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Summary: Basic look at some principles for leadership
Review: Andy Stanly addresses five areas of leadership in his book. I am not sure that I would have picked these five as the most important five, but they are all aspects of leadership. The book is a beginners approach to leadership. He does not get real deep or philosophical, but simply lays out the principles that he has found most useful in his ministry. He discusses the topics with a simple idea in mind, to motivate the reader to not just understand these principles, but to begin to apply them even before they are done reading the book.
Some of the topics that he discusses I found to be very helpful and encouraging. He begins talking about the need to focus on strengths and not weaknesses. This can be crucial to avoid burnout. He also discusses the need for courage in leadership. The last section dealt with character. Personally, I feel that this should have been the first chapter of the book, since it is essential at the very foundation of a Christian leader.
If these concepts were to be implemented directly into the church I would say there would be a positive result. I am picturing two different churches at this point. One where there is a strong leader, who already has most of these principles down and practiced regularly. There would probably be little change from applying this book. The other church is a church where the leader has the call of God on his life, but lacks in being able to lead effectively. For this person to apply this book, I could see a more measurable impact in the positive.
Overall, I enjoyed the book and found it to be a very easy read. There was plenty of information to get his point across. It never hurts to brush up on some of the basics of leadership. It also never hurts to think about them again from a fresh perspective. This is a good book for anyone who just needs a little motivation to becoming a better leader in his or her ministry.
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Summary: Leadership Advice that Counters Current Church Culture
Review: It is hard to determine which part of Andy Stanley's book will be most effective in my future ministry endeavors. The entire book is thought-provoking. The intent is obviously toward Christian leaders; therefore it is full of principles for leadership in the local church setting. This is the lens through which I am reading.
My eyes were opened by the competence section. The idea that one is doing a disservice to their employer and the organization by trying to do everything is new to me and somewhat counter-intuitive. In the settings where I have lead it is also counter-cultural, at least I perceive it as such. Leaders are expected to have a working knowledge of everything they lead, and be able to do any task they expect others to do.
Stanley's book illustrates how silly this idea is. It is impossible for leaders to be able to do everything. It is also not biblical. Church leaders, particularly the pastor or minister, are not able to do everything it takes to run a church. If they attempt to do this the areas to which they are supposed to pay the most attention will receive the least. "It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. 3 Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them 4 and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word." (Acts 6:2b-4). The pastor must devote himself to pastoring and delegate the administrative areas to others, with the skill, in the church.
Implementation of this principle in any local church would be incredibly beneficial. It would allow the pastor to focus on the spiritual and free him from the administrative requirements. Delegation would also involve more of the congregation in the work of the church. More involvement would create more "buy-in" in the congregation. The enthusiasm of this "buy-in" would naturally build the church as the excitement spreads. Church leadership culture will have to change for this to happen. Pastors will have to delegate and give up control in areas that they may think are their responsibility. Congregations will have to step up and take more ownership in their churches. Hopefully, as a the next generation of leaders starts pushing for more congregational involvement, we will see the success of this principle and it will spread for the glory of God's kingdom.
Rating: 
Summary: A Fresh Leadership Prophet
Review: Andy Stanley finally demonstrates that there still is something fresh to say about the wonderful world of leadership. This book is by no means just theory. No, it is born out of a credibility few other leaders have. Andy is one of the new generations of leaders who has lived in a rapid world wind of change and emerged with one of the most dynamic teams and organization I have seen in many years. So, with confidence, read this book. I heard him speak at a conference last fall, the subject of which is a key chapter in his book. I must say it was one of the most profound talks I have heard on leadership during my past 10 years of formal leadership studies. As someone who has a graduate degree in Organizational leadership, and teaches extensively on leadership, I was thrilled to see the talk now in print for all to savor. This book will be a key text book for my students, and as an Executive Director of a large summer camp in Canada, it will also be a mandatory read for our 50+ fulltime staff.
Each chapter takes you on a point-blank "get with it" format, therefore, do not be put off by its size. There is enough to chew on here for a month. I recommend taking it away on a personal evaluation retreat. You will emerge more focused, equipped and more than thankful for an excellent leadership resource. Well done Andy Stanley, thank you so much for your leadership, keep at it. Psalm 78:72
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Summary: A Book Every Church Leader Should Read
Review: Andy Stanley lays it on the line. With a servant's heart, a humble spirit, and a sense of humor, this visionary is "right on the money." For leaders who have integrity, Andy reaffirms and strengthens their convictions and offers great insight. For churches and church leaders who think they are on track ... well, they might want to read this book. It could be an eye-opener. It's definitely a "must-read" for pastors.
