The God Who Goes before You: Pastoral Leadership as Christ-Centered Followership

by Timothy Paul Jones; Michael S. Wilder

Publisher:

B&H

, 2018

Overview

In The God Who Goes before You, Michael S. Wilder and Timothy Paul Jones establish a foundation for Christian leadership that draws not from human assumptions, but from the wisdom of God.

By considering the whole canon of Scripture as their supreme and sufficient authority, Wilder and Jones present both pastors and laity with a Christ-centered, kingdom-focused vision of godly leadership.

When it comes to leadership, there is much to be learned from empirical research and from marketplace leaders. However, without Scripture as our authority, flawed views of God's purposes and human nature will skew our understanding of the character and practices of God-called leaders. In this book, Wilder and Jones redefine leadership as Christ-centered followership and present a radically countercultural perspective on leadership practices in the church today.

Key Features

• Lays out a compelling and thoroughly theological vision for leadership that highlights the character of God and the centrality of the gospel in everything leaders do
• Seeks to approach leadership as more than business-oriented best practices or pragmatic commitment
• Stresses the centeredness of Jesus's leadership in the cross and resurrection and the need to treat his leadership in the context of the whole canon of Scripture

Contents

Top Highlights

“The power that a leader exercises is not the leader’s but Christ’s; the truth that the leader is called to proclaim is not the leader’s vision but God’s revelation; and the position to which the leader is called is not sovereignty over the community but stewardship within the community, submitted to the leadership of Christ.” (Page 3)

“The truth that the leader is called to proclaim is not the leader’s vision but God’s revelation.” (Page 10)

“Leadership as followership was part of God’s design from the beginning. Faithful leadership relies on the faithfulness, presence, and power of God.” (Page 27)

“Leadership calls for the pursuit of God’s justice in the context of a covenant community.” (Page 10)

“(1) A Christian leader is, first and foremost, a follower” (Page 21)

Praise for The God Who Goes before You

"Churches close daily due to poor pastoral leadership. This book offers pastors an answer to that problem - a biblical answer... Chapter by chapter, Jones and Wilder ask, 'What about you?' It is a hint of the value and practicality of this work."

Gary J. Bredfeldt, professor of leadership, Liberty University

"Ready to rethink pastoral leadership through a Scriptural lens? Jones and Wilder, with decades of pastoral leadership experience, have crafted a unique text on leadership for pastors."

Kenneth S. Coley, senior professor of Christian education, director of Ed.D. studies, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

"There are many leadership books available to the church, but few speak with a prophetic voice that addresses timely leadership issues... The book you hold in your hands is such a voice. As churches continue to rise and often fall around the personality and charisma of one domineering leader, The God Who Goes Before You is a needed voice to bring balance."

Brian Croft, senior pastor, Auburndale Baptist Church, Louisville, KY

Product Details

• Title: The God Who Goes before You: Pastoral Leadership as Christ-Centered Followership
• Authors: Timothy Paul Jones, Michael S. Wilder
• Publisher: B&H
• Print Publication Date: 2018
• Logos Release Date: 2021
• Era: era:contemporary
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• Subject: RELIGION / Christian Living / Leadership & Mentoring
• ISBNs: 9781430074984, 9781433691690, 1433691698, 1430074981
• Resource ID: LLS:9781433691690
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2024-03-06T20:44:00Z