Follow Me to Freedom: Leading and Following As an Ordinary Radical

by John M. Perkins

Re-imagine Leading and Following in a World Longing for True Justice, Compassion and Freedom Followers of Christ yearn to see the world changed in compassionate, positive, effective ways. As prophetic voices, Shane Claiborne and John Perkins lead the way in this move to be the hands, feet and heart of Jesus. One is young, a self proclaimed reformed redneck who grew up in the hills of Tennessee and now lives in inner city Philadelphia and the other is decades older, an African-American civil rights leader who was almost beaten to death by police in Mississippi, and went on to found a reconciliation movement and counsel three American presidents. Claiborne and Perkins draw on more than a century of combined following and learning, activating and leading. Together they craft a timely message for ordinary people willing to take radical steps to see real change happen. In Follow Me to Freedom , Claiborne and Perkins lead the way toward justice for all, unfolding a proven strategy as ancient as the patriarchs of faith and as fresh as the needs of every human heart. Starting with Moses as a model, they re-imagine leading and following in a world desperate for true social justice, compassion and freedom. They offer practical ways to internalize and live out God’s promise of freedom in the twenty-first century. Followers of Christ will not only be inspired but also catalyzed into action, and the world will never be the same.

Genres: Christian, Nonfiction, Christianity, Spirituality, Leadership, Social Justice, Theology

235 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 14, 2005

About the author

Dr. John M. Perkins is the founder and president emeritus of the John and Vera Mae Perkins Foundation and cofounder of Christian Community Development Association. He has served in advisory roles under five U.S. presidents, is one of the leading evangelical voices to come out of the American civil rights movement, and is an author and international speaker on issues of reconciliation, leadership, and community development. For his tireless work he has received 14 honorary doctorates. One Blood, along with Dr. Perkins other books, provides an enduring legacy for a man who continues to leave his mark on American culture.

Reviews

[Jeff Lochhead · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the conversational style of this book. It is a good primer on leadership... especially in the realm of communal organization amidst the disenfranchised. Mostly this book was a reminder and hopefully a catalyst to move me from the comforts of suburban complacency (utter uselessness) to a modicum of beneficial living for those whom are outlined in the great commission.

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

We are reading this for a Sunday School class in conjunction with the Open Gate homeless youth ministry, and I've been reading a bit each Sunday. The book has a unique format, being a conversation between two people, Shane and John, one a young leader of an outreach community in Philadelphia and the other an elderly leader of the Civil Rights movement from Mississippi. Each chapter is on a broad subject in relation to being a leader and a follower in working toward some cause. Chapters consist of short passages back and forth between the authors as if transcribing a conversation. As such it can be read non-linearly, topics tend to go off onto tangents from time to time, and certain anecdotes come up multiple times. While I have difficulty whole-heartedly agreeing with all of their opinions and thoughts, that isn't an issue as part of their point is that one shouldn't blindly follow and should always challenge our own beliefs and those of others. There is nothing earth-shattering or even novel here, but it is an interesting conversation they have to 'take part in' and it certainly stimulates discussion and pondering over what you care about and what can be done about it from a Christian point-of-view.

[Mark Franklin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Four stars for being really, really true. The format is odd (the book is a conversation), the subject is old (Perkins and Claiborne have both written this stuff before), and the conclusion is a beginning rather than an end. On the other hand, all the stuff these guys say about leading and following is true, it speaks to the reality of the world today with the voice of Jesus! I've read the subject before, but hearing the truth from an 80 year old and a 35 year old from radically different backgrounds in concert is different, odd, and wonderful. Sometimes being true is enough, and far more appealing than being new.

[Nicole · Rating 2 out of 5]

Truthfully I was disappointed with this book. After reading Irresistible Revolution by Claiborne, I was expecting something just as great. It fell way short in my opinion. Although I really respect Perkins and his ministry, I didn't get much from his dialogue which was the majority of the book. There were too many times where I found my mind drifting. From what little there was, Shane's dialogue was intriguing and enlightening as expected.

[Ryan and Sara Wendt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Captivating Resource for Leading and Following!

This book is a captivating resource that will make the reader want to dream of ways and implement vision into becoming an ordinary radical in today's fractured society and world! This book is for ministry leaders, pastors, and chaplains who want to learn and improve in their ability to lead from outside of the box in their leadership! I recommend this book to anyone who feels a tug towards this noble and worthy call to make an important impact in their leadership! This captivating resource is definitely a five-star read, and it will not leave you disappointed whatsoever!

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great primer for Christian leadership (disclaimer: it's the first book I've read specifically about leadership). It's a bit repetitive, but I feel that the concepts in it are important, and the advice biblical.

[Aaron Cash · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book about leadership that stands in the Gap, Breaks down the walls and seeks to change hearts, mindsets and cultures.

[John Willis · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought the book was ok, but didn't like it nearly as well as some of Claiborne's other books. It was written in a dialogue format which wasn't my favorite to read.

[Jacob Campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have really been inspired and encouraged by Shane Claiborn, and you can read my other book review A Look into Joining the Irresistible Revolution. While, I am somewhat familiar with Shane and the Simple Way (the intentional community Shane is involved with), I had not heard of John Perkins before. Interestingly enough, Jamie, my co-worker who lent me a copy of this audio book does know him.

