manipulation of others for selfish gain" (39-40). Wilson discusses how to gain clear vision, not as a magical formula of prayer, but in our day-to-day walk with God. With clear vision, he shares wisdom on how to take advantage of momentum so for perpetuating growth. At this point he makes the wise observation that as a church vision and excitement only come from the Lord. Thus he stresses the importance of corporate prayer and gives some advice on how to approach leading your church through this. He ends the book with advice on how to avoid major problems in growth, keeping the pastor's soul fresh, and how to keep vision and faithfulness into the future. Two concerns about the book I enjoyed the book and found it very helpful. However, there are two observations I would make. 1. While this book has loads of godly wisdom and principles on leadership that are thoroughly Biblical, Pastor Wilson does not tie them down to the Biblical text very often. In a book on pastoral leadership, this is a detriment to helping them pastor according to God's Word. For example, the chapter on corporate prayer has only one reference to Scripture, while the entire book of Acts is a goldmine for proving the power of his points! He does this well in Chapter 10 in applying Hebrews 12, and I wish he had done this elsewhere in the book. 2. Pastor Wilson is very adamant on a pastor's need for a mentor. He says, "If you don't do anything else I suggest in these pages, find a life coach" (174). Specifically, he recommends getting a profession life coach. He says, "to avoid sticky conflict of interests, I looked for someone outside our church" (163). The point of a pastor (or any Christian for that matter!) needing a mentor in the faith is obviously Biblical. Every Timothy needs their Paul; every Elisha needs their Elijah. The concern I have here is the concept of a "life-coach" outside of the local church. The church is given to care for each other, support each other, and minister to each other - pastors included. In my view, this is an argument for the essential nature of a plurality of elders for a healthy local church. As I would see Scripture teaching, these pastors care for each other; correcting, encouraging, and leading each other. (Would Paul have thought it better for Peter to have a life coach to help him see his sinful behavior towards the Gentiles?) My concern here is that Pastor Wilson's obviously Biblical advice is clothed in such a way so as to undermine the robust local church that God intends to build. I know that undermining the vitality of the eldership in a local church is not Pastor Wilson's intentions. Nonetheless, I present the observation as a concern for consideration. Three things you should learn from Pastor Scott There were three characteristics about Pastor Scott that permeate through the book: wisdom, humility, and the Holy Spirit. Pastor Scott is a humble man. This is seen in how he responds to correction from the Lord, and processes the needs of his church. You should trust humble men. His wisdom in following the Scriptures on how to care for people, for their enjoyment of God and active involvement in the local church, is an example to follow. And you see, from cover to cover, a heavy leaning on the Holy Spirit for life and vision that sets this book apart. What struck me about this book is that Pastor Scott takes the best of what there is to learn from business and management wisdom and subjects it to the work of the Holy Spirit for the purposes of Christ. Verdict I think this is a good book, and I would recommend men thinking about pastoral ministry, or pastors who are currently working through transitions as a church, to read this book. The book is admittedly very narrow in his application to the broad demands of pastoral ministry, yet it is unique and helpful to this particular need in leadership. But due to Pastor Wilson's example of humility and vision, I think it is helpful to read even for those who might not consider themselves in the throws of chaotic change in their church. Review from: [...] ** I did receive this book for free from the publisher for review, but the comments and thoughts are entirely my own.**
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Pleasantly Surprised,
By
This review is from: Steering through Chaos: Mapping a Clear Direction for Your Church in the Midst of Transition and Change (Paperback)
I was a little skeptical in reading this book because I have been fed up with most of the church growth material that I have come across. My reason is that I usually feel that there is a disconnect on the spiritual side of being a leader found in most church growth stuff. But I was pleasantly surprised in reading "Steering Through the Chaos." I won't give away too much of what is said, but I really feel that the author gives a good balance between listening to God for a vision and then trying to move the church in that way. While I don't think there is a fail safe manual on church transition, I believe that this book gives some very good thinking points in trying to navigate such a time. I would recommend this book and in fact I am passing it along to someone who I think could benefit from hearing the author's story and how he steered through the chaos.
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