Christ in Church Leadership

This book is a valuable addition to the growing number of books on eldership. The authors explain the basic scriptural teaching of churches being led by a team of elders, but the book doesn't provide an in-depth examination of the doctrine of church elders. I don't think this was their intent. (For such a book, I recommend Alexander Strauch's "Biblical Eldership.") This book gives us more of an overview of many of the issues involved in the real-life ministry of a church elder. Along the way, they give us a number of excellent illustrations and examples from their own experiences in church leadership. These accounts alone are worth the price of the book. It's almost as if we become a fly on the wall, watching godly leaders strive to serve wisely and faithfully. (And there are also sobering cautionary tales of what can happen when we are not committed to leading God's people God's way.) There are many wonderful, memorable, insightful anecdotes. The authors cover most of the key areas related to this ministry: elder qualifications, selecting and appointing elders, the decision-making process, delegation, handling church finances, evaluating elders, interaction with the rest of the body, church discipline, etc. There are many nuggets of wisdom on these pages that elders (or potential elders) will benefit from. One that stands out for me is the balance of "hard minds and soft hearts" in chapter three. A great principle, very well explained. Of course, when authors give their views on the intricacies of church leadership, there are bound to be details with which some will take exception (as did I). But even if we don't completely agree with a certain application, the principles they are presenting can spur our own reflection and growth. I am somewhat confused regarding the apparent distinction between elders and pastors. The subtitle of the book is: A Handbook for Elders and Pastors. But they never seem to clearly define what they mean by pastor. In some places they stress a two-office NT church with elders and deacons, with the elders responsible for shepherding or pastoring the whole church. But at other times they seem to assume a distinction between "the pastor" and the elders (or even "his elders"), and assume that "the pastor" is the one primarily doing the preaching. It would have been helpful for the authors to have explained how they're using the term. Is a pastor simply a vocational ("full-time") elder? Is a pastor anyone with a shepherding ministry in the congregation? Or does "the pastor" constitute a specific church function in distinction to that of the elders? I'm not necessarily disagreeing with their approach, but I think it needs to be clarified. If churches utilize this book in training leaders, this is one significant area where they will need to make things clear for their people. The authors also seem to to feel that a unanimity among the elders---one that is properly arrived at---equates the mind of Christ. While I am also a

Winslow and Followwill have written an excellent book on proper leadership in the church.Among the important points the authors cover include:1. Excellent points on spirit vs. fleshly leadership.2. Characteristics of hard-minded and soft-minded leadership.3. The differences between spritual and secular leadership.4. Roles of elders in the church.5. Apart from Christ, we are nothing!6. Excellent notes on the importance of listening to God and why we need to spend enough time for this.7. Points on achieving unity in important decisions.8. Principles for discipling elders.The book has an excellent scriptural foundation. Read and be encouraged and challenged to lead by the Spirit instead of the flesh!