Servants and Fools: A Biblical Theology of Leadership

by Arthur Boers, Eugene Peterson (Foreword)

Leadership is a much-discussed topic. What does it actually mean for us as Christians? Does Christian leadership have its own distinctive shape and character? In Servants and Fools, A Biblical Theology of Leadership, Arthur Boers examines Jesus’s pattern of leadership. Boers shows how this pattern is rooted in service and sacrifice, is cautious about power and hierarchies, and prioritizes the vulnerable. In other words, it often reverses what we expect of leadership, and is different from what we read in most leadership literature. Servants and Fools is a unique resource for students and practitioners across denominations. It offers a foundational perspective on leadership and guidance for practical application in the reader’s daily life and ministry. Arthur Boers has at last written the book we have sorely needed, a book that is destined to become the main text in my seminary courses in church leadership, a book that is sure to be enthusiastically received by thousands of contemporary Christian leaders. Boers energetically underscores the joyful peculiarity of specifically Christian leadership. His book is a biblically based, Christologically grounded defense of leadership in the name of Christ. --Will Willimon, Professor of the Practice of Christian Ministry, Duke Divinity School, United Methodist Bishop, retired, and author of The Theology and Practice of Ordained LeadershipServants and Fools is a brilliant and essential contribution to any serious study of Robust, faithful, insightful biblical teaching. A judicious, knowledgeable harvest of the best contributions from leadership theorists and practitioners. Plus humor, in-the-trenches experiences, and practical applications. I cannot imagine ever teaching another class on leadership without assigning and discussing Arthur Boers’s book!--David W. Gill, Mockler-Phillips Professor of Workplace Theology & Ethics, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary In Servants and A Biblical Theology of Leadership, Arthur Boers deconstructs the contemporary cult of “leadership” and serves up a refreshingly Biblical alternative. It is a great cautionary tale for today’s churches, seminaries, and Christian non-profits. At the same time, it offers great insight for secular organizations and leaders as well. --John Suk, author, former editor of The Banner, and pastor of Lawrence Park Community Church, Toronto, Canada.One of Hearts & Minds Bookstore's BEST BOOKS OF 2015!

Genres: Leadership

226 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 1, 2015

About the author

Arthur Paul Boers holds the R. J. Bernardo Family Chair of Leadership at Tyndale Seminary (Toronto, Canada). He is an ordained Mennonite minister and Benedictine oblate. He served for over sixteen years as a pastor in rural, urban, and church-planting settings in the USA and Canada.

Boers is an author. His newest book is Living into Focus: Choosing What Matters in an Age of Distractions. (Brazos, 2012). His other books are The Way is Made by Walking: A Pilgrimage Along the Camino de Santiago (InterVarsity, 2007) The Rhythm of Gods Grace (Paraclete, 2003); Never Call Them Jerks: Healthy Responses to Difficult Behavior (Alban, 1999); Lord, Teach Us to Pray: A New Look at the Lord's Prayer (Herald, 1992); Justice that Heals: A Biblical Vision for Victims and Offenders (Faith and Life, 1992); On Earth as in Heaven: Justice Rooted in Spirituality (Herald, 1991); He is co-editor of Take Our Moments and Our Days: An Anabaptist Prayer Book (Herald, 2007).

Boers earned the following degrees: D. Min. with distinction in worship and spirituality (Northern Baptist Theological Seminary), M. Th. in Pastoral Counseling (Waterloo Lutheran Seminary), M. Div. (McCormick Theological Seminary), M.A. in Peace Studies (Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary), B.A. (University of Western Ontario). He is Book Review Editor for Conrad Grebel Review. For many years he served as columnist and editorial advisor for Christian Ministry, The Builder and as contributing editor to The Other Side. His articles and reviews have been published in Biblical Preaching Journal, Catholic New Times, Christian Century, Christianity Today, Congregations, Leadership, St. Anthony Messenger, and Sojourners.

Hobbies include hiking, canoeing, kayaking, and windsurfing. In 2005, he walked the 500 mile pilgrimage route, the Camino de Santiago in Spain, the experience which formed the basis for his newest book. He is also an Indiana Master Naturalist. Boers is a Canadian, the oldest son of Dutch immigrants. He is married to Lorna McDougall, a nurse practioner. They are the parents of two young adult children."

Reviews

[Artem Perkov · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a great challenge for our pre-understanding of leadership at church, with church, and for church. Even its best practices (at least for me and what I observe). That’s why I put 5.

"L. Roger Owens argues that much leadership literature promotes “functional atheism”:
working from “the unconscious assumption that if I don’t make something good happen here it
never will"

It is human nature to divide and rank people.
The church has frequently struggled with clericalism, overemphasizing the importance of
clergy or ordained persons. W e gave too many privileges to official ministers and downplayed
the contributions and giftedness of others… Current leadership fascination verges on a new form of clericalism.

The distressing truth is that toxic leadership can be highly
effective

[Andrew Kaiser · Rating 5 out of 5]

A convincing critique of the inadequacy of the extra-biblical “servant leader” paradigm. Boers’s biblically rich argument grounds leadership this side of heaven in Servanthood—true submission to God and others. A foreign yet so desperately needed correction to the ongoing North American evangelical fetishizing of leaders and leadership. Read alongside Gombis’s “Power in Weakness.”

[Piper Hilgaertner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Raises important questions about Authority

Great book that challenged a lot about the ways we structure authority within the church. Was a little on the negative side but maybe that's what we need?

[Robert Evans · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really did not enjoy this book at all. The author spends two thirds of the book dismantling everything that has ever been written on leadership, determining modern leadership theory and practice as unbiblical and essentially corrupt. While the book rightfully highlights important deficiencies found within leadership thinking, it is filled with gross generalisations based on, what I can only assume to be personal experiences and observations than sound research. I found myself frequently asking throughout the book, “Are we reading the same leadership books?!” I have studied leadership for 25 years and have found most of the deficiencies raised by the author far better addressed by numerous well regarded leadership authors and practitioners both from a church and corporate context. The final section of the book does offer a glimmer of hope and something of value, but almost contradicts earlier assumptions and judgments. I would rate this as the second worst leadership book I have ever read!!

[Bruce Coats · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heroic submission to the literature

The book is a heroic submission to the biblical leadership field. It is, above all, honest in appraising our notions of leadership that is Christian. The footnotes offer a wealth of additional reading.

[Meshach Kanyion · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Useful Alternative

Having read a mishmash of leadership books, I found this one to be a useful alternative. The author did a great job of highlighting, not only the pitfalls of leadership but, what the bible says about leaders. It is shocking to see how often leaders are regarding with caution. I did appreciate how he circles around and shows us what biblical leadership looks like. It is founded in the rejection of power for self promotion, grounded in worship, expectant of suffering, and not concerned with results. That is, biblical leaders are followers of Christ. They only lead others because they are walking in the way of Christ, and inviting others to join them.

There are a host of leadership books available. Give this one a chance.

[Brian Lucas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad

Interesting points on Biblical leadership versus business model leadership, but I don't think it's necessary to be one or the other. Church leaders can gain SOME benefits from adopting good business leadership models.

[Dave Pettengill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible book for Christians who have been inundated with a secular understanding of what it means to be a "good leader", when first and foremost Christ has called us to be servants who lay down our lives.