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Turnaround: The Remarkable Story of an Institutional Transformation and the 10 Essential Principles and Practices that Made It Happen
How do you save a sinking ship?
When Dr. Jason K. Allen arrived on the campus of Midwestern Seminary, it was in rough shape. The faculty, the facilities, and the reputation of the school were all flailing. How did he lead this seminary to become the fastest growing and one of the largest seminaries in the world?
In this book, Dr. Allen shares the leadership principles he learned through the turnaround of Midwestern Seminary—principles you’ll be able to apply in whatever area God has called you to lead.
When Dr. Jason K. Allen arrived on the campus of Midwestern Seminary, it was in rough shape. The faculty, the facilities, and the reputation of the school were all flailing. How did he lead this seminary to become the fastest growing and one of the largest seminaries in the world?
In this book, Dr. Allen shares the leadership principles he learned through the turnaround of Midwestern Seminary—principles you’ll be able to apply in whatever area God has called you to lead.
- GenresLeadership
192 pages, Hardcover
Published September 13, 2022
14 people are currently reading
88 people want to read
About the author
Jason K. Allen
29 books22 followersDR. JASON ALLEN is the fifth and youngest president of Midwestern Baptist Seminary. He has served as pastor and interim pastor of Southern Baptist churches in Alabama and Kentucky over the past fifteen years. He currently serves the church more broadly through writing and preaching ministries, including his own website www.jasonkallen.com, where he writes on various topics including higher education, theology, preaching, and cultural and local church issues. He and his wife, Karen, have five children: Anne-Marie, Caroline, William, Alden, and Elizabeth.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
May 18, 2023
Many “Christian” books on leadership are actually secular book on leadership with religious terminology. “Turnaround” is no such work. Written with biblical conviction, godly wisdom, and seasoned experience, Jason Allen shows us how to lead for change to the glory of God. Read this book!
November 16, 2025
Great book on leadership. Fun to learn as you read the story of an institution.
March 30, 2023
Dr Allen has been the catalyst for a remarkable change at Midwestern Seminary, and this books explains how he did it. Good stuff.
September 22, 2022
Dr. Allen has written an excellent book on leading institutional change. Using his story as the backdrop, he offers straightforward and concise principles that are simple to understand and apply. The success that has been achieved at Midwestern Seminary speaks volumes for the character of Dr. Allen and his expertise to lead through difficult change. I encourage all pastors to read this book. It will serve you well.
October 30, 2023
I received this book for free at a conference and had no intention of picking it up to read. However, one of my pastors/supervisors commended it to me. Now I wish everyone leading in a Christian ministry could read it. Simple, yet profound, it lays out biblical principles in ways that show the way of leadership is less dependent on new insight, but instead faithful obedience. Having read it, I have a newfound appreciation of the work that has gone on behind the scenes to ensure the quality of my graduate school experience.
December 7, 2022
I’m not usually one for leadership books. I find that they are often written as guides to manipulation more than leadership. But Dr. Allen has written a leadership book that is based on principles rather than pragmatism and is interesting because it partially tells the story of the turnaround at Midwestern Seminary.
February 26, 2024
Great thoughts on turning around an institution. I gleaned many good tips from this book:
To be an effective leader, you probably need to do less, not more.
Leadership boils down to one word: stewardship.
A few principles that do not change in leadership:
Lead where you are. The most important job you have is the one that you have right now. Leadership is not just for your future, it is in your present. In leadership, you must lead in your present area. Locationally, your job right now is more important than your job in the future.
The Providence of God. 2+2 can be 7 when God is with you.
Credibility follows you. When a politician’s past is brought up, his credibility is doubted and it could be his end. It takes years to accumulate and take seconds to end.
It takes a Team.
You must know what you believe, and why you exist. You must know your purpose.
A mission statement help you as an organization and those you serve.
The mission statement clarifies what you do and why you do it. It not only clarifies what you do, but it also clarifies what you do not do.
Midwestern seminary has the vision statement “For the church.” It clarifies everything they do.
A vision statement needs to be no longer than one sentence. It is better to have no vision statement than an unclear one.
Vision leads, so communicate it regularly.
Vision rusts over time, so we need to hear it over and over again.
The leader might carry the vision, but the vision will also carry the leader.
Trust is needed for leadership.
Trust requires authenticity, logic, and empathy.
Trust is slowly learned, but quickly lost. It takes off in a sprint, but comes back in a crawl.
Every hire matters. Never casually hire someone.
When you’re going to hire, start with the C’s:
Character
Calling — are they doing this for the money?
Conviction
Culture – do they align with your organization’s culture?
