Allender presented some captivating perspectives regarding the relatively less prevalent idea that leadership pertains not only to one's strengths but also to one's weaknesses.

While I concur with the fundamental concept put forth in the book, I couldn't entirely align with his line of reasoning.

Perhaps it was due to the way he presented his arguments or maybe there were certain aspects that I simply didn't find as convincing as others.

Nevertheless, I do appreciate the attempt to explore this often overlooked aspect of leadership.

Overall, I would rate this book a solid 2.5.

It has its merits and offers some food for thought, but it also has its flaws that prevent it from being a truly outstanding work on the subject of leadership.

Excellent, excellent, excellent. I have an absolute passion for the way Dan Allender crafts words into exquisitely beautiful and profoundly meaningful thoughts. His ability to articulate with such remarkable depth and piercing insight is truly a marvel. This book has had a profound impact on me. It has made me feel truly seen and heard, as if my innermost being has been recognized and understood. Moreover, it has called me to engage in a deeper process of discerning and expressing my strengths and weaknesses, all in the glorious light of the gospel of Christ. We are all fully human, filled with flaws, yet deeply loved and richly called by God.

*Edited to add that this is now a reread, which is an extremely rare occurrence for me in these times. If I am choosing to reread a book, it means that it holds a position at the very top of the very best. It is a testament to the profound value and significance that this book holds for me. I look forward to delving into its pages once again and uncovering new layers of wisdom and inspiration.

This book is primarily written for pastors.

For twenty years, I served as a pastor. However, for the past six years, I have been away from the ministry. Currently, I am in middle management at a non-profit (secular) organization. Surprisingly, I was able to obtain a great deal of valuable information from this book.

I read the last third of the book while I was recovering from having my prostate removed. At that time, I was physically limping, which added another dimension to my reading experience.

Overall, I would highly recommend this book to anyone in the ministry, especially pastors. Additionally, any Christians in leadership positions would also benefit from reading this book. It offers insights and practical advice that can be applied in various leadership contexts, whether in the church or in other organizations.

The book's content is relevant and applicable, making it a valuable resource for those seeking to grow and develop as leaders. It provides a unique perspective that combines spiritual wisdom with practical leadership principles.

Whether you are a seasoned pastor or a new leader in the church, this book has something to offer. It can help you to better understand the challenges and opportunities of leadership and provide you with the tools and strategies you need to be an effective leader.

I encourage you to read this book and discover the many benefits it has to offer. You will not be disappointed.

While Allender at this time is well on his way to some pomo version of westernized Christianity, this book is still an absolute gem! It is truly wonderful and extremely practical. I can't help but think that if only I had come across this book some 5 years before it was published, it might have been a game-changer for many of my relationships. Alas, better late than never. It has still been an enormous help and has managed to salvage some of those precious connections. In so many ways, this book marked the start of a profound and genuine heart conversion for me. It was the dawn of the death of self, but in the most positive and life-transforming way. It has opened my eyes to new perspectives and has given me the tools to approach life and relationships with more authenticity and love.

I read this for my degree, and it was truly an invaluable resource.

It provided me with a wealth of knowledge about what ministry and leadership truly entail and how they manifest in real life.

I gained an impartial perspective on pastoral leadership, which encompassed both the highs and the lows that are so common in this field.

It was an extremely useful book to read in order to obtain a genuine understanding of leadership.

I also paired reading this with listening to the podcast 'The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill', and the combination worked exceptionally well.

The podcast added another dimension to my learning, as it presented real-life examples and experiences that complemented the concepts and theories presented in the book.

Together, they provided a more comprehensive and in-depth exploration of leadership, allowing me to better understand the challenges and opportunities that come with it.

I would highly recommend this book and the podcast to anyone interested in learning more about leadership in a ministry context.

Great book on leadership


I truly and deeply appreciated the captivating stories of leadership and authenticity that the author so skillfully brought out. In the realm of leadership, there are often the hardest of truths that we, as leaders, must face and hear. These truths can be extremely difficult to pen down and express. However, I was pleasantly surprised to see that some of those very hard-to-write truths were vividly exhibited within the pages of this book. It was as if the author had a unique ability to tap into the essence of leadership and lay bare the raw and unfiltered aspects that are often overlooked. The stories not only provided valuable insights but also served as a mirror, allowing leaders to reflect on their own practices and behaviors. It was a truly enlightening and thought-provoking read that I would highly recommend to anyone interested in the field of leadership.

