Gary L. McIntosh | Samuel D. Rima
1 Must-Read for Every Pastor or Pastoral Supporter!
I've reviewed many books here, and seldom do I say that one is a must-read for every pastor. This title however, falls into that category. Not only is it of enormous benefit to pastors, but it will be very helpful in granting insight to others who want to understand better the enormous challenges we face and the dark side we all possess.
For pastors, this book is eye-opening in asserting that all of us must deal with a dark side in one form or another. For people supportive of us, this volume takes us off any super-human pedestal (we never really belonged there in the first place). It does so by providing insight into our very unique humanity that we too often deny.
This book is the first of its kind, and hopefully not the last. It is well worth the small investment required to purchase and the short time required to read.
2 Protect Yourself From Moral Failure
Overcoming the Dark Side of Leadership is a sobering account of what can happen when we refuse to allow God to deal with our inner being.
Indeed, with the moral failures we have seen in the ministry, business, and politics, anyone can benefit from this book. Among the important points the authors cover include:
1. Characteristics of particular types of leadership personalities.
2. Denying our dark side is dangerous to us and those around us.
3. Examining our past should serve not to assign blame to others, but to understand the influences in our lives and allow God to help us overcome those influences.
4. Beware of unrealistic expectations! (yours or others).
5. The importance of a daily quiet time and periodic retreats.
6. Our position in Christ is much more important than our position on earth.
7. No one is immune from the dark side.
8. Pride, selfishness, and self-deception are some of the tendencies that relate to our dark side.
Definitely a recommended read for anyone in a position of leadership or anyone who perceives the need to honestly examine their lives before God.
3 Very helpful personally
This book has been very helpful to me personally. I think most all American leaders ought to read this or something similar.
It did not so much show me something new about myself as distill many things which I knew to be true, and show me how they influenced me as a leader.
A more thorough philosophy of the meaning of leadership psychology would have been helpful. At the same time, this would have likely dampened the 'peer to peer' feel of the book.
I highly recommend a careful, introspective reading of this book.
4 Thoughtful and Probing
Overcoming the Dark Side of Leadership is a book that, if it is read with any honesty, must be very personal. There is no Christian who is not in a position of leadership one way or another. Many simply do not realize that position. But regardless of whether or not you find yourself in an obvious position of leadership or not, this book offers a journey into your personal darkness and, paradoxically, the light that it can bring. It is convicting and troubling while also relieving and motivating. Anyone could do well to use the guidelines herein to examine their own heart.
But I still have a few reservations about the book. I felt as if, in once sense, it suffered from excess, and in another sense, it was incomplete.
I felt like the first section of the book could really have been written as a separate book in of itself, perhaps with the second section as a long appendix. The third section seemed extraneous, almost as if the authors knew they should add something more, give some explanation of where to go, but they almost seemed unsure themselves.
The other trouble I had was the thought that there are these five major issues that can bring trouble. There was a nagging feeling throughout that there have to be more, but the possibility is never dealt with. I do not recall the door even being left open to say that there could be more or that these were the five most significant issues but others existed. That unsettled me slightly.
Regardless, the first two sections of the book are excellent, perhaps essential to those who aspire or find themselves at all in positions of leadership, and the five issues that are brought to light are important, maybe vital. It's not a perfect book, but many pastors, teachers, and spiritual leaders should be required to read it regardless.
5 We all have a darkside!
After reading this book I am now better able to understand why so many leaders including myself struggle in their respective positions of leadership. The authors outline different personality types and illustrate them by first defining them, giving a biblical example of that type of leader, giving a contemporary illustration of that leader, and then steps that one can take to overcome that particular personality type. This book made me understand how powerful our childhood experiences are in shaping our present life and leadership. Please read this book!
6 Amazing help to leaders that love ethics in their lifes
I'm impressed with this book. It came to me in the hardest time of my ministry. God have used this text to work in my life and, I hope, prevents fall. Can other leaders be impacted by this approach of personal dysfunction in ministry. God bless the authors.
7 An excellent study of leadership dysfunction.
As a church leader, I found this book to be revealing and extremely helpful. It helped me in my continuing attempts to walk closer to the Lord. Thus, I feel that this is an excellent book that should be read by all pastors and church leaders. In these days when churches are more concerned with numbers, church growth and attracting people through programs, this book is one which all church leaders need to read and absorb. The authors carefully examine the dark side of the individual, that part of the personality which often colors or determines the course or tone of one's ministry. They present ways an individual can gauge the extent and nature of his or her dysfunctional personality structure. They maintain that the dark side can be harnessed so that it can be used in a positive manner. They do not provide any easy solutions, but ones, which if followed, will allow an individual to grow in holiness day by day. McIntosh & Rima pull no punches. They maintain that character is more important than looks, ability, or charisma. Those who think otherwise, wind up denying their dark side. They become immature and dishonest leaders who, through manipulation and spiritual abuse, lead hurting and needy people away from God's grace. They can do so even with the most altruistic of intentions. Pastors and church leaders who want to make an honest evaluation of themselves and their relationship with God can begin by reading this book.
8 Relevant Book!
In light of what's going on at the White House these days, this book describes how such things happen beginning in a leader's childhood. Though written from a spiritual perspective this is timely reading.
