The Painful Side of Leadership: Moving Forward Even When It Hurts

by Jeff Iorg

Christian leadership is often likened to the peaceful image of a shepherd leading his sheep. But the truth is that sheep tend to wander toward trouble, and shepherds don’t always handle the challenges of their job with grace and ease. The Painful Side of Leadership encourages and equips Christian leaders with biblical insights to better manage painful ministry circumstances, relationships, and choices. Author and seminary president Jeff Iorg writes candidly throughout to those who may feel beaten up by their mistakes, their critics, or having to make unpopular decisions. His insights are framed with chapters about why painful things happen to Christian leaders in the first place and the hope that God always provides when a leader is hurting.

Genres: Leadership, Self Help

288 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2009

About the author

Dr. Iorg teaches leadership, preaching, and church ministry courses at Gateway Seminary. He speaks frequently on these subjects in conferences and other venues, including college campuses and leadership seminars. His publications include six books: The Painful Side of Leadership, The Character of Leadership, Is God Calling Me?, The Case for Antioch, Seasons of a Leader’s Life, Unscripted and his latest, Ministry in the New Marriage Culture. Iorg has also written dozens of articles and curriculum materials.

Iorg is a graduate of Hardin Simmons University (B.A.), Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (M.Div.) and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (D.Min.). He is married to Ann, has three adult children, and three grandchildren. His hobbies include reading fiction, cheering on the Oregon Ducks, and searching for the world’s best barbeque restaurant.

Reviews

[Allison Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

A practical and theologically-sound guide to dealing with the pains that often go hand-in-hand with ministry leadership.

[Stan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! This book took a while to read. Why? Because it is excellent, but you need time to process what you are reading. Jeff Iorg tackles many situations that a Christian leader will most likely confront during a lifetime of ministry, whether it be in a local church or a Christian Institution. He offers plenty of examples of how leaders can experience the painful side of leadership, but he also offers sage advice for how to manage and reduce the pain involved. Sage advice!

One thing I did notice though - most of the painful side of leaderships stems from the fact that many Christian leaders are ministering in an institutionalized church reality. I often found myself thinking - the NT would not have dealt with that issue because, for example, it did not hire employees. So, many of the painful aspects of modern Christian leadership would not have existed in the early church. Even still, there are several aspects of the painful side of leadership that would have been present in the NT church.

A great read for Christian leaders. And, more of a manual that you'll come back to many times during different situations in a lifetime of ministry.

[Lynette Karg · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found the first half to be really helpful, I think in large part to it being more Scripturally based. Some of the later chapters seemed to be drawn more from common sense and psychology and I didn't find them as helpful. Having just survived (barely) a painful ministry situation, it was a very timely read and helped me see that we were not alone.

[Kyle Bueermann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best leadership books I’ve read, hands down. Dr. Iorg recounts experiences from his own life - positive and negative -and how those have shaped him as a leader.

Pain is a natural part of leading. But he points out some big pitfalls to avoid to not make the journey MORE painful.

While the book is focused primarily on spiritual leadership, especially pastoring, the principles apply to any leadership position.

Highly recommended.

[Nicole Des Isles]

Hvvubhfij!b

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very good book that will help pastors and Christian leaders navigate leadership when it gets painful.

[Travis Agnew · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love to find resources that have biblical lessons and personal testimonies of the good and the bad of leadership. This volume is extremely encouraging and practical for Christian leaders.

[Andrew Watkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best, most practical books on ministry leadership I’ve read!

[Earl Pestano · Rating 5 out of 5]

I hope all Hurting Pastors could read this book. So scriptually saturated, and so rich in practical application. A fountain of wisdom coming from a seasoned and well-learned pastor.

[Nathan Farley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of those leadership books that each person should keep close to them at all times. The author talks about a wide variety of issues, and then offers such practical wisdom you must choose to obey or disobey. It’s impossible to walk way confused on what he thinks you should do.

Leadership is glamorized in a lot of spaces, but the author of this book talks about the leadership you see in the trenches… the painful side that view people prepare you for.

[Bob Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maybe it just spoke to my current situation but this was a good look at the difficulties one encounters as a leader, some of those difficulties from extenal sources, some self-inflicted. Transparent in talking about his own painful times, including his failures. Topics: INTRODUCTION: Why leading Christians is painful, General strategies for managing painful situations; PAINFUL CIRCUMSTANCES: Dealing with disappointment, Resolving your mistakes, Coping with Loneliness, Living in the spotlighT; PAINFUL RELATIONSHIPS: Understanding criticism, Handling criticism, Managing followers in conflict, Terminating someone from your team; PAINFUL CHOICES: Taking a courageous stand, Leading a significant change, Modeling a challenging commitment, Moving to a new position; CONCLUSION: Hope�God's gift to hurting leaders

[Ogouma Tony · Rating 3 out of 5]

We always think that leadership is about man great things. But we sometime seem to forget that as a leader we may face many painful situation, not necessarily because we are the cause, but also that the cause may be not our fault or in our control.
Knowing that leadership can have a painful side will prepare the leader to face them when they appear.

[Rand Hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jeff Iorg has had his share of painful leadership experiences. They are the basis of an outstanding look at the pain of leadership, it origins, and how you can navigate the pain and continue. This is a very practical book. If you are a leader you will relate to the contents.

[Pastor Ron]

Jeff's own struggles with leadership inside the local church made this read as interesting as it gets. Recommend this to all ministry leaders.

[Emmanuel Boston · Rating 4 out of 5]

**Not a full review:

Easy to read
Lots of examples... good or bad dependent upon reading/thinking preference
Accomplishes the thesis adequately

[Rich Thornton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helpful leadership thoughts

The author shares a lot of ideas on leading through difficult times. He shares some good examples and obviously is vulnerable along the way.

[Jamie Fugate · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book very helpful and challenging.