The Three Tasks of Leadership: Worldly Wisdom for Pastoral Leaders

by Eric O. Jacobsen

This book unpacks business leader Max De Pree's famous definition of leadership ― originally given for the business world ― and applies it to the church. Eighteen theologians and pastors here offer essays echoing that definition. The Three Tasks of Leadership is refreshingly free of jargon, full of practical and inspirational advice, and perfect for both pastors in the field and pastors in formation. / David Augsburger, Robert Banks, James E. Bradley, Mark Lau Branson, Sherwood Lingenfelter, Richard J. Mouw, Nancy Ortburg, Richard Peace, Charles J. Scalise, Wilbert R. Shenk, Marguerite Shuster, Siang-Yang Tan, Dennis N. Voskuil, Linda Wagener, Howard Wilson, and Walt Wright

220 pages, Paperback

First published January 15, 2009

About the author

Eric O. Jacobsen (PhD, Fuller Theological Seminary) is senior pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Tacoma, Washington. He is the author of Sidewalks in the Kingdom: New Urbanism and the Christian Faith and numerous articles exploring connections between the Christian community, the church, and traditional neighborhoods. He is also the coeditor of Traditions in Leadership and The Three Tasks of Leadership.

Reviews

[Andy Hickman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jacobsen says leadership is managing relationships through the processes of change.(p49)
These relationships reveal differences in power and need to be directed toward the greater good of the team so that each relationship embodies the culture of the whole group. (p52)

Jacobsen, Eric O. (ed). The Three Tasks of Leadership: Worldly Wisdom for Pastoral Leaders. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2009.