As I am living a considerable distance from work, read my blog post When it Rains it Pours for some more information surrounding my move to Prosser, I was able to listen to the whole book in just a little over a week. During my car ride, it monopolized my time, not even leaving very much space for my normally appreciated Northwest Public Radio listening Fervor. I came to find out later about the week (I believe that’s how long she said, but it might have been considerably longer) that spent with John Perkins. She talked about how her time spent with John challenged her perspectives on life and even influenced her later decision to move into the impoverished and underserved community of East Pasco. I also found out from her that he is an 82 year old advocate.

I didn’t read the book itself, so I am not sure how it flowed in its conversational format, but it seemed perfect for the audio format. It’s really structured as more of a conversation between Shane and John and goes back and forth between the two. I’m actually curious how the book displays the differences in voices that were so easily displayed by the portraying authors’ voices.

There were a number of really emboldening stories, deep thoughts, topics that are import to me (community, leadership, how to follow, politics, etc.). Many of the topics addressed came back to relationship and community and how to do community development. The organization, Christian Community Development Association, came up a number of times. It really spoke to me in my position as the chairperson of the Pasco Discovery Coalition. Some of the methods of organizing these movements, the foundational inclusion of what they call indigenous leaders were all such promising topics. Now it will be trying to figure out how to help guide our coalition in that direction.

I would highly recommend this book, especially in its audio book format for any reader.

Read the rest of my review of this book at Follow Me to Freedom, Leadership / Followership and Shane Claiborn and John Perkins

[Sagely · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm a big fan of Shane Claiborne, and I have a lot of respect for John Perkins. I think they are both wise leaders with a good abilities to laugh at themselves. Follow Me to Freedom: Leading and Following As an Ordinary Radical does a disservice to both authors.

There are some great gems buried in the rambling prose--I even underlined a few spots. But you have to do a lot of work to dig them out and polish them up. I blame the editors at Regal.

I blame them, first, for choosing a ridiculous font for the text. Page after page of a sans serif font is exhausting. I blame them, second, for failing to edit out more of the many, many joke-y asides that John and Shane trade back and forth. Offhand remarks humanize the authors, I get it. But too many such remarks become alienating to the reader.

Reason two-and-a-half for my frustration with Regal is the missing work that was needed to turn the transcript of a conversation into a decent manuscript. Even an interview published in a checkout aisle magazine gets cut and spliced until the comments bear something of a narrative arc or logical progression. That work was never done--or else was done poorly--with this book.

My third and final complaint is the diffuse nature of each chapter. When I read the table of contents, I thought the book would provide some great meditation points as I try to find a bottom-up way to work within my own position of institutional leadership. Chapter titles like "The Ache (Beginning Where It Hurts)," "To Follow (Choosing Who to Follow)," and "The Gift of Community (Keeping Your Feet on the Ground)" sound like they would do that. But the content of each of these chapters rambles so widely, with so little indication of how the conversation fits together or where it's going, that the promise remains unfulfilled.

This promised a lot, and left me disappointed. Maybe someone else will write a book on grassroots, Jesus-inspired leadership. This books isn't it.

[Lily Bond · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have mixed feelings about this book. It was good, and I enjoyed it. I had a friend ask me if the book was worth purchasing, and I had to say no. (this is opposite to my reactions towards Shane's other books). I would wait to find a used copy or borrow it. The book was in a different format- it was set up as "conversations" between John Perkins and Shane Claiborne. I especially enjoyed what Perkins had to say (he's been coming up recently in conversations with the people I work with), he's definitely got some cool stuff to say. An awesome story, for sure. I felt like SC was simply repeating what he's already been saying. Which is good, I suppose. To an extent. Def know his heart for the people. It's obvious that certain stories have impacted him and the ministry more than others but I found my mind wandering during his section of the chapter.

I would encourage the reader to stick with it- there are some chapters that are rather amazing (hence the 4 stars) while others are average. And I found myself underlining much of the book (always a good sign). Another reason that I enjoyed this book was that it is good for my mind during this season of my life. I was able to directly apply it to various things I've been wrestling over.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Worth a read, but doesn't cover much new ground. There were several points where I took down notes on things that were really compelling or indicting (compared to Claiborne's first couple of books when I would have been noting things on every other page). The stories were great, and many of them were new. I thought Perkins brought a lot of wisdom, and I really appreciated his perspective; I got a little bored with some of his longer exegeses, though that may say more about me than him.

One larger issue I had with the book is that the authors do very little exploration of the idea of "freedom" and only at the end. This is a huge concept, and they probably could have written something beautiful about it, but I felt that it was an afterthought.

Also: I spotted five-ish typographical or spelling errors in the text. Without dwelling on it, given that the authors had an editorial staff and their prior work has been fine, this came as a surprise.

