Heart, Mind, and Strength: Theory and Practice for Congregational Leadership
Jeffrey D. Jones
Leadership, observes Jeffrey Jones, is never about you. What happens to you as a leader stems from a vast array of issues and dynamics over which you have little or no control.
Leadership, Jones also insists, is always about you—Christ’s disciple, part of the system, an individual with your own anxieties and a personal life that shapes both your personhood and your relationships.
Heart, Mind, and Strength is about dealing with the tension between these two realities. What we know is important. So is who we are—maybe even more so. Of course, admits Jones, no book can tell us everything we need to know about leadership—the “what” of it. And certainly no book can shape our personhood—the “who” of leadership. Jones, however, shares both theoretical and practical insights that will inform the “what” and influence the “who” of your leadership in transformative ways. Jones organizes the book around the daily practices of leadership, treating it as both a skill and an art. Heart, Mind, and Strength will enhance your practice of ministry by providing well-grounded theory related to the practical concerns you encounter in the daily work of balancing what you know with who you are.
Praise for the Book
"Jones follows his earlier book on congregations and discipleship, Traveling Together, with Heart, Mind, and Strength, a very helpful reflection on leadership. In a time when large numbers of congregations must change or die, Jones provides theoretical and practical guidance for leaders."—Fall Books, Christian Century, October 20, 2009
“For 35 years I’ve followed Jeff’s generous work on this book. He has listened, studied, traveled, observed, taught, experimented, struggled, prayed, offered leadership, supported other leaders, written extensively, and devoted much time to thinking about leadership and churches. He has succeeded in teaching us in clear language how we can work with greater effectiveness and joy in both religious and secular organizations. I plan to study this book annually.” —Henry J. Holcomb, journalist, labor union president, Baptist Deacon, Sunday school teacher
“This scholarly work connects some of the best thinking on leadership to the daily work of clergy. It will inspire both novice and experienced clergy to be reflective and provides a bridge for them to connect leadership theory to their everyday practice.” —Michael F. DiPaola, Chancellor Professor, Educational Policy, Planning and Leadership School of Education, The College of William & Mary
“Drawing on significant contemporary writers on leadership, and reclaiming one almost forgotten early writer on Christian leadership, Jeff Jones offers a sound introduction to the new student of Christian leadership—and a refresher for veteran congregational leaders.” —Israel Galindo, Dean, Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond
“Change has become the only constant in our lives, and that is nowhere more true than in the church. Unfortunately, our understanding of pastoral leadership isn't keeping pace with these changes. Heart, Mind, and Strength makes giant strides in overcoming this gap. It's an important contribution and essential reading for today's pastors.” —Nick Carter, President, Andover Newton Theological School
“The genius of this book is Jeff Jones's ability to marry the best in contemporary leadership studies to the needs of today's congregations. This book is indispensable reading for pastors and congregations in today's rapidly changing world.” —Margaret Benefiel, author of The Soul of a Leader: Finding Your Path to Success and Fulfillment and Soul at Work: Spiritual Leadership in Organizations
About the Author
Jeffrey D. Jones is the pastor of the First Baptist Church in Plymouth, Massachusetts. He also serves as Director of Distance Learning at Andover Newton Theological School, where he is Instructor in Church and Ministry, teaching courses in leadership and congregational life. He has served previously as a pastor in New Jersey and New York and as a national staff member of the American Baptist Churches, USA. He is the author of several books, including Traveling Together: A Guide for Disciple-Forming Congregations.
ISBN# 978-1-56699-380-7
Alban No. AL380
paper, 181 pages
2008
In stock
$18.00
($14.40 for members)
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