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Organic Leadership: Leading Naturally Right Where You Are
Is it possible that the division between the clergy and the laity is unnecessary and, in fact, harmful to the church? In Organic Leadership, Neil Cole fervently says yes. But rather than doing away with the clergy, Cole argues that the answer is to raise up organically grown leaders from ordinary Christians and make everyone "clergy." Using examples from modern cinema, personal experience, and the Bible, Cole sets out to change our view of what a leader is and how one is formed. This fresh and revolutionary alternative will transform readers and equip them to challenge themselves and others to find the vision God has for them.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published February 1, 2009
16 people are currently reading
159 people want to read
About the author
Neil Cole
60 books36 followersNeil Cole was born and raised in Los Angeles, CA. While studying at CSULB he encountered the Good News of Jesus Christ and turned his life over to Him, never looking back. His journey in God's kingdom brought him to serve in a mega church, a local community church and now small rapidly multiplying organic churches that meet in homes, campuses and places of business all over the world. Neil travels around the world sowing the seeds of God's kingdom, catalyzing the development of organic church networks and coaching leaders. He has been married for over 26 years to Dana and has three adult children--Heather, Erin and Zach.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
October 16, 2013
It's a great read. Neil is very straightforward in what he believes and how he communicates it, but he does it in a way where you are really challenged to think about things. For me what he had to say about certain things has caused my thinking to re-adjust, for the good, toward a more Biblical perspective. Well done Neil.
March 5, 2012
It deals with some difficult topics, but makes you think outside the typical box!
June 16, 2013
In his book Organic Leadership, Neal Cole proposes a new paradigm for ministry and leadership. He contends that “weeds” have choked out the fruitfulness of the body and argues for a paradigm-shift from institutional to organic; a simple, reproducible form which he describes as leading naturally right where you are. Cole begins by challenging the status quo. He describes various "weeds" such as consumerism, Phariseeism, and a distinction between clergy and laity which he sees as significant threats to growth and health of the church. Shockingly, Cole suggests that Christian leaders are themselves "bottlenecks" to the advance of the kingdom. In contrast to these broken systems, Cole explains that the kingdom of God is radically different. In the following chapters he describes it as "inside-out," "upside-down," "side-by-side," and "plugged-in." Cole explains that in the Kingdom, leadership is different. He argues for a reproducible teaching style and easily transferable materials which fit in multiple contexts. He suggested that a successful leader is one who works him or herself out of a job by reproducing himself. In conclusion, Cole tells the compelling stories of some who have embraced the vision articulated. Cole describes leaders who have left the security of staff roles in "the church" and are planting organic churches while working in and contributing to their communities in other ways as well.
While Organic Leadership is written in a conversational manner, it is a theological book addressing some of my favorite topics; the church, discipleship and leadership. These fundamental questions about the nature and form of the church have come to be subjects of personal study and passion over the past six years. Although I was familiar with Neal Cole prior to reading this book, it was my first substantive interaction with his writing. There is much in Cole’s vision of the church that I wholeheartedly embrace. His insistence that discipleship cannot be equated with information-transfer fits with my own conviction that transformation must be the goal (p. 26). Moreover, his focus on reproduction and simplicity is a critical insight which seemingly has been overlooked in models of ministry which demand seminary-trained small group leaders. I believe Cole’s ecclesiology hits close, rightly viewing the church as a body on mission, when he rejects the secular-sacred divide (p. 101), and suggests that Para-church entities are “sodalities” rather than separate organisms (p. 122). Cole’s thoroughgoing focus on the organic nature of the church is a needed rebuttal to the programmatic, attractional American church, and, at least at points, Cole seems to exhibit the wisdom to recognize legitimate diversity in forms (p. 257).
A few of the best quotes:
"When we confuse knowledge with maturity, we allow for a congregation to take in lots of teaching without any accountability for obedience, in the result is less maturity, not more." p. 26.
"The health of any organization can be evaluated in direct proportion to its willingness to die. The more vested they are in self-preservation the less health it will have. The more willing to die so that the kingdom can flourish, the healthier the organization is." p. 274.
