Daniel Im

Pastor + Author

Religion

Book Review: Spiritual Leadership – Blackaby’s

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The following is an analytical book review of Henry and Richard Blackaby’s Spiritual Leadership: Moving People on to God’s Agenda.

Henry Blackaby is the epitome of a lifelong learner and leader. He has extensive experience in pastoral ministry and is a consultant to CEOs and various Christian organizations, such as the Southern Baptist Convention. He has written various books, is a sought out speaker, and currently leads Henry Blackaby Ministries. Richard Blackaby, the son of Henry Blackaby, is also a writer and a sought out speaker. In addition, he has pastoral experience and is currently serving as the president of the Canadian Southern Baptist Seminary in Cochrane, Canada. Consequently, what stands out clearly is that both have strong ties to the Southern Baptist denomination.

The thesis of this book is that spiritual leadership is all about moving people from where they are to where God wants them to be.

There are differences between general and spiritual leadership principles, but the authors state that those who will lead according to spiritual principles will be far more effective in their leadership (14). Tied to that statement is the belief that God is the one who calls and equips individuals to be spiritual leaders (46).

Throughout this book, the authors present nuggets of wisdom that have been gleaned from their own leadership experience and that of others. As a result, this book almost seems like a compilation of essays exploring a variety of leadership issues. Generally though, the book begins by exploring why leadership is needed, the difference between general and spiritual leadership, and how leaders are developed. After covering those introductory issues, the authors continue to explore a variety of issues that leaders need to be aware of, such as: vision, character,  goals, influence, decision making, scheduling, pitfalls, and rewards. What holds this book together is the common thread that true leadership originates from God, points people towards God, and reflects the heart and action of God.

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An Artesian Spring Dialogue

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In the passage below, I love how Jesus exemplified dialogue education by being a guide on the side, rather than a sage on the stage. His love for the woman at the well and his disciples was clearly exemplified by his persistence to have them discover and encounter truth, and drink from the well of living artesian water.

Jesus accomplished this through dialogue and I want to do the same.

Jesus empowered the woman and his disciples through dialogue by hearing their stories, and I want to do the same.

I need to resist my tendency to assume that I understand those I am leading, and I need to engage them in dialogue by first hearing their story. It is only when I hear their story that I can faithfully teach them and love them in the way that Jesus would want me to.

“A woman, a Samaritan, came to draw water. Jesus said, “Would you give me a drink of water?” (His disciples had gone to the village to buy food for lunch.) [Read more…] about An Artesian Spring Dialogue

The Story of Jonah

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When’s the last time you’ve read the book of Jonah?

Try reading it through and see if you can make sense of this pictorial representation of the book.

Hint: The heart represents God’s heart for the nations of this world.

 

finally overcoming temptation?

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I don’t know about you, but I face temptation daily. Sometimes I overcome it, and other times I fall into the temptation and sin. There is no way to get rid of temptation completely, but God always promises us a way out of temptation:

“No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13)

The awesome thing is, God uses temptation to transform us and develop us:

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (James 1:2-4).

However, what practical things can we do to develop self-control in order to overcome temptation when it hits us? This is the question I asked myself while reading Kenneson’s Life on the Vine, and here’s my answer.
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