BOOK COMMENTARY
January 1, 1981
A Theology of Church Leadership
by Lawrence O. Richards and Clyde Hoeldtke Zondervan, $12.95
Reviewed by David Lim Academic Dean, Western Pentecostal Bible College, Clayburn, British Columbia Canada
Church leadership has been on a quest for identity over the past twenty years seeking the answers to several questions. Is there a truly biblical theology of leadership? Can modern management methods apply to church work? Is pragmatism the key test?- does it bring souls into the kingdom of God? Or, should we simply listen to what God tells us for our particular situations?
As church leaders from every social, economic, educational, and denominational background wrestled with these leadership questions, several intriguing ideas emerged.
Elton Trueblood (The Encourager) pictured the pastor as the coach of a team, enabling it to win the game. His joy came from watching his players develop ability and insight to fulfill their functions.
Findley Edge (The Greening of the Church) felt the church should be like a miniature theological seminary in which the key enablers specialize in their areas of ministry and lead the congregation to exercise their gifts in spiritual and social concerns. The key purpose of the church is to educate for practical living in Christ.
Bruce Larson and Keith Miller (The Passionate People) brought in the emphasis on relational ministry and interaction in small groups. A church should be a place of openness where hurt humanity could identify with fellow humans, and acceptance would not be based on achievement, but on personhood.
Ray Stedman (Body Life) focused on each member finding his ministry within the body of Christ and sharing it. Laymen were to be involved in every area of leadership.
With the breakdown of ...
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