I firmly believe that this particular piece of writing is specifically targeted at pastors. It is my sincere thought that they might very well discover it to be of great assistance.

However, I must admit that I am unable to recommend this book wholeheartedly. The reason being that during my perusal, I did not come across any novel or fresh insights. In fact, I am of the opinion that there are other books in the market that are far more adept at articulating the main points with greater clarity and precision.

It seems that while this book may have its merits, it fails to offer something truly unique and ground-breaking in the realm of pastoral literature. As a result, I would suggest that pastors explore other options before settling on this particular volume.

I think a more appropriate title for this book could be “My Pessimistic Outlook on Leadership”.

His writing seemed to be specifically targeted at ministers, as he provided numerous examples either from them or from his experiences in seminary school.

This made it feel a bit narrow in scope and perhaps not as applicable to a wider audience.

What I also found strange was that in the very last chapter, he suddenly introduced us to the three styles of leadership.

It felt rather abrupt and as if it was an afterthought.

I would have preferred if he had integrated this information earlier in the book and explored each style in more depth.

Overall, while the book had some interesting points, the title and the organization of the content left something to be desired.

Books on leadership seem to be everywhere, and this one is just average.

When it comes to leadership books, this particular one centers around the idea that the best leaders lead with humility. At the beginning, the book shows some promise as the author presents several interesting points. However, as you progress through the book, especially in the latter half, it feels like the same ideas are being repeated ad nauseam.

Moreover, this book appears to be more targeted towards leaders within the church, such as pastors and other ministry leaders. It doesn't have as much relevance or applicability to those in other professions.

In conclusion, there are numerous other leadership books available that offer more valuable and diverse insights. If you're looking for a truly great leadership book, you might want to explore other options rather than relying on this one.

This book was good, falling somewhere between 3 and 4 stars.

The general premise of the book is quite solid. It presents some interesting and valuable concepts. However, the author seems to take 200 pages to thoroughly reiterate what he has already said. This can be a bit tiresome for the reader at times.

Despite this drawback, I really appreciated the stories that the author included. They added a human touch to the book and made the concepts more relatable. Additionally, the author's encouragement to lean into being the organization's "chief sinner" was quite refreshing. He exhorts us to press into our failures, own our brokenness, and lead from a place of weakness. This is a powerful message that can have a profound impact on our leadership style and our personal growth.

Overall, I would say that this is a good book. It has its flaws, but it also has a lot to offer. If you are looking for a book that will challenge you to think differently about leadership and personal growth, then this book is definitely worth checking out.

The essential premise is that our honesty in our weakness is going to impact and move the people we are leading into growth and empowerment. This simple yet profound truth holds great significance in leadership. When we are honest about our own weaknesses, we show vulnerability. This vulnerability can have a powerful effect on those we lead. It humanizes us in their eyes and makes them feel more connected to us.

By being transparent about our limitations, we also create an environment of trust. Our followers see that we are not afraid to admit when we don't know something or when we make mistakes. This encourages them to do the same, which leads to a more open and collaborative culture. In this culture, people are more likely to take risks, learn from their experiences, and grow.

Moreover, our honesty about our weaknesses can inspire others. When they see us facing our challenges head-on and working hard to improve, it gives them the motivation and confidence to do the same. It empowers them to believe that they too can overcome their own limitations and reach their full potential. In conclusion, being honest about our weaknesses is not a sign of weakness but a sign of strength and leadership.

Powerful.

This article is truly remarkable and has the potential to have a profound impact on its readers.

It doesn't matter if you consider yourself a leader or not; this piece is an absolute must-read.

It offers valuable insights and perspectives that can enhance your understanding of leadership and personal growth.

The author presents ideas in a clear and engaging manner, making it accessible to a wide range of audiences.

By reading this article, you will gain new knowledge and inspiration that can help you become a better version of yourself, regardless of your current position or aspirations.

So don't hesitate, pick up this article and discover the power within it.

You won't be disappointed.