Here is a book that focuses on the biblical principles of leadership. Brian Dodd doesn't start with the premise of the world and corporate principles, but rather with the Scripture. He concentrates on the examples of Jesus and the Apostle Paul as models for what leaders are called to be and to do.

The role of the Holy Spirit in Paul's ministry and leadership is emphasized again and again. Paul's effectiveness was a God thing, and not a man thing. His chapter on "followship" and self-surrender have some good thoughts about a leader turning over his pride and self-centeredness to the Lord. He makes a crucial point about Paul being a follower rather than a planner. An example is the statement on p. 33, "We have to face the facts. The description of events in Acts is not that Paul was the master visionary who laid out a fifteen-year plan to evangelize major centers in the Roman Empire, who would in turn evangelize their regions." He says it was more a stop-and-start process with interruptions and changes of direction.

In "Self-surrender," he writes of having our wills broken and tamed. He quotes Spurgeon, "Is it not a curious thing that, whenever God means to make a man great, He always breaks him in pieces first." In order for a leader to accomplish God's will requires yieldedness to the Lord. Many times that will in turn require a spiritual brokenness.

He covers well the subject of paying the price by carrying the cross. Dodd also hones in on the power of personal example and of partnership with others in the body of Christ. He has a good chapter on the importance of prayer in releasing the power of the Holy Spirit as the main weapon in doing spiritual warfare.

His chapter on servant leadership means, in his words, to go low in humble service and not worry about following the world in going high for reasons of honor and prestige.

Dodd adds an appendix in which he describes Paul's leadership as driven by a burden to do what the Lord wanted him to do. Then he criticizes both secular and Christian writings on leadership where they emphasize the importance of vision planning. He offers his organization Share Jesus! as a practical Mission Planning Tool for outreach ministry. In his plan he includes a mission burden, mission objectives, mission preparations and follow-up plans. His plan is not all that different than what other Christian leaders are seeking to do. Having said this, I still think his book has good value on the importance concerning what a leader is to be before he thinks about what he is to do.

Richard Aeschliman
Resource Coordinator,
CE&P

Back to Equip Page