Competency — Will they strengthen the team or debilitate it?
Capabilities – do they add value?
Believe your team, and believe in your team.
Keep short accounts with your team.
At the end of every meeting, it should be clear who is going to do what and when.
Insufficient accountability results in a lack of progress.
To be an effective leader, you probably need to do less, not more.
Leadership boils down to one word: stewardship.
A few principles that do not change in leadership:
Lead where you are. The most important job you have is the one that you have right now. Leadership is not just for your future, it is in your present. In leadership, you must lead in your present area. Locationally, your job right now is more important than your job in the future.
The Providence of God. 2+2 can be 7 when God is with you.
Credibility follows you. When a politician’s past is brought up, his credibility is doubted and it could be his end. It takes years to accumulate and take seconds to end.
It takes a Team.
You must know what you believe, and why you exist. You must know your purpose.
A mission statement help you as an organization and those you serve.
The mission statement clarifies what you do and why you do it. It not only clarifies what you do, but it also clarifies what you do not do.
Midwestern seminary has the vision statement “For the church.” It clarifies everything they do.
A vision statement needs to be no longer than one sentence. It is better to have no vision statement than an unclear one.
Vision leads, so communicate it regularly.
Vision rusts over time, so we need to hear it over and over again.
The leader might carry the vision, but the vision will also carry the leader.
Trust is needed for leadership.
Trust requires authenticity, logic, and empathy.
Trust is slowly learned, but quickly lost. It takes off in a sprint, but comes back in a crawl.
Every hire matters. Never casually hire someone.
When you’re going to hire, start with the C’s:
Character
Calling — are they doing this for the money?
Conviction
Culture – do they align with your organization’s culture?
Competency — Will they strengthen the team or debilitate it?
Capabilities – do they add value?
Believe your team, and believe in your team.
Keep short accounts with your team.
At the end of every meeting, it should be clear who is going to do what and when.
Insufficient accountability results in a lack of progress.
February 16, 2024
Loved this book. The convictional approach to leadership, much like Mohler's "The Conviction to Lead." Allen dedicates the book to Mohler as his mentor. This book was great, though, in that Allen walked through the leadership principles as seen in his experience at Midwestern, which was very relatable for me since I work at a college. It's almost a leadership memoir. One key takeaway is that good leadership really does make a monstrous difference in an organization. I think people will be willing to give up a lot to follow a good leader.
As I read leadership books every once in a while and gradually add some leadership experience to my own life, I'm beginning to think that leadership ability is a bit more innate than it is learned. Allen says that leadership is simple, you don't need fancy books or workshops, and most anyone can learn how to do it. I think the first two statements are more true than the third. What he proposes is simple, but so many leaders ignore the common sense aspects of leadership that I've gotta think it's only "simple" to people who have some natural ability at it. It's a working theory; just where I'm at now.
As I read leadership books every once in a while and gradually add some leadership experience to my own life, I'm beginning to think that leadership ability is a bit more innate than it is learned. Allen says that leadership is simple, you don't need fancy books or workshops, and most anyone can learn how to do it. I think the first two statements are more true than the third. What he proposes is simple, but so many leaders ignore the common sense aspects of leadership that I've gotta think it's only "simple" to people who have some natural ability at it. It's a working theory; just where I'm at now.
December 31, 2022
President Allen gives a compelling story of an institution crawling back from the edge of obscurity. This revealing work gives great perspective on what it looks like to maintain convictions, capture a vision and get others on board moving toward mission. A solid story on leadership that draws from many of the greats and speaks to what it looks like in the 21st century to both remain morally uncompromised in academia and take ground in their goal of becoming the strongest seminary in the nation.
I will read it again, simply for some of the references made to J. Oswald Sanders in perspective to leadership. The transformation is obvious but the story behind it is even more compelling to the glory of God!
I will read it again, simply for some of the references made to J. Oswald Sanders in perspective to leadership. The transformation is obvious but the story behind it is even more compelling to the glory of God!
December 31, 2022
I love case studies, and this book tells the story of the comeback of Midwestern Seminary. Written by a seminary president, this book is applicable no matter what your situation. Jason Allen provides ten principles that every leader must attempt to embody. Leadership books are obviously a dime a dozen, but this one is interesting because Allen has found himself in a tight spot at the head of a struggling university but also figured out how to lead that seminary to a better future. I would certainly recommend this book even if you are not a Christian and even if you are not involved in higher education. Any leader would benefit.
December 14, 2022
This was an easy read. It was short, and the concepts were high level, so generally pretty simple and not too in the weeds. The principles are good north stars for institutional leadership. His journey at Midwestern provided a good canvas to display the institutional leadership principles he has learned, and Dr. Allen's clear leadership for Midwestern stands out. Having graduated from Midwestern, I have seen the institution's progress. I would recommend this book to any pastor or ministry leader.
