Grace to Lead: Practicing Leadership in the Wesleyan Tradition, Revised Edition

by Kenneth L. Carder, Laceye C. Warner

Wesleyan Leadership Is About Character. Designed specifically for Christian leaders and teachers, Grace to Lead: Practicing Leadership in the Wesleyan Tradition, Revised Edition delves into Wesleyan scholarship to guide readers into effective contemporary leadership, from a solidly Wesleyan perspective. Calling upon insights from the 1700s Wesleyan revival in England, authors Carder and Warner motivate, form, and guide church leaders. The revised edition expands the content of the first edition and includes more illustrations and models of leadership formed and empowered by grace. Greater attention is given to leadership practiced by congregations and institutions as well as by individuals.

Christian leadership is theological from beginning to end. Carder and Warner explore the rich Wesleyan theological grounding for such leadership with its abundant emphasis on grace. They remind readers that for Wesley, all methods emerge from the theological imperatives and missional direction of God revealed in Christ. ꟷLovett H. Weems Jr., Distinguished Professor of Church Leadership, Wesley Theological Seminary, Washington, DC

To make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world is the mission of The United Methodist Church, and the Wesleyan tradition provides a wealth of resources for this missional work. It provides a proven and effective "method" for forming and equipping Christians to join Jesus Christ and his mission of witnessing to the coming reign of God. In Grace to Lead the authors provide a guide to the practice of missional leadership in the Wesleyan tradition. Pastors and congregational leaders will be enriched and inspired by the wisdom and insight contained in this book. ꟷSteven W. Manskar, Director of Wesleyan Leadership, Discipleship Ministries of The United Methodist Church

The one thing that separates church from secular leadership is our faith in God through Jesus Christ and with the Holy Spirit. Bishop Ken Carder and Dr. Laceye Warner continue to remind us of this fact in Grace to Lead. Church leadership is spiritual leadership, and Ken and Laceye provide the groundwork with a Wesleyan distinctiveness for us to reflect upon and enact. This is a "must read" for all of us who continue to study and work on our leadership skills. ꟷGrant Hagiya, Resident Bishop of the Los Angeles Area, The United Methodist Church

Genres: Leadership, Theology

160 pages, Paperback

First published November 15, 2010

Reviews

[George Donigian · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book for those in the Wesleyan church tradition. Ken Carder and Laceye Warner draw on their knowledge of John Wesley and the early Wesleyan movement to offer direction for contemporary church practice and leadership. Their work is not limited to the 18th century; however, the authors invoke Jim Collins (Good to Great), Patrick Lenzioni, and other contemporary authors on leadership. Carder and Warner speak of leadership formed through doctrine and practice and also by grace. They speak of the continued formation that occurs through core spiritual disciplines, and they offer an overview of contemporary challenges and opportunities. Carder and Warner do not waste words nor do they pad the book with needless examples. (I read one of the first manuscripts, extended a contract to publish prior to my publishing enterprise being put into a new category of existence, and look forward to completing the reading of this version.)

[Sam · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not very well written. Tons of repetitive nouns, prepositional phrases, and verbs in clauses/sentences as if the author didn't know which one to use or was being intentionally vague. Written as if needing published for a doctorate. Not a strong thesis or overall impactful read; not well organized or insightful.

Builds a small historical case for leadership within the Wesleyan tradition, and expouses good Wesleyan values for leadership. However, so poorly written it was forgettable.

[Catherine Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a simple book with powerful ideas about what it means to be a leader in the Wesleyan tradition.

[Thomas Irby · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fantastic theological reflection on discipleship and leadership in the Methodist tradition.