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When God Laughs with Us: The Lighter Side of Leadership
Lighten up!
Most of us take ourselves too seriously. Christian leaders, in particular, are tempted by the position they hold, or the power they wield, to lose touch with their humanity, become arrogant, and alienate their followers.
But what about our tendency to shoot ourselves in the foot, time and time again? Can we laugh at ourselves?
David McKenna, a Christian college president, brings a lifetime of learning to this question. By confessing his own foibles and laughing at the ludicrous, he finds that God is laughing with him--not to ridicule, but to give the special grace that saves us from ourselves.
The lessons are humbling when the laugh is on us, but they can lead to the discovery that a sense of humor is a partner with the witness of a joyful spirit. McKenna shows us by example how to lighten up and find God as we laugh at ourselves.
"Just as we suspected, and with impeccable timing, we find in Dr. McKenna's When God Laughs with Us, evidence that God not only has, but encourages a bountiful sense of humor and offers a written respite for leaders who often take ourselves far too seriously. Thanks David for insight into yet another delightfully creative dimension of our Heavenly Father."
--Sandra C. Gray
President
Asbury University
"In sharing many lighthearted and humorous experiences, often directed at himself, David McKenna reveals how a person can keep balance and perspective while making important decisions."
--Norman L. Edwards
Seattle, Wasthington
"When God Laughs with Us highlights encounters, at once serious and funny, each with its opening and insight into a deeper reality of our life with God. Dave's capacity to peel back the veneer that encases so many leaders and prod us to look deeper into our soul so that we can bear the weight of leadership more lightly is provocative . . . You will enjoy the combination of personal and professional anecdotes and be drawn into reflecting on the intersection of your own personal and professional 'life lessons.' You'll love the book."
--Gayle D. Beebe
President, Westmont College
"Dave McKenna, always in for a good laugh, has the gift of seeing the funny side of just about anything. And the comedic comes through, inevitably, in any leadership setting, especially for college presidents working with students who think up the most astonishing ways to pull pranks and have fun. Read this delightful little volume and I promise you laughter, joy, and healing for the soul."
--Donald Demaray
Professor Emeritus of Preaching
Asbury Theological Seminary
"In When God Laughs with Us, David McKenna treats us to priceless moments of personal gaffes, awkward moments, cultural tensions and, at times, hilarious slapstick type situations which rival the Three Stooges. Whether it is being drenched in water before a speaking engagement or arriving at the pulpit of the wrong church, McKenna allows us to see that leadership can be fun when we learn to laugh at ourselves. Indeed, McKenna's humorous stories wonderfully remind us of the truth of Reinhold Niebuhr's quip that, 'Humor is the prelude to faith and laughter is the beginning of prayer.'"
--Timothy C. Tennent
President
Asbury Theological Seminary
"What a terrific and timely book. For all of us in leadership, without question we take ourselves too seriously, to our detriment, I might add, limiting our effectiveness as Christians and as leaders. Dave McKenna comes to the rescue. Out of his long and storied career, and as a skilled storyteller, he hammers home a wise We've simply got to lighten up a bit. In story after story, we find Dave leading and modeling a way for us."
--Philip W. Eaton
President
Seattle Pacific University
David McKenna served as President of Spring Arbor University, Seattle Pacific University, and Asbury Theological Seminary. He is the author of thirty-two books, including The Leader's Legacy (2006) and Retirement Is Not for Sissies (2008).
Most of us take ourselves too seriously. Christian leaders, in particular, are tempted by the position they hold, or the power they wield, to lose touch with their humanity, become arrogant, and alienate their followers.
But what about our tendency to shoot ourselves in the foot, time and time again? Can we laugh at ourselves?
David McKenna, a Christian college president, brings a lifetime of learning to this question. By confessing his own foibles and laughing at the ludicrous, he finds that God is laughing with him--not to ridicule, but to give the special grace that saves us from ourselves.
The lessons are humbling when the laugh is on us, but they can lead to the discovery that a sense of humor is a partner with the witness of a joyful spirit. McKenna shows us by example how to lighten up and find God as we laugh at ourselves.
