The Empowered Leader: 10 Keys to Servant Leadership

Rating:
Summary: A Must-Read For Anyone In Leadership!
Review: Calvin Miller offers a very readable and informative look at 10 essential principles of leadership, using King David as the paradigm of a "godly leader." These principles include self-perception, networking, vision, decision, etc... Also includes useful illustrations and diagrams. This book is a handy reference not only for pastors, but for any Christian in a leadership role.

Rating:
Summary: Leadership Lessons from the Life of David
Review: Don't let the title "10 to Keys to Servant Leadership" fool you. "The Empowered Leader" by Calvin Miller is a book with genuine depth and insight. He makes you take a long hard look at your own leadership. Miller has not written a "how to" manual for "would be" leaders but he has written words to awaken the leadership potential of those already called to lead. The author tells us, "Whatever leadership is, it is not a hankering after success. Leadership lies in a hunger to understand and make the world a better place."

King David is the example. Thought his life you will learn ten valuable keys to the life of a servant leader, which include: fostering an honest servant image; learning the art of self-perception; networking; vision; decision making; defining, structuring, and motivating; the politics of grace and the abuse of power; and coping with difficult people. The book is not just geared for pastors, but for any leader wanting to lead from a Christian worldview. I recommend "The Empowered Leader" to all God called leaders.

Rating:
Summary: Leadership Lessons from the Life of David
Review: Don't let the title "10 to Keys to Servant Leadership" fool you. "The Empowered Leader" by Calvin Miller is a book with genuine depth and insight. He makes you take a long hard look at your own leadership. Miller has not written a "how to" manual for "would be" leaders but he has written words to awaken the leadership potential of those already called to lead. The author tells us, "Whatever leadership is, it is not a hankering after success. Leadership lies in a hunger to understand and make the world a better place."

King David is the example. Thought his life you will learn ten valuable keys to the life of a servant leader, which include: fostering an honest servant image; learning the art of self-perception; networking; vision; decision making; defining, structuring, and motivating; the politics of grace and the abuse of power; and coping with difficult people. The book is not just geared for pastors, but for any leader wanting to lead from a Christian worldview. I recommend "The Empowered Leader" to all God called leaders.

Rating:
Summary: Resourceful!
Review: Dr. Calvin Miller takes perhaps "the" area in Christian ministry that ultimately advances the Kingdom of God or brings it to a potential unnecessary grinding halt. I like Dr. Miller's use of the account of King David because it addresses issues of leadership on many levels pertinent to today in a Biblical fashion. The exposition though not in scholarly terms, is satisfactory, masterful and written in a way to appeal to anyone earnestly desiring to better themselves and ultimately their quality of leadership.

Overall the spirit of the book is sincere and aims at developing leaders who are not only gifted and organized, but submitted to Christ. From the highest ranks in a church organination to the volunteer desiring to learn some excellent keys in ministry and leadership.

There are sections and areas in the book that need some development of thought. I don't disagree with the message per se, but the way it is written at times is unclear. If you tend to read a lot, you MAY be able to read what the author intends, but I don't even take that for granted, how does one really know what someone means if it isn't stated clearly?

Here's an example:

Key 1 - Fostering an Honest Service Image

Page 12, Ability vs. Sociability

Dr. Miller asks "1 Samuel 16:11 clearly show that leaders are often recluses? Are they not slow social mixers?" Well even in the context of that verse, David is tending sheep...doing his job in spite of his feelings, I'm not seeing the recluse connection so in my estimation his assessment is unsupported. Then Dr. Miller states that "leaders are to often loners" to which I expect he will explain the how's and why's of his statement.

But instead of clarifying that thought, he goes on to mention that Lincoln grieved about the American division from which I can at best conclude that "the burdens of leadership made him want to reflect which made him feel lonely"? I'm not sure if that's what he meant but lack of clarity ultimately has me drawing conclusions as to how that translates into loneliness.

He proceeds to mention Christ at Gethsemane and how it was a lifestyle of Christ to withdraw himself/creating "aloneness". The omitting of the reasons for why Christ withdrew Himself is a disservice to "Fostering on Honest Servant Image". In my Biblical studies, "loneliness" and "aloneness" aren't synonyms, and what's frustrating is that Dr. Miller doesn't enlighten my understanding either way.

Now I don't mean this in a harsh spirit, but I am interesting in HIS reasoning which is why I bought the book to begin with. There are times when I run into this throughout the book, and it may be my personality, but it's a little irritating. I appreciate well supported writing, even if I disagree with someone, but at least one is compelled to think.

In fairness, The overall material is excellent. My personal favorite section is Leadership: Coping with Difficult People. If you have been in a leadership position, the section alone is worth the price of the book. I like the fact that Dr. Miller doesn't come across as a theorist, especially in this section. Being a former pastor, he's giving you the straight scoop on the sometimes unpleasant task of dealing with personalities. His observations are right on the head.

I must bring this up as well because I feel it needs to be addressed. There are authors quoted in this book that are not evangelical, yet this book is directed at Christian leaders and I can understand how some may not be comfortable with that.(i.e. Stephen Covey - not to single him out) This is a personal thing but I think common sense has to prevail.

Honestly, I don't personally fundamentally agree with Covey's personal beliefs either, However, Covey is a brilliant author and has good insight. I feel silly for even bringing this up but this is an issue of common sense. In other words, if it bothers you that badly, read the parts that are helpful and skip the one's that bother you. It would be shameful to miss out on this wonderful book just because you may see a name whose views you don't agree with.

Really there is so much interesting and useful material this is one that you will find yourself refering back to over and over again! It is good, useful wisdom for being a quality leader and person. I believe there's a transformation awaiting if this material is taken to heart.