Seven out of ten Christian leaders feel overworked, four in ten suffer financial pressures, only two in ten have had management training, and 1,500 give up their job over a ten-year period. At the same time, as financial restrictions affect the availability of full-time ministers, more people are needed for leadership roles in local congregations, for every area of church work. This book faces the challenge of raising up new leaders and helping existing leaders to mature, using the model for growing leaders at the heart of the Arrow Leadership Programme, a ministry of the Church Pastoral Aid Society (CPAS). It comprehensively surveys leadership skills and styles, discerning our personal calling, avoiding the 'red zone' of stress, developing character, and living as part of the community of God's people. The book contains an introduction and 12 chapters, in six sections, plus conclusion, epilogue and resources section: Part 1: Leadership today Part 2: Growing leaders know they're chosen Part 3: Growing leaders discern God's call Part 4: Growing leaders develop Christ-like character Part 5: Growing leaders cultivate competence Part 6: Growing leaders lead in community

'A comprehensive, practical and very readable analysis of the art of leadership.' J. John, evangelist

'Biblically solid and organizationally aware, rich in resources and practical help.' Leighton Ford, founder of the Arrow Leadership Programme

'The most thoughtful, rigorous and engaging study of Christian leadership that I have read.' Jill Garrett, former MD of Gallup UK and Director of Caret Consulting

'He combines the latest research and literature with an understanding of church leadership and won't let either run away from scripture.' Hugh Palmer, Christ Church, Fulwood

'Pure gold! A treasure trove of practical wisdom for leaders and those who aspire to be leaders. I wish this book had been written twenty years ago.' Ian Parkinson, Vicar in Marple, and Co-ordinator the New Wine Network in the North West.

From Church of England Newspaper 13 August 2004 This is a superb book on leadership. It is easily one of the best, if not the best, book on the subject I have ever read. James Lawrence is the Director of the Arrow Training Programme run by the Church Pastoral Aid Society (CPAS). He has also been a core member of Springboard. He has been meeting and interacting with and helping ministers of all denominations, but particularly Anglican ones, for many years. He has great insight and understands what it is like to run a busy parish or church agency. The book has 12 chapters divided into six sections. In the first section, Lawrence looks at leadership today. "One of the chief characteristics of healthy, growing churches is leadership," he writes. "It isn't the only mark of a healthy church, but a vital one. "It is with that concern that he then develops the marks of growing leaders - they know they are chosen, they discern God's call, they develop Christ-like character, they cultivate competence (his largest section), and they lead in the community. Each of these areas are explored in a humble, practical and scriptural manner. The result is a highly readable, very challenging, but extremely helpful book, especially for pressurised leaders. There is a whole chapter on "Living in the Red Zone" which every minister, Bishop and Archdeacon in the Church of England ought to read! Why? Because "within churches the character of the minister is often reflected in the life of the congregation" - and if the minister is in danger of not coping well, what of the church? This is a book to own, not borrow. It needs to be read a chapter at a time with the opportunity to reflect on what Lawrence is saying, and to wrestle with his arguments, and search scripture afresh. This is not a book to scan and forget, but a book to enable you to cope with the future. He writes, "Today I spoke on the phone with a 37 year-old minister. 'James, I don't know how I am going to survive. I am working 12 to 14-hour days. I don't see my family enough, and I feel constantly on the edge of burn-out. I don't feel trained for the job I do and I don't know where to get help. I'm wearing so many hats. The church is growing, exciting things are happening, but if I look down the road of the next 30 years I know I am not going to make it.' " If you are in this ministers shoes, with the help of this book, you might! Reviewed by Peter Brierley, Executive Director, Christian Research

From Christian Herald, 05 June 2004 By coincidence I was reading this book on a train while travelling to a conference in which the main theme was training leaders. This is clearly an idea whose time has come. James Lawrence is to be commended for making this contribution to the process. Growing Leaders is comprehensive, accessible and realistic. The book covers a huge amount of ground. Its six sections deal with issues like defining leadership in the context of God's choice and call and considering how leaders can be developed to operate more effectively in their relationship to others. I appreciated the mix of biblical reflection, personal anecdote and practical application. This mix helps to keep the book readable and relevant. Also welcome is the author's honesty concerning his own struggles and mistakes. The realism of these sections reminds the reader that failure need not be final, but can be an opportunity for growth and change. Reviewed by John Woods

This book faces the challenge of raising up new Christian leaders and helping existing leaders to mature. It comprehensively surveys leadership skills and styles, discerning our personal calling, and more.

James Lawrence

Growing Leaders eBook

New edition of BRF bestseller with nearly 20,000 copies sold

Seven out of ten Christian leaders feel overworked, four in ten suffer financial pressures, only two in ten have had management training and 1,500 give up their job over a ten-year period. At the same time, as financial restrictions affect the availability of full-time ministers, more people are needed for leadership roles in local congregations, for every area of church work. This book faces the challenge of raising up new leaders and helping existing leaders to mature, using the model for growing leaders at the heart of the Arrow Leadership Programme, a ministry of the Church Pastoral Aid Society (CPAS). It comprehensively surveys leadership skills and styles, discerning our personal calling, avoiding the 'red zone' of stress, developing character, and living as part of the community of God's people. The book contains twelve chapters, in six sections, plus a resources section: Part 1: Leadership today, Part 2: Growing leaders know they're chosen, Part 3: Growing leaders discern God's call, Part 4: Growing leaders develop Christ-like character, Part 5: Growing leaders cultivate competence, Part 6: Growing leaders lead in community. First published in 2004.