Rating:
Summary: A Book Every Church Leader Should Read
Review: Andy Stanley lays it on the line. With a servant's heart, a humble spirit, and a sense of humor, this visionary is "right on the money." For leaders who have integrity, Andy reaffirms and strengthens their convictions and offers great insight. For churches and church leaders who think they are on track ... well, they might want to read this book. It could be an eye-opener. It's definitely a "must-read" for pastors.
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Summary: Next Generation (Christian) Leader?
Review: Andy Stanley's The Next Generation Leader is another in a long line of recent Christian authors attempting to propose a leadership model to influence the world around them. The book essentially is attempting to accomplish two simultaneous goals: First, to establish a model of leadership for Christians in whatever sphere they may find themselves and second, to layout a leadership paradigm accessible for any leader. Therein lies the book's greatest strength and Achilles heal.
Stanley, who pastors a large, suburban Atlanta church, struggles to distinguish between two important biblical concepts, the biblically encouraged goal of Christian integration on the one hand and the frowned-upon practice of syncretism on the other. He walks a fine line between the two with some considerable deftness, but ultimately has significant problems in distinguishing between concepts of biblical leadership and popularized business practices. Instead of rigorously demanding that his business leadership model submit itself to Scripture, Stanley seems content to weave his ideas into a self-professed biblical model with less than fulfilling results.
I did however find several of his conceptual ideas encouraging to me as a gospel minister within the university context. Stanley encourages leaders to drop or delegate peripheral responsibilities in order to focus upon the 20% of their tasks that they are truly enabled and gifted to accomplish. His encouragement to leaders to seek out mature mentors is wise. It resonates strongly with a commitment I made six years ago to consistently ask older men in my ministry arena to give me advice and help care for the pastoral and decision-making needs of my life. Stanley also offers useful suggestions for risk-taking and courageously leading in order to jettison being tied down to either staid tradition that lacks vibrancy or fearfulness absent of joyfully trying new ventures.
Looking more closely at these suggestions, however, one can spot theologically questionable assumptions, made frequently for the sake of rhetorical affect. He claims, for instance, that followers end up exactly where the leader brings them. Powerful symbolism, but lacking in a very deep appreciation of the complexities of human responses to leaders and the sovereign grace of God in developing a younger generation of influencers. Stanley's composite picture of a next generation leader is one that offers an image of a very sharp, capable, ethically sound CEO. No wonder, when Stanley himself leads a mid-size organization that biblical ideas like prayerful dependence, God's sovereignty over ministry development, and working hard to submit ministry vision to Scriptural truth taught in context suffers under Stanley's analysis.
Stanley's work ultimately wavers at the brink of syncretism, wedding biblical images with a wider cultural picture of CEO. As God warned Israel, such accommodation meant grave loss for those wandering down or seeking such pathways. Stanley's view of leadership would be enriched by regaining a submission to Scriptural themes, biblical theology and authority for ministry.
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Summary: Wonderful book, with insightful ideas
Review: I am attending a young leaders workshop at my church and our pastor suggested this book to read before we attend the class. I read the book in about 2 days. Andy Stanley brings a fresh approach to leadership and this book will not only help me at my church, but in my business endeavors as well. I appreciate the section on Competence: Do Less, Accomplish More. He says, "The moment a leader steps away from his core competencies, his effectiveness as a leader diminshes." This is not new to leadership, but to younger people in leadership it is paramount. We think we can do everything, but it is not possible. Andy Stanley says don't focus on being a "well-rounded" leader, but a man or women of focus.
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Summary: Great Book!
Review: I've read a number of these leadership/personal growth books and the first thing I noticed about this books was how slim it was. Other books of similar topic are usually weighty volumes with lots of 50 cent words. I appreciated the author's down-to-earth style and while some of these concepts are covered in other leadership books, Andy Stanley's approach has a fresh conversational style I immediately enjoyed. Stanley covers 5 basic principles of leadership (he's the first to tell you there are many more, but these 5 seem to be the most essential). The two I most enjoyed were clarity and character. Clarity doesn't mean we'll have all the answers, but we should always be clear in our purpose. The character portion was well reasoned and made me wonder if corporate leadership in the US wouldn't benefit by reading this?!? Loved it! Easy to read and reread. I find myself thinking about the principles on a regular basis.
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Summary: Leadership 101
Review: I've read tens of books covering the topics of business and church leadership for more than ten years. Andy Stanley's short, accessible volume is the best.
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Summary: Increase your leadership potential!
Review: Stanley has written an excellent book on leadership principles which can be immediately applied to your every day pursuit of becoming a leader worth following. He blends a number of personal stories and examples to illustrate core principles. A fast read full of relevant lessons.
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