While Organic Leadership is written in a conversational manner, it is a theological book addressing some of my favorite topics; the church, discipleship and leadership. These fundamental questions about the nature and form of the church have come to be subjects of personal study and passion over the past six years. Although I was familiar with Neal Cole prior to reading this book, it was my first substantive interaction with his writing. There is much in Cole’s vision of the church that I wholeheartedly embrace. His insistence that discipleship cannot be equated with information-transfer fits with my own conviction that transformation must be the goal (p. 26). Moreover, his focus on reproduction and simplicity is a critical insight which seemingly has been overlooked in models of ministry which demand seminary-trained small group leaders. I believe Cole’s ecclesiology hits close, rightly viewing the church as a body on mission, when he rejects the secular-sacred divide (p. 101), and suggests that Para-church entities are “sodalities” rather than separate organisms (p. 122). Cole’s thoroughgoing focus on the organic nature of the church is a needed rebuttal to the programmatic, attractional American church, and, at least at points, Cole seems to exhibit the wisdom to recognize legitimate diversity in forms (p. 257).
A few of the best quotes:
"When we confuse knowledge with maturity, we allow for a congregation to take in lots of teaching without any accountability for obedience, in the result is less maturity, not more." p. 26.
"The health of any organization can be evaluated in direct proportion to its willingness to die. The more vested they are in self-preservation the less health it will have. The more willing to die so that the kingdom can flourish, the healthier the organization is." p. 274.
February 26, 2016
The book addresses the problems of contemporary leadership such as lack of leaders, maturation of existing leaders, and multiplication of leadership. Cole's goal is to find organic principles that work in any culture or context. His sources are Scripture and his personal experience of starting and multiplying numerous churches. Cole suggests that true leadership emerges when people develop their characters by peeling off the old and building up the new (140-148). Success is determined by faithfulness, fruitfulness, and finishing well (149-162).
The principles that Cole (re)discovers are revolutionary in many ways. For example, Cole takes the commandment of Jesus about belittling self in order to become a leader and suggests appointing leaders those who strive in servanthood. Thus, leaders are not "borrowed" from somewhere else, but are grown from within a community. Moreover, such leaders reproduce a church if they succeed in converting their relatives and friends.
Pros:
- Easy read supplied with numerous stories and buttressed by Cole's vast personal experience.
- Emphasis on natural development of Kingdom supported by thoughts from Scripture.
- Many suggested ideas do sound as applicable in various cultures.
Future and existing leaders, leaders who would like to multiply, and visionaries find many promising and deep suggestions in the book.
The principles that Cole (re)discovers are revolutionary in many ways. For example, Cole takes the commandment of Jesus about belittling self in order to become a leader and suggests appointing leaders those who strive in servanthood. Thus, leaders are not "borrowed" from somewhere else, but are grown from within a community. Moreover, such leaders reproduce a church if they succeed in converting their relatives and friends.
Pros:
- Easy read supplied with numerous stories and buttressed by Cole's vast personal experience.
- Emphasis on natural development of Kingdom supported by thoughts from Scripture.
- Many suggested ideas do sound as applicable in various cultures.
Future and existing leaders, leaders who would like to multiply, and visionaries find many promising and deep suggestions in the book.
November 29, 2014
Organic Leadership contains some very good information about leadership mixed in with Neil Cole getting on his soapbox about churches needing to grow organically and become organic. While I agree that organic growth is important and starting organic churches is vital to the future of the church, I am not so sure we should throw the baby out with the bath water. Cole has to defend himself numerous times because he steps on many established church toes, some of which should be stepped on. I just believe that there is a middle ground where established churches can grow and change to be more organic without completely upsetting the apple cart. Too many pastors can exegete the scriptures, but not the culture so the try to blame the culture instead of trying to change the heart of the individual. I don't think Organic Leadership espouses tearing down the established church to make it more organic, but it walks a thin line in my opinion.
June 20, 2014
The key idea that I think is applicable is the idea that (church) leadership structure is a triangle laid on the ground. The leader is at the peak of this triangle I.e leading in front while the rest is following behind. Not a leading over like the corporate manner. The Lord is sovereignly leading all, as we are following the leader. Beautiful picture!
March 15, 2016
Wow... this book takes a critical look at the institution of the church. I don't agree with all of it, but it provokes some interesting questions about how we go about ministry and outreach. I love its emphasis on mentoring - this may be the most powerful take-away for me personally. I highy recommend it, but it is not for those entrenched in the ways we have always done things.
May 5, 2016
Excellent
I learned, I'm challenged and I feel affirmed. It is worth and has lead me to other books that Neil Cole has written.
I learned, I'm challenged and I feel affirmed. It is worth and has lead me to other books that Neil Cole has written.
September 13, 2018
Immature.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews