Feeding & Leading: PRactical Handbook on Administration in Churches and Christian Organizations

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Summary: Feed & Lead by Kenneth O. Gangel
Review: Kenneth O. Gangel is vice president for academic affairs, academic dean, and distinguished professor of Christian Education at Dallas Theological Seminary. He has also held administrative positions at Calvary Bible College and Miami Christian College. He holds degrees in business and college administration as well as theology and Christian education. His doctorates are from the University of Missouri and Mercy College. He is the author of more than twenty books and has written over eight hundred articles for journals and periodicals.

This book was written to straighten out the confusion concerning servant leadership and organism versus organization. The book was also written as a practical manual for Christian leaders (pp. 9-10). Gangel points out in the forward of this book that the secular view of leadership has been dominant in the church. He feels we have forgotten what the Bible description of a leader is. Leaders in the church has been called to be servant leaders. It doesn't mean the person is a doormat or has no backbone, but the biblical view of leadership is leading by serving. This is the first problem Gangel deals with in his book. He also points out that 'Ministry' and 'Management' are not contradictory terms. Many people think that if it is a ministry it is not managed well. This is the second problem Gangel deals with in his book. We tend to think that the churches goals need to be either people-oriented or goal-oriented. Gangel also points out that the goal of the church is not new converts but mature believers (lay leadership development).

I think that Gangel did an excellent job and has fulfilled his stated purposes. The author did an excellent job in relating to the reader throughout the book. Gangel, in every chapter, either asks questions to help you understands what was discussed or to reevaluate what you are doing. I.e., at the end of chapter one he asks you what are the six leadership lessons learned from the life of Moses. Then he asks, "which of these lessons have you learned?" In chapter two he asks you to answer twenty-one questions for 'Spiritual Leaders.' Dr. Gangel does this for every chapter. He also tells stories throughout his book to illustrate his points. An example of this is the story about Charlie and Norma starting on page 217. Gangel gives several outcomes based on how Charlie responds to Norma giving up her teaching position. By his constantly asking questions and telling stories he keeps the readers attention.

The only weakness I noticed in the book was his charts and graphs. He reprinted other writers charts and graphs in his book. Some were good but others were not easy to understand or did not illustrate his point as well as it could have. I.e., the Annual Planning Cycle on page 106 seems confusing. Then also on page 251 the 'Toward A Trained Leadership' chart doesn't clearly communicate the point of results and evaluation which the section was about.

Other than some charts and graphs Gangel's book was an excellent book. As a former Army officer and now as pastor I would highly recommend to anyone that wants to learn to be a better leader and administrator. It is particularly beneficial to those leader in the church whether a profession or lay leader.