Leading With Love

by Alexander Strauch

This book provides leaders and teachers a clear understanding of what the Bible teaches about love. This understanding is essential to you as an individual leader and to the church as a whole. It will --Significantly improve your relational skills --Enhance your effectiveness in ministry --Diminish senseless conflict and division --Build a healthier church --Promote evangelism If you lead or teach people in any capacity in the body of Christ, this book will help you become a more loving leader or teacher.

Genres: Leadership, Christian, Theology, Christian Living, Love, Discipleship, Nonfiction

208 pages, Paperback

First published February 27, 2006

About the author

1832-1893

Reviews

[Sarah Nuzum · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a mandatory read for a small group training that I’m participating in at church - and I’m so glad it is! I really appreciated this book. It’s not a theologically heavy or scholarly book, but is still completely true and relevant for the Christian leader. I found the examples and quotes in this book deeply uplifting, encouraging and convicting.

I would not only recommend this to leaders (or prospective leaders) but to all Christians.

[millie · Rating 5 out of 5]

concise, but packed with tons of practical wisdom. i particularly liked how it was structured following the chapter of 1 corinthians 13! many encouragements and exhortations to everyone in the church, not only those with formal leader titles.

[Samuel · Rating 5 out of 5]

The greatest characteristic a Christian must have is a genuine love for God and for others. For the church to exhibit this great love, they must have leaders who exemplify it. Strauch does a marvelous job describing how leaders should live this pattern of love in their lives and ministries, and the trickle-down effect it will have in their churches. Highly recommended, especially as a pastoral staff or elder board.

[Hudson Christmas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Went through this book for a men’s study. Strauch is an excellent writer, explaining how love should impact one’s leadership within the church. Convicting and encouraging, this book was an enjoyment to read. Even though I am not in an area of pastoral leadership, the principles discussed here will greatly impact my marriage.

[Jordan Schmalhofer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A little repetitive, but the message of love is worth repeating. The author is a strong writer who uses quotes from scripture and notable theologians to reinforce his point. My biggest takeaway is that conflicts offer us opportunities to obey biblical commands to love, allowing us to grow in love and help others do the same.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was thought provoking and convicting. Leading with love does not come naturally, at least not for me. The book displays why it is so important that we have and display love to others.

[Macy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a lovely exposition on what Christian love is and how we can apply it to our leadership. Ultimately, our love should point towards Christ, and from that flows obedience to God’s commandments. Obeying God’s word ultimately brings glory to Him, but it is also vital in how we show love to our Christian brothers and sisters, as well as those who we disciple.

[Grandma Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book for church leadership, especially for churches that are or have been undergoing conflict.

[Amanda Josserand · Rating 5 out of 5]

Leading with love was an excellent read for anyone in ministry or striving to love to love the body of Christ! Excellent principles, timely encouragement, and practical steps for loving others well!

………………………………………………………….

“Knowledge without love inflates the ego and deceives the mind”

“Too often Christians are concerned about hidden truth, but indifferent about loving difficult people” George Sweeting

“Kindness is a readiness to do good, to help, to relieve burdens, to be useful, to serve, to be tender, and to be sympathetic to others. It has been said kindness is love in work clothes”

To choose the path of love doesn’t mean we don’t feel the pain of emotional injustice or struggle with anger or bad memories. We do feel pain. However, choosing the more excellent way means that we seek, by the power and with the help of the Holy Spirit within us, to honestly deal with our emotional wounds. We forgive others just as we have been forgiven many times over by Christ. We seek to understand the person who has caused us injury and acknowledge that we have done the same to others. We confess our own bad attitudes, self-pity and unforgiving heart. We see things from God’s perspective and we refuse to carry on the fight.”

“People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care. A leader will not have much of a ministry of people do not know that he or she truly cares about them.”

“If we are to improve our praying, we must strengthen our loving.” DA Carson

“Some leaders are great champions of the truth and anxious to fight for it, but display little love. Others are great advocates of love, but have no equal commitment to truth, as Jesus and his apostles had. Truth is hard if it is not softened by love, and love is soft if it is not strengthened by the truth”. John Stott

[Annika Matthias · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book started off rather slowly, reinforcing things that I already knew. However, it got better and better with each chapter. It made me think a lot about my attitude in ministry. I see my entire life as a ministry, so this subject touches many places: my marriage, my friendships, and my teaching. This semester, I have had the privilege of loving someone I found hard to love, but this book kept bringing me back to the fact the Jesus loves them and so should I! I also walked through a miscarriage. I was brought constantly back to the cross where God gave His only Son. John 3:16 hit home in a whole new way. Through my sorrow, God opened an incredible door of opportunity for me to share my faith with my dear cousin! My sorrow has turned to rejoicing as I've been able to walk through several books of the Bible with her and answer some difficult questions. I praise God for using this situation for good in bringing me closer to Him and even drawing a new sheep to His fold. God is so good! I encourage you to read this book even if you don't see yourself as a leader. If you are a believer, non-Christians are watching you and they need you to lead them to the cross with love!

