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PRAISE FOR THE BOOK
I found meaning, and often pleasure in your stories (especially the one about the communion bread breaking into millions of pieces at the pulpit). I enjoyed the narrative voice, which literally meanders from lessons of leadership, through personal hairpins and hardships, and back again to the lesson at hand. Many of the messages like learning to say no and getting clocks and compasses in sync struck a chord with me, and the reflection questions are a windfall of advice. It is inspiring to read about you enduring patience and faith through set-backs in your career as well as your personal hairpins, and it’s refreshing (and somehow consoling) to hear that a preacher “hits bottom” sometimes too. The more amazing thing is here’s a church leader admitting it. Your teachings of meandering not only encourage your fellow pastors I would imagine—but it certainly takes some of the pressures off any layman reader trying to be a strong believer and follower of faith. Thank you for the courage to share shortcomings. The book begins, meanders, and ends with hope. —DL Karl “The other day I was at my local Cokesbury store, and I saw a copy of Gary A. Shockley’s new book, The Meandering Way: Leading by Following the Spirit. I couldn’t resist it; after all, it was in the 25% off new book section. So I bought the book with some trepidation, thinking that this was just another one of those fluffy, pseudo-spiritual formation books. This is a book that is part autobiographical reflection, part leadership, and entirely formational. He begins by using the analogy of a sailboat. A sailboat, generally is not for speed, and cannot be steered straight into the wind, but maneuvers, or meanders, around to catch the wind. Too often ministers, and lay people, are caught up the idea of working harder and harder, more hours at the office, doing more things, is the way to succeed in the world. But is this really success? Shockley has been there, and chronicles the truth of the consequences of that kind of driven life. Perhaps he is right, meandering is better than hardcore driveness. Meandering is about following God; driveness is about us. The section where Shockley writes about finding the will of God, and his own personal search, is worth the price of the book alone. This is a book every person should read.” —Searching Sage Blog “After a hard week reevaluating our budget, and revising our expense categories to correspond to current income...I was a bit down and out last Sunday. As I prepared to leave on vacation I prayed to God for guidance and reassurance. I didn't hear anything back. I spent a sleepless night wondering what was going to happen. Where will our journey take us? Are there things that we should be doing? What can we do better? Will we survive? The questions kept nagging in my mind. The next morning I fired up the computer and received this emailed article. I was amazed how I sensed God speaking these comforting words directly to me...just when I needed to hear them. I thought I would pass it on for your encouragement as well.” Following the Spirit's Leading article —Rev Brice and the Journey Blog “There is so much wisdom for leaders in these pages. In a world in which people feel the constant need to rush, hurry, achieve, accomplish, do, and get somewhere fast, we are reminded that there is a way of leading that imitates Moses and Jesus: meandering with a purpose.” —N. Graham Standish |
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