I wanted to call attention to two books I'm currently reading, both of which so far appear to be great reads for church leaders. And they're not Christian books.
I don't want to jump the gun on either work, but they are both really good in two very different ways. The Organizational Champion takes a new view on leadership. While we typically think of leaders as those in charge of an organization, author (and Arkansas native) Mike Thompson argues that organizational champions can be found in any number of areas. This is especially encouraging for those of us who are not in a shepherding role of a church or ministry, but nonetheless want to be a part of positive change, efficiency, and growth within. And though this book is not aimed at church leaders, it provides a framework through which leaders and change agents within any organization can gain ideas, inspiration, and motivation to take initiative.
The Present is an allegorical exchange between a young and old man. The old man, playing the role of sage instructor, encourages the young man to focus on the gift of the moment. While I am (in some respects) a planner, I too often forget about opportunities I have in the here and now. Most people I'm around seem to do the same thing. What would happen if those leading our churches and the ministries within those churches recognized the power of the immediate tense? What more could we accomplish with our time and how much more effective could we be? The Present, through the power of narrative, presents readers with the fact that the present does not change, allowing us to put all of our energy into it rather than planning for and worrying over it. The present is now, so we are free to do something with it now. A great word of encouragement in the midst of an ever-changing culture.
So what are you reading now? Many books exist with great information on leadership, motivation, and organizational change. If you are a church leader, it would do you good to be reading one.
