The Gospel Shaped Leader: Leaning on Jesus to Shepherd His People

by Scott Thomas

How do you grow as a leader in the church? Should you read church growth books? Take a few seminars? Or just wing it? Scott Thomas, former President of Acts 29, church planter, and pastor has a different approach. He unpacks how leaning on Jesus empowers not just your teaching, but also grows the humility and biblical wisdom you need to lead. Through many years of ministry experience, Thomas has seen the importance of the “soft skills” of leadership—empathy, kindness, and listening—and how not developing those skills negatively impacts churches. Yet simply knowing the need for what the world calls “emotional intelligence,” doesn’t guarantee growth in these areas. But understanding and applying the gospel will bring transformation. Thomas gives practical, specific help in navigating spiritual and emotional challenges that leaders commonly encounter and unpacks how a gospel-shaped response brings healing. Complete with reflection questions at the end of each chapter to encourage self-inventory and further study, The Gospel Shaped Leader will encourage church leaders of all ages in the categories of self-awareness, self-management, relational awareness, and relational management, with the goal of recognizing strengths and weaknesses so they can continue growing more like Christ.

Genres: Leadership, Christian

176 pages, Paperback

Published August 30, 2021

About the author

There is more than one author with this name

Reviews

[Barnabas Piper · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had the chance to endorse this book. I wrote this:

“I have the privilege of serving alongside Scott in pastoral ministry, and I see him live the truths in this book and pour them into the lives of younger, less experienced ministers—like me—constantly. I am eager for other church leaders to benefit from his wisdom and faithful ministry through these pages. It will be a blessing to their souls and their ministries.”

[Katie Spicer · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 🌟

I thought this book was well written & easy to digest, and I am not a huge fan of nonfiction texts. It was definitely written for those is ministry leadership positions but did have some helpful insights. If it included more strategies to be a gospel shaped leader for those of us who serve in leadership roles in secular careers, I would have rated it higher.

[Jonathan Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good and clear book! In a world of leadership books made for business models this is a refreshing look at what it means to lead with the gospel as the focus. I really enjoyed it. I am reading (as a part of my job) a business self-help book and I hate it so much. So much gobble-gook about margins and priorities, this was the breath of fresh air I needed. I even messaged the author on Twitter and he responded with more stuff I needed to hear. Recommended

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is probably the best book I've ever read on Christian leadership. Thomas does a good job writing for anyone involved in church/parachurch ministries. And virtually all of his ideas and principles apply directly to Christians working in the world. He writes so earnestly, you can't help but be emotionally drawn in as well. He has failed, he has hurt and been hurt, and he shares openly about those experiences, what he has learned, and how he leads differently now. And he does exactly what the title suggests, basing it all explicitly on the gospel of God. Read this with our pastoral team at Village Bible Church. Highly recommended!

[Andrew Canavan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good primer on leadership from an author who has hard-earned experience on the importance of gospel-centered church leadership. In some places this book felt like a first draft that needed to be more fleshed out—a weakness that could be helped by a good editor. This has potential for being a really good book but the potential is unrealized in this edition. Right now one could read Gentle & Lowly by Dane Ortlund and The Shepherd Leader by Timothy Witmer and come away with a much deeper understanding of gospel centered leadership.

[Tyler Shipley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I began reading this book because it was for my leadership class. After two days of reading, it became apparent that this book was showing me what I lacked: leadership skills. This read helped put into perspective what it means to pay careful attention to myself and to all the flock (Acts 20:28). This is helpful for aspiring pastors young and old alike. Read it, pray through the prayers and questions, and read it again! Apply it to your own ministry because the church is whom Christ obtained with his own blood.

[Eric Ortscheid · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a helpful read in light of the past couple years filled with reports of the abuse of power in the pastorate. Rather than using a business to model his leadership after, Thomas urges a look to Jesus for our model of leadership. Thankful for men like this pointing the way for young pastors like myself.

[Miles Mullin · Rating 3 out of 5]

An insightful, accessible book informed by both Scripture and Thomas’s considerable ministry experience. Any leader who wants to shepherd people well should read it. Anyone who wants to better identify good leaders can start here as well. Not a difficult read, but spiritually challenging.

[Benjamin Bammes · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book approaches lessons on leadership from the perspective of the gospel: loving and serving others with humility and gentleness, relying on God for strength rather than yourself. The lessons in the book were really good.

[Jessica Liang · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book highlighted for me my need for gospel-centered friendship, which I feel like I am lacking.

Viewing leadership as an appointment rather than a burden helps me take it up as an opportunity to set an example for others.

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

This should be required reading after listening to the “Rise & Fall of Mars Hill” podcast…

[Josh Rosentreter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read!

[Scout · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good content, but got really repetitive. Also the author seemed a little bitter about some previous hurts as a leader, and I don't know how necessary it was to keep bringing those up...

[Brian Bement · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite Christian leadership books I have read in the past 5 years.

[Natalie Lapointe · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first half was good- not crazy impactful but some really good and helpful reminders and language. The second half was fine but less interesting and less helpful. I think I just got bored 🤷‍♀️

[Danny Daugherty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finally got around to reading the last chapter 3 months later 🤦🏼‍♂️ 3.5/5 but rounding up because I think church leaders need more reminders like this.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so good. So much truth and encouragement!

[Joan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is quite different from others I have read on leadership. Thomas realized the current leadership model is not working. He suggests daily examination because leaders cannot direct others if they cannot properly direct their own lives. Rather than arrogance and manipulation, he advocates gospel wisdom in guiding themselves and others. He gives twelve principles to evaluate gospel leadership, giving good suggestions for action. Thomas is open and honest about his own leadership failures. He writes from experience.

By far, my favorite section in this book was the one on humility. “Gospel-shaped leaders must make a comfortable home for humility in their lives and give pride a daily eviction notice.” (1882/2737) That attitude, Thomas notes, is contradictory to today's celebrity culture in the church. Refuse to take credit for what God is doing, he suggests. My goodness. Wise words that would prevent many church disasters. What a challenge, to be free of self-importance, as Jesus was. (1966/2737) This chapter alone makes this book necessary reading for every Christian leader.

This is a very good book for leaders who desire to reflect the gospel in their lives and their leadership. You'll read about sacrifice, self-awareness, God's purpose, submitting desires to the Holy Spirit, rest (Sabbath), insights into relationships like love and humility and grace. Thomas' teaching is full of wisdom and insight and practical suggestions for putting it into practice. It is a great book to be read and studied by church boards.

I received a complimentary digital copy of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.