Leadership in Congregations (Book)
Richard Bass, Editor.  Herndon, VA: Alban Institute, 2007.

A good book title tells the reader much of what lies within. The articles in this book, originally published in Congregations magazine, deal with the topic of leadership. But the focus is not leadership in general, nor is it leadership "of" congregations—as if somehow one can lead beyond the body that makes up a church or synagogue. The articles selected for this collection point out that leadership happens within congregations.

One of the appealing aspects of a book that has different authors writing on different facets is this: At least one of the articles will speak to where you are today. Editor Richard Bass has selected articles that deal with a wide array of leadership issues. After presenting Jim Wind and Gil Rendle's special report, "The Leadership Situation Facing American Congregations," this book addresses such diverse topics as empowering laity, committing to mutality, pastoring a small congregation, leading when consensus fails, leading when you're a woman, leading and storytelling, leading theologically, leading for the future, and more.

And yet an underlying theme appears frequently: integrity. While effective religious leaders practice what they preach, they need not be perfect. Rather, they need to create "a certain level of congruence between proclaiming faith and demonstrating it in one's life."

This is a collection that will continue to feed leaders. As our experiences, stories, and congregations—and thus our needs—change, each of us should be able to find a starting point to explore within the pages of this book.

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See also these resources:

Heart, Mind, and Strength: Theory and Practice for Congregational Leadership (Book)
Jeffrey D. Jones, Author.  Herndon, VA: Alban Institute, 2008.
Drawing from extensive scholarship on leadership and his many years of pastoral experience, Jeffrey Jones summarizes inspiring theories of leadership and offers practical advice for implementing these theories in the congregation.