• Faces the challenge of training new Christian leaders and helping existing leaders develop as they continue their work • Provides an in-depth analysis of leadership skills found in secular business and applies it to Christian work • Includes reflection on discipleship, personal calling, avoiding the 'red zone' of stress, developing character and being part of the church community

• Leaders in paid Christian employment heading up organisations, churches or parts of the life of a church/organisation • New leaders in training and those looking to develop their leadership further

\["Written especially for Church leaders","This revised and updated guide explores in depth a life of leadership","You'll find ways you can grow and develop as a leader"\]

Helping you to develop, grow and flourish as a full-time leader, this updated and revised edition addresses new challenges of Christian leadership.

The most thoughtful, rigorous and engaging study of Christian leadership that I have read.' - Jill Garrett, former MD of Gallup UK and Director of Caret Consulting

'Biblically solid and organizationally aware, rich in resources and practical help.' - Leighton Ford, founder of the Arrow Leadership Programme

'A comprehensive, practical and very readable analysis of the art of leadership.' - J. John, evangelist

'He combines the latest research and literature with an understanding of church leadership and won't let either run away from scripture.' - Hugh Palmer, Christ Church, Fulwood

'Pure gold! A treasure trove of practical wisdom for leaders and those who aspire to be leaders. I wish this book had been written twenty years ago.' - Ian Parkinson, Vicar in Marple, and Co-ordinator the New Wine Network in the North West.

From Church of England Newspaper 13 August 2004

This is a superb book on leadership. It is easily one of the best, if not the best, book on the subject I have ever read.

James Lawrence is the Director of the Arrow Training Programme run by the Church Pastoral Aid Society (CPAS). He has also been a core member of Springboard. He has been meeting and interacting with and helping ministers of all denominations, but particularly Anglican ones, for many years. He has great insight and understands what it is like to run a busy parish or church agency.

The book has 12 chapters divided into six sections.

In the first section, Lawrence looks at leadership today. 'One of the chief characteristics of healthy, growing churches is leadership,' he writes. 'It isn't the only mark of a healthy church, but a vital one. 'It is with that concern that he then develops the marks of growing leaders - they know they are chosen, they discern God's call, they develop Christ-like character, they cultivate competence (his largest section), and they lead in the community.

Each of these areas are explored in a humble, practical and scriptural manner. The result is a highly readable, very challenging, but extremely helpful book, especially for pressurised leaders. There is a whole chapter on 'Living in the Red Zone' which every minister, Bishop and Archdeacon in the Church of England ought to read! Why? Because 'within churches the character of the minister is often reflected in the life of the congregation' - and if the minister is in danger of not coping well, what of the church?

This is a book to own, not borrow. It needs to be read a chapter at a time with the opportunity to reflect on what Lawrence is saying, and to wrestle with his arguments, and search scripture afresh. This is not a book to scan and forget, but a book to enable you to cope with the future. He writes, 'Today I spoke on the phone with a 37 year-old minister. 'James, I don't know how I am going to survive. I am working 12 to 14-hour days. I don't see my family enough, and I feel constantly on the edge of burn-out. I don't feel trained for the job I do and I don't know where to get help. I'm wearing so many hats. The church is growing, exciting things are happening, but if I look down the road of the next 30 years I know I am not going to make it.' ' If you are in this ministers shoes, with the help of this book, you might! - Reviewed by Peter Brierley, Executive Director, Christian Research

From Christian Herald, 05 June 2004

By coincidence I was reading this book on a train while travelling to a conference in which the main theme was training leaders. This is clearly an idea whose time has come. James Lawrence is to be commended for making this contribution to the process.

Growing Leaders is comprehensive, accessible and realistic. The book covers a huge amount of ground. Its six sections deal with issues like defining leadership in the context of God's choice and call and considering how leaders can be developed to operate more effectively in their relationship to others.

I appreciated the mix of biblical reflection, personal anecdote and practical application. This mix helps to keep the book readable and relevant. Also welcome is the author's honesty concerning his own struggles and mistakes. The realism of these sections reminds the reader that failure need not be final, but can be an opportunity for growth and change. - Reviewed by John Woods

Foreword to the new edition

Foreword to the first edition

Preface

Introduction

__PART I: ENGAGE WITH TODAY’S CONTEXT__

1 What is Christian leadership?

2 Facing leadership challenges

__PART II: KNOW YOU’RE CHOSEN__

3 Maintaining first love

__PART III: DISCERN GOD’S CALL__

4 Living in the red zone

5 Finding God’s purpose.

__PART IV: DEVELOP CHRISTLIKE CHARACTER__

6 Working on your character

7 Embracing godly change

__PART V: CULTIVATE CORE COMPETENCIES__

8 Leading yourself and those closest to you

9 Embodying kingdom values

10 Discerning God’s direction

11 Developing other leaders

__PART VI: LEAD IN COMMUNITY__

12 Leading well with others

Conclusion

Epilogue to the first edition

__RESOURCES__

1 Reflecting on the ‘one anothers’

2 Discerning your spiritual gifts

3 Defining terms

4 Helping roles matrix

5 Establishing a mentoring relationship

6 Characteristics of effective teams

7 Resources list

Notes

Growing Leaders

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