[Maximiliano Quaglini · Rating 5 out of 5]

El liderazgo cristiano sin amor es una contradicción, un despropósito que provoca más daño que bien.

Ese es el argumento que el hermano Strauch expone en este libro, con una clara solidez bíblica, y no sin acompañar la teoría con un amplio enfoque práctico, para que la doctrina se traduzca en piedad.

Esencial para todo pastor, principal o laico. Le animo a leerlo para glorificar al Señor al mantener las motivaciones puras en medio de las vicisitudes del ministerio en este mundo caído.

[Josh Bucher · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first few chapters as I read this book, I felt like it was nothing special, but as I kept reading this book grew on me. There are a lot of examples and anecdotes which show how important love is. As I read each chapter it became easier to think of personal examples of how others have loved well toward me (or not), or ways in which I can practically grow in love. Overall, I definitely recommend this book and to talk about it with someone you know cares about you to have the most effect.

[camila · Rating 5 out of 5]

a must read! i found myself saying a lot of “mmhmm” and “amens” throughout this book because it’s so rich in exhortation and encouragement. it’s simple to read, but convicting and challenging as a call for the christian to love biblically. it addresses teachers and leaders, but all christians should read this book.

[Raul Filea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whether you are a leader or just a "simple" believer, this book will teach you *at least* the basics of love. Obviously for the ones ready to listen to the voice of the Spirit this book is a pot of gold! Alexander explains so good the application of love in our leadership, covering important topics on God's vision of a shepherd for His flock.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book. Every believer should read it but be prepared, you will be challenged to change some of your ways and reflect on many a hard truth. God has certainly used its teachings in my life of late and I am very thankful it randomly (divinely) stood out to me from my husband’s theology shelf.

[Andy Fletcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read this multiple times.
Strauch is known for his seminal work on Eldership, but this puts meat to that book. Great read. Great for any church leader who wants to know what it means to shepherd the flock well.

[Aszerina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I went through this book with other small group leaders at my church. It is a great resource for church leaders of all kinds, the chapters are short and accessible and the content rich. I would recommend it.

[Brian Douglas Hinkle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Worth every chapter

It was so refreshing that love was the driving foundation of this book. With love being who God is, this is a very necessary book for leaders/servants. If you strive to live a life of this book will inspire your soul

[Iain Hamill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Particularly helpful sections on applying 1 Cor 13 to Biblical leadership.

[சுயேபெர் SuJéBṚ Joshy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for those who are in and those who wish to do Christian ministry.

[Erica Schrader · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book over 10 years ago and it’s just as good as I remember. Filled with wonderful, practical, and wise instruction and reminders for the Christian leader.

[Ally Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic resource. Challenging and encouraging in all the right ways, noce short chapters and very easy to read. Every Christian leader in whatever capacity, should read this book.

[Ryleigh Combs · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very repetitive, but good information.

[Ben · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful, basic book on how to lead with love. I appreciate Strauch's attention to what is often the harder channels of love: rebuke, warning that there are wolves among us, etc.

[MyAngel Serpa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book!

[Emmanuel Boston · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would say that this book is a very helpful reminder to everyone who would claim to lead others. It is common today (and one only has to look at presidential campaigns) to lead with arrogance and claim superiority while deriding opponents. But that is far from the biblical picture of leadership. All leadership is to be characterized by love, and love should pervade our every action. Strauch does a good job of showing the qualities necessary for any leader, but especially a leader in the Christian community (be it church or the larger Evangelical world). He uses vivid examples to convey the truth of Scripture in everyday life. The book is relatively short, but is definitely worth reading. I was convicted of lovelessness even in my own life, and I understand better the biblical mandate to love others as I lead them.

Strauch divides the book into three sections:
1.) Love is Indispensable to Christian Leadership
2.) The Character and Behavior of a Loving Leader
3.) The Works of a Loving Leader

In the first section, he shows how pervasive the idea of love is throughout the Bible, especially in leadership contexts. In the second, he spends much time on what a Christian leader should look like and what things should concern him. In the final section, he devotes discussion to very practical ways to exhibit love as a leader.

It becomes clear through reading that Strauch himself is a humble man who is truly concerned with leading others into loving leadership.

[Michael Dionne]

One of my favourite books. Straightforward, challenging, and biblical. Strauch reminds the Christian leader (pastor, teacher, discipler, parent, friend) that Christian leadership without love is hopeless. Each chapter brings the focus back to the love of Christ and how we can exemplify that. You might find it too simple—that's because it's so foundational. Looking forward to reviewing this work regularly.

[Michael Schmid · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book dealing with the necessary quality of love in a spiritual leader. Alexander Strauch discusses the characteristics of love as found in 1 Corinthians 13. A good, necessary and helpful reminder for anyone in leadership.

[Janet]

Great book! Basic stuff if you are in leadership. 3.0

[Doug Dale · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good book on the critical role of love in Christian leadership. I'd recommend this to anyone in any type of leadership role in the church.