December 9, 2023
Really good. The challenge here is that few can relate to turning a seminary around. Although, Dr. Allen uses his experience of transforming MBTS, I would've appreciated more illustrations from other organizations/institutions. For example, it's one thing to know your constituency when you're a seminary with students and donors, but what if your constituency is/are church members or customers? More direct, since I would suspect most readers of this book will be pastors or ministry leaders, more examples of how to apply the 10 principles in the context of a local church would have been great.
September 30, 2023
President Jason K. Allen lays out 10, what he would call, obvious, essential and beautiful principles, for how to turn around an organization. There are good leadership principles here for you to read. This is more a book on corporate turnaround strategies than it is a book on leadership practically. Though there is a lot of overlay between them. Additionally, it is faithful to the type of leaders the Bible calls for. Every leader should have this book in their arsenal.
November 10, 2023
I think this is the best leadership book I’ve read. The concepts are not new, and many of them have been discussed in other leadership books I have read. Dr. Allen, however, stated them in biblical ways that connected my love for my alma mater with deep calls to my own heart. I felt convicted through the book as I considered my level of leadership in a job I don’t love. Dr. Allen makes me want to steward my time and my school’s time (and money) better. Oh for grace!
October 26, 2022
This was a very good, quick read with plenty of substance and practical guidance. If you are in a leadership position at any institution (church, ministry, education), this will help and encourage you. Jason Allen shows that the basics of leadership, when vigorously applied and motivated by God’s glory, do work to bring change.
April 7, 2023
It’s been fascinating to watch Midwestern the last few years as it’s grown. It was great to hear more of the story from Jason Allen’s perspective. I appreciated as he used the story of Midwestern as the case study that he gave very tangible pieces of leadership advice as opposed to simply recommending a vague virtue such as growth in prayer and godliness.
July 4, 2023
I have read through this book twice now. The first time really getting a feel for how these leadership principles impacted the story of MBTS, and a second to think about how I can apply these concepts to my own leadership situation. This book is a great introductory book to various leadership principles and can be applied in numerous scenarios. I would highly recommend this book.
January 7, 2024
I generally don't read a lot of books squarely about leadership but as an MBTS alum I was fascinated with this one. Dr. Allen is a top leader in my generation and I am pleased to have him leading Midwestern into whatever future the Lord would have for it. Thank you for writing this book and inspiring me as I revitalize a local church.
July 6, 2023
Audible version.
Mostly derivative from other books on leadership.
The chapter 'Cultivate Trustworthiness' is very good.
Mostly derivative from other books on leadership.
The chapter 'Cultivate Trustworthiness' is very good.
August 16, 2023
Turnaround is not as egocentric as most leadership books, but if you don't want to hear about the success of Midwestern then you may need to turnaround now.
Jason Allen gives his experience of what he thinks changed the trajectory of Midwestern. By all accounts, it was bad when he got there. And the main reason I read this book was I've heard of the good changes that have come about since he arrived.
In Turnaround, Allen gives ten principles and practices to help guide leaders. Throughout the books he gives other methods as well, but who doesn't like a clean number, 10.
1. Know your context
2. Hold your convictions
3. Define your mission
4. Pursue your vision
5. Cultivate trustworthiness
6. Cherish your team
7. Insist on accountability
8. Steward your money
9. Communicate clearly
10. Foster the right culture
B. Grizenko
Jason Allen gives his experience of what he thinks changed the trajectory of Midwestern. By all accounts, it was bad when he got there. And the main reason I read this book was I've heard of the good changes that have come about since he arrived.
In Turnaround, Allen gives ten principles and practices to help guide leaders. Throughout the books he gives other methods as well, but who doesn't like a clean number, 10.
1. Know your context
2. Hold your convictions
3. Define your mission
4. Pursue your vision
5. Cultivate trustworthiness
6. Cherish your team
7. Insist on accountability
8. Steward your money
9. Communicate clearly
10. Foster the right culture
B. Grizenko
December 30, 2024
Very uplifting and informative book. Allen lays out 10 principals of leadership and how they have impacted Midwestern Seminary. Definitely worth reading.
June 6, 2023
An interesting, insightful, and intensely practical guide to institutional leadership. Dr. Jason K. Allen, president of Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, blends theological principles from Scripture, practical principles from the realm of business and strategic management, and his personal experiences at the helm of what has become one of the largest seminaries in the world to provide a helpful resource for leaders serving organizations in an array of contexts.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews