Order from a Major Online Bookstore
Ultimate Book Price Comparison Engine
Save Your Time And Money
| AnyBook4Less.com | Order from a Major Online Bookstore |
|
| Home | Store List | FAQ | Contact Us | | ||
| Ultimate Book Price Comparison Engine Save Your Time And Money |
||
 |
Title: They Smell Like Sheep: Spiritual Leadership for the 21st Century by Lynn, Dr. Anderson ISBN: 1-58229-297-3 Publisher: Howard Publishing Company Pub. Date: October, 2002 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $14.99 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.5 (4 reviews)
Rating: 4
Summary: Fine Primer on the Heart of Eldering
Comment: The strength of "They Smell Like Sheep" is the general direction of the book. Dr. Lynn Anderson's theme is that elders should focus upon knowing, loving, serving, and nurturing a number of Christians (first and foremost) rather than attending endless board meetings. Although Andersons' arguments are compelling, he leaves us with a number of unanswered questions, including: "Who will make the decisions necessary for a church to advance?" Anderson is right to encourage elders not to get wrapped up in micromanaging or getting out of their domain, thus freeing up boards to focus upon more, if not completely, hands-on ministry.
Anderson divides his book into two main sections: "A Biblical Look at Spiritual Leadership Principles (The Sort of Things Leaders Do)" and "A Biblical Look at Elders (The Sort of People They Are)."
The first section of the book is the strongest and presents church leaders (particularly elders) as Shepherds, Mentors, and Equippers. He is to be commended for advocating leadership based upon relationship and earned influence, not a chain of command emphasis. Although much of this material can be found elsewhere, Anderson makes this material palatable to the average layman, especially those who have never been taught principles of spiritual leadership (as opposed to corporate leadership). This section is a great primer for elders and other church leaders and worth the price of the book.
The second section is weaker. The author addresses some of the texts regarding the qualification of elders, but does so in an unsatisfying way, leaving a mountain of unanswered questions. For example, he assumes that the word "elder" must mean an older man, but words change meaning and he does not even acknowledge the existence of diversity among evangelical opinion (for example, Timothy oversaw the elders and appointed them, even though he was a mere 30 or 35 years old). Anderson does not demonstrate a serious grappling with the meaning of the text.
If the book is weak in particulars, the overall strength is its broad themes. His final few chapters address the meaning of authority and the words used to express this authority in the New Testament.
Although his attempt to prove elders should not pull rank through retranslating the Greek words is suspect, his point is well taken. Elders should not pull rank and play the authority game -- not because the Greek words have been mistranslated all these centuries -- but because I Peter 5:1-4 tells us not to do so. So Anderson gets us to the right point, yet not because of his exegesis, but in spite of it. His argument of leading through moral suasion is right on target! This is an absolutely key thought.
As a primer book for getting the feel of the right attitude toward serving as an elder, this book is great. But if you are looking for a scholarly book that addresses all the issues and evaluates a number of interpretations, you might be disappointed. This volume is definitely worth reading and sharing with fellow board members.
Rating: 4
Summary: A nice beginning to the conversation...
Comment: I think the author does a good job to begin to encourage us to remember that Jesus' view of those who want to serve with Him is a shepherding/pastorial/servant view. Not a leader of an organization; but a person who cares for those whom they have been entrusted with...who REALLY cares for THEM as PEOPLE. He offers some reasonalbe ideas on how to pursue living and serving like that, but I found the primary value of reading the book to be that he has begun to invite us to ask the right questions of ourselves & our christian 'leaders'.
Rating: 5
Summary: A Must-Read For Pastoral Leadership Preperation
Comment: Don't expect to handle and lead people without getting yourself a little "smelly" sometimes. And don't plan on reading Anderson's excellent book without some heart stretching and soul searching. This is a must-read for anyone whom God has called to pastoral leadership. Get your hands on this book and God will get His hand on you!
 |
Title: Biblical Eldership: An Urgent Call to Restore Biblical Church Leadership by Alexander Strauch ISBN: 0936083115 Publisher: Lewis & Roth Publishers Pub. Date: 01 June, 1995 List Price(USD): $14.99 |
 |
Title: Courageous Leadership by Bill Hybels ISBN: 031024823X Publisher: Zondervan Publishing Company Pub. Date: 01 August, 2002 List Price(USD): $19.99 |
 |
Title: The Next Generation Leader: Five Essentials for Those Who Will Shape the Future by Andy Stanley ISBN: 1590520467 Publisher: Multnomah Pub. Date: 01 January, 2003 List Price(USD): $16.99 |
 |
Title: Out of the Cults and into the Church: Understanding & Encouraging Ex-Cultists by Janis Hutchinson ISBN: 0825428858 Publisher: Kregel Publications Pub. Date: 01 May, 1994 List Price(USD): $11.99 |
 |
Title: Spiritual Leadership: Moving People to God's Agenda by Henry Blackaby, Richard Blackaby ISBN: 0805418458 Publisher: Broadman & Holman Publishers Pub. Date: 01 May, 2001 List Price(USD): $19.99 |
Thank you for visiting www.AnyBook4Less.com and enjoy your savings!
Copyright� 2001-2021 Send your comments