"Just as we suspected, and with impeccable timing, we find in Dr. McKenna's When God Laughs with Us, evidence that God not only has, but encourages a bountiful sense of humor and offers a written respite for leaders who often take ourselves far too seriously. Thanks David for insight into yet another delightfully creative dimension of our Heavenly Father."
--Sandra C. Gray
President
Asbury University
"In sharing many lighthearted and humorous experiences, often directed at himself, David McKenna reveals how a person can keep balance and perspective while making important decisions."
--Norman L. Edwards
Seattle, Wasthington
"When God Laughs with Us highlights encounters, at once serious and funny, each with its opening and insight into a deeper reality of our life with God. Dave's capacity to peel back the veneer that encases so many leaders and prod us to look deeper into our soul so that we can bear the weight of leadership more lightly is provocative . . . You will enjoy the combination of personal and professional anecdotes and be drawn into reflecting on the intersection of your own personal and professional 'life lessons.' You'll love the book."
--Gayle D. Beebe
President, Westmont College
"Dave McKenna, always in for a good laugh, has the gift of seeing the funny side of just about anything. And the comedic comes through, inevitably, in any leadership setting, especially for college presidents working with students who think up the most astonishing ways to pull pranks and have fun. Read this delightful little volume and I promise you laughter, joy, and healing for the soul."
--Donald Demaray
Professor Emeritus of Preaching
Asbury Theological Seminary
"In When God Laughs with Us, David McKenna treats us to priceless moments of personal gaffes, awkward moments, cultural tensions and, at times, hilarious slapstick type situations which rival the Three Stooges. Whether it is being drenched in water before a speaking engagement or arriving at the pulpit of the wrong church, McKenna allows us to see that leadership can be fun when we learn to laugh at ourselves. Indeed, McKenna's humorous stories wonderfully remind us of the truth of Reinhold Niebuhr's quip that, 'Humor is the prelude to faith and laughter is the beginning of prayer.'"
--Timothy C. Tennent
President
Asbury Theological Seminary
"What a terrific and timely book. For all of us in leadership, without question we take ourselves too seriously, to our detriment, I might add, limiting our effectiveness as Christians and as leaders. Dave McKenna comes to the rescue. Out of his long and storied career, and as a skilled storyteller, he hammers home a wise We've simply got to lighten up a bit. In story after story, we find Dave leading and modeling a way for us."
--Philip W. Eaton
President
Seattle Pacific University
David McKenna served as President of Spring Arbor University, Seattle Pacific University, and Asbury Theological Seminary. He is the author of thirty-two books, including The Leader's Legacy (2006) and Retirement Is Not for Sissies (2008).
140 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2011
About the author
David L. McKenna
48 books2 followersDr. David Loren McKenna (b. 1929) is Founding Chair of the Northwest Graduate School of the Ministry, Redmond, Washington. He served for 50 years in Christian higher education, including 33 years as a college, university, and seminary president. His national reputation as an educator was acclaimed when he was finalist for Secretary of Education in the Reagan cabinet. He and his wife, Janet, have four children and twelve grandchildren.
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December 22, 2016
If you work in Christian higher education, you need to know the name David McKenna. He is one of the most significant persons in the history of Christian higher education. He led three respected Christian institutions as well as created the Christian College Constorium. But on top of all his incredible accolades and honors, David McKenna is a great yet humble man.
When I started working in higher education, my professors and colleagues encouraged me to find a mentor. This is easier said than done. Finding a president or vice president to mentor you can be rather difficult. First, they are very busy and finding a good chunk of time for mentoring is not easy. Second, if you look for one at your own institution you are going to be labeled a brownnoser. Third, it may be hard to find the right fit.
Luckily, great leaders like David McKenna write short works about leadership that I can learn from and share with others.
This is an incredible book about the funny life of a leader, particularly a Christian college president.
When I started working in higher education, my professors and colleagues encouraged me to find a mentor. This is easier said than done. Finding a president or vice president to mentor you can be rather difficult. First, they are very busy and finding a good chunk of time for mentoring is not easy. Second, if you look for one at your own institution you are going to be labeled a brownnoser. Third, it may be hard to find the right fit.
Luckily, great leaders like David McKenna write short works about leadership that I can learn from and share with others.
This is an incredible book about the funny life of a leader, particularly a Christian college president.
Displaying 1 of 1 review