The Gospel Shaped Leader: leaning on Jesus to shepherd His people
How do you grow as a leader in the church? Should you read church growth books? Take a few seminars? Or just wing it? Scott Thomas, former President of Acts 29, church planter, and pastor has a different approach. He unpacks how leaning on Jesus empowers not just your teaching, but also grows the humility and biblical wisdom you need to lead. Through many years of ministry experience, Thomas has seen the importance of the “soft skills” of leadership—empathy, kindness, and listening—and how not developing those skills negatively impacts churches. Yet simply knowing the need for what the world calls “emotional intelligence,” doesn’t guarantee growth in these areas. But understanding and applying the gospel will bring transformation. Thomas gives practical, specific help in navigating spiritual and emotional challenges that leaders commonly encounter and unpacks how a gospel-shaped response brings healing. Complete with reflection questions at the end of each chapter to encourage self-inventory and further study, The Gospel Shaped Leader will encourage church leaders of all ages in the categories of self-awareness, self-management, relational awareness, and relational management, with the goal of recognizing strengths and weaknesses so they can continue growing more like Christ.
Publisher: New Growth Press
Type: Paperback
ISBN: 9781645071631
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Scott Thomas, MA, is the Executive Pastor of Immanuel Church in Nashville, TN, and has previously served as President of Acts 29 and Executive Leadership for C2C Network in North America. He is the author of Twenty Great Truths: Equipping Leaders in Biblical Doctrine, Gospel Coach Workbook, The Gospel Shaped Leader, and coauthor of Gospel Coach. He and his wife of forty years live in Nashville, TN.
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“Books on leadership are a dime a dozen. Do we really need another? My answer is a resounding Yes! We need this one. I can’t think of anyone more ably suited to write a book for pastors on leadership than my friend Scott Thomas. Scott’s insights don’t come from an ivory tower and are not couched in the language of theological abstraction. He has spent years in the trenches of local church life and has seen both the best and worst of pastoral leadership. In a day of almost constant bullying, burnout, and moral demise, it is heartening to know that there is one volume to which I can always turn and direct others for guidance. The way Scott consistently tethers leadership principles to the truth of the gospel has led to a wonderfully helpful and hopeful book for those involved in local church life. Highly recommended!” Sam Storms, Bridgeway Church, Oklahoma City, OK