The Christian Leader: Rehabilitating Our Addiction to Secular Leadership

by Bill Hull, Robby Gallaty (Foreword)

What if everything you've heard about leadership is wrong?

Secular models of leadership rooted in pragmatic success dominate Christian leadership in the West. It makes our work impersonal and exploitive. And, at worst, it serves the leader rather than those the leader leads.

We need a different style of leadership—one patterned after Jesus. We need to learn to influence others out of our character, for that is what Jesus did.

The Christian Leader is not about improving your church, your work, or your family; it is about changing how you lead. It does more than teach you how to modify your behavior; it shows you how to change the sources of your behavior—your motives and reasons for being a Christian leader. In the end, as everything you know and believe about Christian leadership is transformed, it will lead to transformation in those you lead and serve.

Genres: Leadership

186 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 31, 2016

About the author

Bill’s passion is to help the church return to its disciple making roots and he considers himself a discipleship evangelist. This God-given desire has manifested itself in 20 of pastoring and the authorship of many books. Two of his more important books, Jesus Christ Disciple Maker, and The Disciple Making Pastor, have both celebrated 20 years in print. Add his third in the popular trilogy, The Disciple Making Church , and you have a new paradigm for disciple making.

Reviews

[Craig Prather · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is excellent! Very well written. Both relatable, and pragmatic. Hull encompasses the very best leadership skills as demonstrated by Christ, and interweaves them with examples of great Christian leaders. A must read for anyone in church leadership.

[Andy Ardern · Rating 2 out of 5]

Found this book hard to follow. While I appreciated the historical biographies, the book seemed jumpy and didn't go deep into its points. Lots of stories about the author that didn't always clearly connect to the argument. I'd pass on this one if you are looking for a good book on Christian leadership.

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

Life transformation

Early on in my ministry about 30 years ago, I was introduced to this author through his book, Disciplemaking Pastor. I've used his principles to equip men into leaders in every church and theological institution where I have served. This particular volume shows what is wrong with churches that ignore leadership Jesus' way for corporate business models. We need to focus on developing bigger Christians not necessarily bigger churches. Quality and life transformation are most important. Quantity will come as a by-product of the faithfulness of those disciples to share the Gospel.

[David Jones · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is filled with babble and anecdotal stories with very little relating to actual Christian leadership. Hull uses Phil. 2 quite a bit (referring to the humility of Christ), yet he himself brags constantly on his amazing basketball career and how great a preacher he is.
I do not recommend.

[David Mills · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reflections on Real Christian Leadership from a seasoned leader

Read this book. Hull identifies the differences between Christian leadership and secular leadership. Each chapter is better than the one before. The last chapter will blow the top of your head off.

[Tom Houser · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not a new book, nor does it contain brand new ideas. But it does contain ideas that leaders need to hear, or maybe hear again. To be a Christian leader is to be a different sort of leader, and Bill Hull does a great job of leading the reader through what that looks like.

[Michael Vincent · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book seems mainly about Hull’s personal struggle with leadership. It seems he has not achieved the position and fame he thought he would achieve. However, by most standards, he has been used by God to multiply disciples. There are many good and helpful quotes and illustrations throughout the book and thought provoking questions. I appreciated his willingness to share his struggle and desire to learn humility while still seeking to honor the Lord with his gifts and calling. This was more about the heart than a book with practical suggestions on how to grow as a Christian leader.