Transforming Leadership: Jesus' Way of Creating Vision, Shaping Values & Empowering Change

Leighton Ford

1 An Absolute Must Read
Leighton Ford, leader or leaders, spiritual director, crusader, evangelist, writes an amazing book on Leadership. The whole book revolved around the fact that we must be servant leaders as Christ modeled for us in the 1st Century. Leighton is humble, and strong at the same time in his presentation of this material. You can see the results of him putting this model into practice throughout his life and how God has used him to be an amazing influencer for the Kingdom. Every emerging leader should take note of what is said in the this book, and no pastor should pass it by either. Thanks to the author for this insightful, and compelling work on leadership. Joseph Dworak

2 Transforming Leadership
Overview: The person and ministry of Jesus is seen as the role model for this study of the qualities of the kind of leadership that motivates, empowers and changes people's lives. After introducing the topic in the first two chapters, we are treated to twelve distinct aspects of the leadership qualities presented by Jesus.

Critique: For the most part, the various chapters are not given in any particular order so that they could have been shuffled and the effect would have been largley the same. At the same time, each aspect is well-presented and connected to corresponding Scriptures set in their correct context and thus reads like a sermon series.

Application: We are reminded that a leader need not lose his self-identity in seeking to be like Christ, but he does need to lose his pride and selfishness as he sets himself as a servant for those to whom he came to minister. If I personally have an area of weakness, it is in the development of a vision that goes beyond the basic premise of the great commission and the making of disciples. It is for this reason that I have in the past (and continue so today) to be content to work under the leadership of others and to draw from and to buy into their vision.

Best quote: Kingdom-seekers are leaders marked by loyalty, for they seek another's cause, by fidelity, for they tell another's truth; by humility, for they accept another's results; by constancy, for their wait another's time; and by expectancy, for they dream of another's glory (Page 97-98).

3 Excellent Biblically-Based Leadership Book!
Leighton Ford has written an excellent book for the Christian leader. Among the principles Ford covers include:

1. Treat others as people created by God, not things to be used.
2. A leader has a transcendant purpose and is not distracted from it.
3. The servant leader depends on God's timing and seeks to glorify God.
4. True leadership is marked by servanthood, not lordship over others.
5. Leaders will always face conlict, just like Jesus did.
6. Those who display toughness at all times probably lack inner security.
7. God is more interested in our character instead of our actions.
8. We need times alone with Christ to see if we are serving Him or self.

An excellent and highly recommended book for leaders and aspiring leaders (everyone is a leader in some way)!

4 Transforming Leadership
Leighton Ford gives a scholarly approach to viewing leadership through the example of Christ.