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The Leadership Paradox
What is the key to effective leadership?
The ability to organize and take charge?
The ability to preach and teach?
Entrepreneurial skill?
A charismatic personality?
According to Jesus, none of the above.
Jesus is unarguably the greatest leader the world has ever seen. His three years of public ministry in an obscure and troublesome corner of the Roman Empire not only irrevocably changed Roman civilization, but every other civilization that has subsequently emerged.
Yet, remarkably, Jesus spoke very little about leadership and even less about how to attain it.
Perhaps that is why many of today's corporate-driven churches prefer to draw upon the leadership styles of Moses, David, Nehemiah, or Paul. Denny Gunderson challenges us to think again.
This refreshingly candid book draws us to the Master's side. From this vantage point, we observe Jesus through the eyes of people who experienced him firsthand. And through their eyes we discover surprising insights that will challenge us to rethink our leadership stereotypes.
The ability to organize and take charge?
The ability to preach and teach?
Entrepreneurial skill?
A charismatic personality?
According to Jesus, none of the above.
Jesus is unarguably the greatest leader the world has ever seen. His three years of public ministry in an obscure and troublesome corner of the Roman Empire not only irrevocably changed Roman civilization, but every other civilization that has subsequently emerged.
Yet, remarkably, Jesus spoke very little about leadership and even less about how to attain it.
Perhaps that is why many of today's corporate-driven churches prefer to draw upon the leadership styles of Moses, David, Nehemiah, or Paul. Denny Gunderson challenges us to think again.
This refreshingly candid book draws us to the Master's side. From this vantage point, we observe Jesus through the eyes of people who experienced him firsthand. And through their eyes we discover surprising insights that will challenge us to rethink our leadership stereotypes.
- GenresLeadership
160 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 1997
1 person is currently reading
42 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
January 4, 2019
I am currently doing research on leadership for a book I am writing about spiritual gifts. When I saw this book by YWAM missionary, Denny Gunderson, I got really excited, because I know that many folks in Youth With A Mission not only are familiar with spiritual gifts, but definitely lead well.
This book is really not so much about the gift of leadership as it is about the practice and attitudes of Christ-centered leaders. It warns about the pitfalls of control, stardom, favoritism and compromise. Other chapters focus on our acceptance, humility, integrity and trusting God enough to release others into ministry. In a world so enamored with the powerful and the flamboyant, this author paints a picture of the leader who is meek and unobtrusive. He uses imaginative scenes from Bible times and personal experiences as illustrations and explains biblical concepts in a down-to-earth, easy-to-understand manner. You don't have to be a Bible scholar, preacher or teacher to learn and apply the principles in this book. Nearly everyone is a leader to some degree, and this book can help you be more of a leader like Jesus.
If you are looking for a good book that paints a picture of the heart of a Christ-centered leader, this is a good choice. With a mere ten chapters in 156 pages with questions for personal study after each one, it would work as a devotional for a week and a half. Christians in or considering leadership could use the question for group discussion on a small group study. Whichever route you choose, be prepared for a journey that will transform the way you influence others!
This book is really not so much about the gift of leadership as it is about the practice and attitudes of Christ-centered leaders. It warns about the pitfalls of control, stardom, favoritism and compromise. Other chapters focus on our acceptance, humility, integrity and trusting God enough to release others into ministry. In a world so enamored with the powerful and the flamboyant, this author paints a picture of the leader who is meek and unobtrusive. He uses imaginative scenes from Bible times and personal experiences as illustrations and explains biblical concepts in a down-to-earth, easy-to-understand manner. You don't have to be a Bible scholar, preacher or teacher to learn and apply the principles in this book. Nearly everyone is a leader to some degree, and this book can help you be more of a leader like Jesus.
If you are looking for a good book that paints a picture of the heart of a Christ-centered leader, this is a good choice. With a mere ten chapters in 156 pages with questions for personal study after each one, it would work as a devotional for a week and a half. Christians in or considering leadership could use the question for group discussion on a small group study. Whichever route you choose, be prepared for a journey that will transform the way you influence others!
April 7, 2012
Fantastic book! I was required to read this for a leadership course I'm part of, but it wasn't a boring read at all! The author focuses on the leadership Jesus as the ultimate model for servant leadership. He uses fictionalized accounts from people surrounding Jesus [Peter, James, John, the woman with the alabaster box] to really capture the paradox of His leadership. Jesus didn't come to be served but to serve. Each chapter is filled with practical leadership principles, examples and discussion questions. It's a fantastic read that I highly recommend!
January 4, 2025
The best book I've read on leadership. I'd give 10 stars if I could. Highly recommend.
January 29, 2015
Challenging & refreshing.
“When being is divorced from doing, pious thoughts become an adequate substitute for washing dirty feet.” quote by Brennan Manning. (p105)
“When words predominate, actions are slighted. When actions predominate, words bear witness. Your actions speak so loud, I can't hear what you're saying.” - Denny Gunderson (p108)
Gunderson, Denny. The Leadership Paradox – A Challenge to Servant Leadership in a Power Hungry World. Seattle, WA: YWAM Publishing, 1997.
“When being is divorced from doing, pious thoughts become an adequate substitute for washing dirty feet.” quote by Brennan Manning. (p105)
“When words predominate, actions are slighted. When actions predominate, words bear witness. Your actions speak so loud, I can't hear what you're saying.” - Denny Gunderson (p108)
Gunderson, Denny. The Leadership Paradox – A Challenge to Servant Leadership in a Power Hungry World. Seattle, WA: YWAM Publishing, 1997.
September 14, 2024
Tells biblical stories with a fresh perspective (like it’s happening in real time) and gives practical advice and wisdom that you can apply immediately. 2nd time reading it and it was just as good as the first!
August 17, 2016
A humble and Biblical view of leadership. True to the model of leadership our Lord Jesus Christ gave us. Edited-to-add: Three years after finishing this book, I'm adding a star to my rating based on the number of times I think about something I learned in this book and the effect it has had on my motivations to serve those I lead.
February 8, 2016
If you like the gospel of John, you'll probably like this.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews