New Article on 9Marks: Book Review

I’ve got a book review up on 9Marks of John MacArthur’s The Book on Leadership. The Christian leadership book market is fairly depressing these days, with most authors simply copy-and-pasting from the secular business world. MacArthur comes out with a broadshot in his text, advocating with unequivocal conviction that church leadership must draw on biblical principles for its content. The book, which searches Paul’s letters and Acts for material, is typical MacArthur: bold, clear, and convictional. It’s also helpful. Spiritual leadership should take its cue from the golden streets, not Wall Street. Good book to buy if you are interested in Christian leadership of most any form.

I hope the review itself is helpful and encourage you to check it out here. I’ll give you the teaser just for good measure.

“Do you remember the MacGyver television show from the 1980s? MacGyver was the guy who, with fifteen bad guys bearing down on him, could take a piece of gum, a pipe, and a sock and parachute to safety. He could take the wrong tools and make any task work.

I know what it feels like to have the wrong tools for a difficult task. Facing the prospect some day of leadership in the Christian church, most books on leadership I have read have only filled my ministerial toolbox with hiring advice from Wall Street, management tips from Fortune 500 CEOs, and growth programs from business school professors. Undoubtedly I will be able to use some of these tools in ministry, but finally they leave me ill equipped for much of what a pastor does. Leadership in the church is a spiritual task requiring spiritual tools.”