Excellent book putting Western leadership styles to rest. Servant leadership, the kind evidenced and taught by Jesus, is absolutely, unequivocally essential to a vital Christian church and a true Christian life. "The Jesus Style" is an easy-to-understand and often-brilliant introduction to leading and living "Jesus style". There are some other books and thinkers suggesting these things, but they aren't as plentiful as they should be. This book deconstructs hurtful and worldly leadership styles, while simultaneously keeping the focus on the alternative rather than deteriorating into a cynical bitch fest about the current state of things.
Do we dare to actually model our lives after Jesus? Here is a better question, do we dare not to model ourselves after Jesus? Jesus calls us to follow His example, which is radically different and contrary to what we are used to. Gayle does a masterful job of drawing out deep heart issues and practical life issues to challenge us. Jesus’ example is so simple, and yet these points will stretch us to the limit if we seriously consider following Him. Applying these truths will require a transformation of our lives from top to bottom, from work to family, from leisure to service. Are you ready to be challenged to the core? Are you ready to put into practice the truths that Jesus taught? Jesus humbled Himself. He did not lord over others (even though He had the right to). Jesus lived as an example and served His followers. Jesus did not force people to follow, but took a position of lowliness, last or least. Through it all Jesus fully obeyed the Father and kept His heart pure. Although this example seems way beyond our reach, Gayle helps us to understand what each one really means for us today. He delivers solid, simple, powerful application for living the Jesus style. -Jerry “The world has seen no power greater than that of Jesus, and the church exercises no power greater than that of living and loving lifestyle of Jesus” (Gayle Erwin, page 162)
It's good, not great. He raises some legitimate points on the weaknesses of modern Christianity; however, he sounds sympathetic to the ecumenical movement when he mentioned that old traditions were the cause of separation between Protestants and Catholics. In reality, Christians and Catholics are distinct because of doctrine, not simply tradition. Such separation is not a bad thing because it is better to clearly define belief systems than to cause confusion.
Great little book on Christ modeled life and ministry, full of love and grace in everything. I’ve always loved his messages and the way he does things resonates with me so much. Good book from a good man.
A great book on leadership in the style of Jesus. It focuses on his humanity, and helps us to see him the way his disciples would have seen him. I learned a ton from this book.
Rescues Biblical passages from familiarity and reexamines them to seek Jesus approach as well as the content of what He teaches. The phrasing and illustrations of the author are both memorable, and hearing him actually read the audiobook, free from servants.org,is a treat. Especially appreciated the passages comparing serving to being manipulated and on parenting as a servant.
Some parts of the book are a powerful pronouncement against the church “business”: pouring efforts and resources into buildings, positions and presentations, instead of evangelism, discipleship and fellowship. However other parts of the book advise a disbanding of church constitution and structure, to provoke revival. Doesn’t make sense to me and seems to invite “wolves among the sheep”. There is a lot of emphasis on love and servant hood, but not much, if any, of the book lists the essential elements of Bible study and prayer.
Jesus was a revolutionary. His teaching, actions, and -later- His followers turned the ancient world upside down. How then, can we comfortably claim to be His followers? Gayle has a gentle, humorous style that gets me laughing at myself and questioning my choices and perceptions. He exposes us to a Jesus we might have thought we knew, but never actually saw. This can be a life-changing book, if you let it, and the changes can be joyful and (nearly) pain free.
Interesting read! I always getting new perspective on Jesus by way of cultural relevance. The apolitical call to action on behalf of the church was very cool, especially given today’s political Christian climate.
The chapters were short and easy to read—so much so that you could breeze through and not chew on the concepts by mistake.
The is an older book written in 1983. I highly recommend it to every Christian especially those Christians in leadership. The author shares how leadership would be different if the leader modeled the style that Jesus demonstrated. As you read the quotes below I'm sure you will be challenged as I was:
Those who lead in the kingdom of God are to recognize that every Christian has a unique and direct relationship to Christ, the head of the church. Unlike world systems whose goal is control, the kingdom leader is chosen to equip people for ministry, to bring unity in faith and knowledge, and to mature people so as to provide stability.
Someone who is at the top of a pyramid of authority finds himself isolated from reality. Those beneath him no longer give complete honesty. The “top” person is told by those under him only what is necessary to protect their jobs. The only means by which the person at the top can be assured of honesty and truthfulness from those beneath him is to make himself of “no reputation” – to lay aside his power and authority and approach them as a servant. And that initiative must first be taken by the person at the top. It cannot come from those beneath him – only revolution comes from that direction in the nature of Jesus, it is only possible to submit downward in the human realm.
