Customer Reviews

They Smell Like Sheep: Spiritual Leadership for the 21st Century

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I think the author does a good job to begin to encourage us to remember that Jesus' view of those who want to serve with Him is a shepherding/pastorial/servant view. Not a leader of an organization; but a person who cares for those whom they have been entrusted with...who REALLY cares for THEM as PEOPLE. He offers some reasonalbe ideas on how to pursue living and serving like that, but I found the primary value of reading the book to be that he has begun to invite us to ask the right questions of ourselves & our christian 'leaders'.

Don't expect to handle and lead people without getting yourself a little "smelly" sometimes. And don't plan on reading Anderson's excellent book without some heart stretching and soul searching. This is a must-read for anyone whom God has called to pastoral leadership. Get your hands on this book and God will get His hand on you!

Anderson lays down practical guidelines for Christian leadership in practical terms. He breaks down the book into useful sections such as mentoring. There's plenty in the book for you even if you aren't a leader in the church because the book provides excellent hints for reaching the lost and your Christian friends. My personal favorite part of the book was the great way that Mr. Anderson weaves practical experience into the rugged world of Christian leadership.

The strength of "They Smell Like Sheep" is the general direction of the book. Dr. Lynn Anderson's theme is that elders should focus upon knowing, loving, serving, and nurturing a number of Christians (first and foremost) rather than attending endless board meetings. Although Andersons' arguments are compelling, he leaves us with a number of unanswered questions, including: "Who will make the decisions necessary for a church to advance?" Anderson is right to encourage elders not to get wrapped up in micromanaging or getting out of their domain, thus freeing up boards to focus upon more, if not completely, hands-on ministry.

Anderson divides his book into two main sections: "A Biblical Look at Spiritual Leadership Principles (The Sort of Things Leaders Do)" and "A Biblical Look at Elders (The Sort of People They Are)."

The first section of the book is the strongest and presents church leaders (particularly elders) as Shepherds, Mentors, and Equippers. He is to be commended for advocating leadership based upon relationship and earned influence, not a chain of command emphasis. Although much of this material can be found elsewhere, Anderson makes this material palatable to the average layman, especially those who have never been taught principles of spiritual leadership (as opposed to corporate leadership). This section is a great primer for elders and other church leaders and worth the price of the book.

The second section is weaker. The author addresses some of the texts regarding the qualification of elders, but does so in an unsatisfying way, leaving a mountain of unanswered questions. For example, he assumes that the word "elder" must mean an older man, but words change meaning and he does not even acknowledge the existence of diversity among evangelical opinion (for example, Timothy oversaw the elders and appointed them, even though he was a mere 30 or 35 years old). Anderson does not demonstrate a serious grappling with the meaning of the text.

If the book is weak in particulars, the overall strength is its broad themes. His final few chapters address the meaning of authority and the words used to express this authority in the New Testament.

Although his attempt to prove elders should not pull rank through retranslating the Greek words is suspect, his point is well taken. Elders should not pull rank and play the authority game -- not because the Greek words have been mistranslated all these centuries -- but because I Peter 5:1-4 tells us not to do so. So Anderson gets us to the right point, yet not because of his exegesis, but in spite of it. His argument of leading through moral suasion is right on target! This is an absolutely key thought.

As a primer book for getting the feel of the right attitude toward serving as an elder, this book is great. But if you are looking for a scholarly book that addresses all the issues and evaluates a number of interpretations, you might be disappointed. This volume is definitely worth reading and sharing with fellow board members.

With sufficient depth for any theologian, but as down to earth as the parables of Jesus, this is a book that will inspire and challenge church leadership.

The premise is startling in its simplicity -- The true shepherd spends a lot of time in the field with his sheep -- so much time that he smells like them. The true leader who models his life after Christ spends a great deal of time wherever his people are.

Shepherding, according to Dr. Anderson, includes the dust and sweat and smell of the field.

This is an easy book to read, a difficult and challenging book to implement.

Anderson's book is an excellent work that everyone who wants to lead in any capacity at a church should read. This has nothing to do with the typical things discussed at a church board meeting. This is strictly about God's methods for nurturing people.

Another reviewer faults the book for not answering the questions of who will run things, how will the business of the church get done, etc. That's exactly what this book is about! THe business of a church, Anderson is saying, is to raise the people up in God and that's where the focus will be. That done, the rest will take care of itself.

Mr. Anderson is right on target as for the overall direction he takes on what qualities an elder should have. Most churches I am associated with seem to pick elders based on their secular professions. This is not to say that men in positions of authority or leadership in their jobs aren't qualified to be elders. A lot of times it seems that men who are CEO's, lawyers, doctors, and such are not people oriented and they seem distant. What Mr. Anderson does in his book is to direct us to such attributes as loving, feeling, sympathizing, and nurturing versus dictating, directing, and otherwise bossing folks around. There must be a delicate balance in all of these attributes. There will be times when elders must make decisions and dictate direction but also they must be a group of men that the people they serve can go to when they are hurting, sick, or weak. Elders need to serve as the Lord would have them do according to scripture. Mr. Anderson's book helps us to better understand the scriptures and apply them.

This book is a good tool to introduce the leadership (eldership) of the local church to eldership. This book is a non-confrontational way to show what elders ought to be doing, especially since many elders in the local church do not have a firm grasp of what they're supposed to be doing. The book is best used as a "baby step" into deeper studies with the elders in the church.

On the other hand, it must be kept in mind that the book is primarily an introduction to biblical eldership. The emphasis is upon the word "introduction." Don't expect any in-depth Bible study. There are many stories and illustrations throughout the text to the point of being superfluous. In other words, it is like a typical (fluffy) practical ministry book.

Doctrinally, the book is conservative and does a decent job outlining the biblical teaching about eldership, like shepherding, mentoring, and equipping. It also discusses briefly the qualifications of an elder. However, there are a few biblical texts which the author takes out of context. So, one has to be watchful for this.

In short, the book is recommended to be used for simply an introduction. Do not expect anything too didactic.

This is a Kingdom Focused book. If you are seeking your denominational character here, you probably will not find it. It's new, but it's not, the ideas that are presented. The forms Dr. Anderson brings to the forefront are his interpretations of Administration in the Church or at least a Biblical formation of the Church and its Leaders.

He points out that many of today's "rules of governing" are not biblical, but are hierarchical in the traditions of men. Dr. Anderson points out terms that are not cherished in today's church, such as Pastor or Shepherd.

This book resembles the Word of God in ways that will take you back to look at yourself. Much as the way the book of James does. When you read this study, you'll find yourself doing a "Check-up" on yourself. Perhaps even bringing in some "Ethics" of Ministry.

Buy this one!

In Christ, Amen.

Anderson does a great job at defining the function of biblical leadership. Too many churches are hampered by appointing leaders who have not shown any propensitiy to lead (i.e. they lack a 'flock'), or are appointed for reasons which do not match with the biblical characteristics put forth by both Peter and Paul (i.e. heavy donator, family connection, et. al.). No church needs "Positional" leaders - all churches need and long for "Functional" leaders.

If you are looking for a good, well written, easy to read book that can not only open up discussion among your current leadership but also help you to recognize your true biblical leaders for the future, then this book is a must read - and a must discuss among your leadership.