[C · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am torn. The stories, intent, and motive are clear, and great. The dialogue back and forth, and the humor was off-putting. The content made for a deep stir to be awakened and aware by what is going on around you, yet both authors played in to some fairly lame banter that watered down the power behind their words. I am a Claiborne fan due to his relentless passion for helping those in need and being overtly direct in his communication. It felt like his publisher pulled him aside and said "try to be a lot more compatible to the christian culture". I feel like they both lost who they are, and caved to try and be more marketable.

What both men are doing and have done with their lives is powerful, but I don't feel the book honored that.

[Adam Shields · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full review at http://bookwi.se/follow-me-to-freedom...

Short review: This is styled as a conversation between John Perkins and Shane Claborne. These are both socially active evangelical talking about leadership. The topic of leadership is quite broad and it is set up as discussions, so really it is a series of essays.

The basic idea is that you can only lead, once you have learned how to follow. Good introduction to the two of them, if you have not read anything by them before. If you have read all of their books before this will be mostly duplicate material.

[Brandon Stiver · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've read three Shane Claiborne books since Irresistible Revolution and I keep expecting every book to be close to that good, but alas not yet. This book was good though. The way that it is written is a bit different and while its kind of cool, it also makes it a little choppy. I was at a disadvantage because I didn't read it as I normally do, chapter by chapter, but rather read through it in bits and pieces. I think in general, topical books are not my favorite, but they did share some good stories throughout and there will be a couple things that I take away from this book and remember.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is written in a dialogue style, back-and-forth between Shane Claiborne and civil rights actvist and pastor John Perkins. The thing I liked most about this book was the exchange of ideas - brainstorming - on Christian leadership principles. It is the first Claiborne book I have read and I find his approach to inner city outreach novel and moving. I have liked a lot of what I have read by Perkins. Thought provoking as the main theme is learn how to lead you must first follow.

[Simon]

It took me ages to read this book, perhaps it was the format or maybe it was was just very challenging. But I finished and i'm glad I persevered. Without attempting to be an indictment of the Church and North American Christianity it should leave the reader looking and asking after the state of their faith. The book reveals a gospel that is seldom preached and seldom modelled. I can only hope after reading this to reevaluate and make changes.

[Jamin Bradley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book that will inspire you to become the radical Christian you have been called to be. If you've read a lot of Shane's other books there will be a lot of familiarity, but it's all still amazing. There will be stories you've heard mixed in with stories you haven't and they will inspire you all over again. And if you've read a lot of Claiborne, then Perkins will throw a lot of new material and stories at you.

[Doug · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good stuff here. More anecdotal than I'd hoped. Not a lot of new material. Fun format. Basic observations on mercy leadership, with a few gem observations. Perkins is an interesting contrast to Claiborne but also more state-and-Obama-entranced. Do be sure to read Claiborne's more helpful Irresistible Revolution and Jesus for President first.

[Benjamin · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the best books I've read on leadership. Big take aways: Success is about "succession" and passing down the vision and ability to lead and minister to others. And, it takes a passion and vision to get things to go, and these things are from God. Really are. Surround yourself with people who've got these, passion and vision, and let the ride begin.

[Jonathan Hiskes · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is not a carefully composed text but rather a lightly edited conversation between Perkins and Shane Claiborne, with alternating sections by each. They "wrote" much of it over a series of conference calls. Still, I can hardly think of two leaders more worthy of attention. I read Claiborne to be afflicted and unsettled, and he always delivers.

[Beverly · Rating 3 out of 5]

It took me awhile to get through this book (I read it on and off again). I hadn't realized prior to purchasing it that it was geared to folks in leadership and I don't view myself as a leader in the formal sense. That said, I thought it was down-to-earth with thought-providing ideas for those actively seeking a leadership role in the church.

[Justin · Rating 3 out of 5]

There's plenty of thoughtful material here and it's a good book, but it's not the sort of consistently challenging and inspiring stuff I expect from Claiborne. That's more a commment on the type of book it is rather than its quality, though.

[Ryan Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book on leadership by some interesting and inspiring characters. I preferred their stories about their experiences more than their discussions on leadership. Both have been part of some creative initiatives. A bit scattered in its format, but I did like the back-and-forth style of writing.

[Tricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

The authors are two people that I highly respect and have enjoyed reading and hearing speak over the years. It was kind of like being in a room while they talked to each other. It warmed my heart to hear their stories. They are very challenging and compassionate men.

[Mary Ann · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book contains some gems of wisdom. John M Perkins is a wise man of God. Shane Clairbourne is a whole hearted follower of Jesus with some judgemental and misguided ideology. I tried to read this with grace, sifting out the gems and overlooking the non-sense.

[Ryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting and inspiring dialogue between inspiring leaders and important voices in ministry. The format was distracting for me, going back and forth between the two. I did love hearing both their voices on subjects but it felt like it never kept a consistent train of thought.

[Grant]

As soon as Shane releases a book, I get it. I will let you all know how it is! But perhaps I will be biased :)

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

John Perkins is my new hero. I wish that I could sit down with him and have a long chat about reconciliation. Shane, of course, is always the man.

[Megan Hempstead · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shane Claiborne and John Perkins perfectly complimented each other in this book. It gave me many deep things to ponder on my journey. I'm glad I read it.