The law demanded righteousness – grace delivered righteousness. The law required – grace provided. The law was pressure – grace was relief. The law was bondage – grace was freedom. Grace and truth can only be modeled in the light, in being seen. Because of the very nature of grace, we have no reason to hide: “whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God” (John 3:21).
People are the realm of God. His inscription is on us. He has created us in His image and we are to be given to Him. His making Himself poor was not to create a dramatic show and this impress the world or simply prove to Himself that he could do it. No, He made himself poor for our benefit – so that by his poverty we might be made rich.
If we must have buildings, then let us break away from the theater designs of the last centuries in which the performance on the stage is the most important thing and all seats are fixed in that direction. Let us begin to design buildings that will enhance the interaction of the body and give us a chance to fulfill the call to love one another. Let it be known that the congregation is where the action is and God, nor our structure, is the center of worship. Let us drop the Saturday marquee page in the newspaper that tells what performance is going on where in our efforts to lure fish away from another fishbowl.
At a Christian festival, I had a conversation with two couples, one of which was Buddhist, in response to a session I had taught in the afternoon. About halfway through the conversation, the Christian man lit a cigarette, then apologized, saying he wanted to give them up because they hurt his witness.
The Buddhist woman responded with a statement that continues to shake me. She said, “We non-Christians, when one of our rank becomes a Christian, do not watch them to see how well they live up to some self-imposed standard of piety. We watch them to see how they start treating people.” I felt as if I had heard the word of the Lord from her. The Pharisees could accuse Jesus of being a glutton and a winebibber, but they could not accuse Him of not loving people. He had succeeded. He had been obedient to his Father.
Erwin writes in plain prose and exhorts us back to the cross, although he is boring, redundant and trite. Having met and talked with some people who have been deeply influenced by this book - and the author, whom they knew personally - I read through this book in one sitting, and was not impressed.
The exhortations are , and the theology is correct, I guess I just don't understand the point of the book, I suppose. There are scores of other books that are far superior exhortations unto holiness than this book. For instance, Thomas à Kempis' Imitations of Christ. There are far too many books that sadly fall into the "Never Should Have Been Written" category. Quite frankly, this was one of them.
Good book about Christ modeling servanthood for us
The thesis of this challenging book is that the Jesus style is a servant leadership by example lifestyle.And just as Christ put others first in his ministry, we are to put others first in our own Christ empowered ministries.
The Study guide questions at the back of the book are extremely helpful for taking a Sunday school class or Bible study class through the book.
I gave the book 4 stars because I felt that there were a few places where Erwin's interpretations of certain gospel scripture passages could have been better and tighter. But it's still a very good book.
This book changed my view and relationship with Jesus Christ..Who do You say that I AM Jesus asked? (Matthew 16:15-17)How we answer this question defines our relationship with God and how strong and defining that relationship will be! Gayle is very good at cutting through religious misunderstandings of who Jesus was, and presents in a clear understandable way the fullness of Jesus that all (who desire) can relate to and follow..
El autor nos muestra a un Jesús cercano, un Jesús que se hizo como nosotros para salvarnos . Un Jesús 100% Dios y 100 % hombre, un Jesús al que podemos seguir y del que podemos aprender como vivir. El autor muestra el carácter de Cristo reflejado en sus acciones y lleva al cristiano a actuar como Él. No estoy de acuerdo con algunas posiciones del autor, pero es un libro interesante que reta al cristiano y vale la pena leer pero acompañado de la Biblia que es la máxima autoridad
This book is definitely based on scriptural principles. I have heard this author speak on multiple occasions, but was sadly dissapointed in his writing style. He is a much better orator than author. The material was spot on, I just felt it was not presented in the best way possible. I guess I was hoping for a style more like Lucado.
This is one of my favorite books on Jesus- it expands on his ministry, his specific actions and his servant lifestyle. I studied it with a group of young adults and it was challenging and life changing in the area of how to apply servanthood to everyday life. A great book for a small group discussion, particularly new Christians or young adults.
Great substance, practical application, easy read. Great for personal reading or small group settings. Can't read this book without reading and answering the chapter reflection questions in the back of the book. Would have liked more direct scripture references on bottom of pages or embedded throughout the book.
Mr. Erwin has some interesting stories and insights into becoming more Christlike and learning to love as he did. I don't like the New American English translation, as I think it really does detract from the original Greek translation as found in the King James Version of the Bible.