Product Description

A Leadership Network Publication

Spiritual leaders must become experts in matters of the heart. They must learn to discern God at work in their own lives, shaping their hearts to embrace the particular ministries to which they are called. A Work of Heart shows how God prepares leaders today just as he did in biblical times-and how God creates these leaders in order to share his heart with his people.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #34581 in Books
• Published on: 2000-03
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 176 pages

From Publishers Weekly
Leadership is less about technique or motivation than it is about the leader's own heart, suggests Southern Baptist denominational leader McNeal in this careful and readable book. Through brief studies of the lives of Moses, David, Paul and Jesus, McNeal elucidates six factors in the shaping of a leader's heart, all of which begin with the letter c. Although somewhat formulaic, this approach yields fresh fruit, thanks to McNeal's well-integrated grasp of both his biblical sources and contemporary psychology and organizational theory. Among his cs are at least three that are rarely explored in more conventional Christian writing on leadership: the role of "culture" in preparing a leader for his or her specific ministry, the necessity of having a "community" that supports and complements the leader and the importance of "commonplace" experiences that happen out of the leadership limelight. McNeal's attempts to contextualize the biblical narratives lead to some moments of ungainly jargon ("Jesus was constantly online with the Father") and questionable interpretation ("Jesus recruited his initial band of disciples from the business community"), but these are comparatively rare. Christian leaders will find this a valuable primer that invites further reflection; like many primers, however, it would have benefited from a bibliography to guide readers beyond its relatively protected waters. (Apr.)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review
"It is not just the skills of ministry that are important. The heart-sculpting work of God creates quality ministries. A Work of Heart explains how God is shaping each of us for future service." --Bob Buford, founding chairman, Leadership Network

"We've read leadership manuals ad nauseum. We've attended every high-powered conference imaginable. We've bought the T-shirts, the three-ring binders, and all the right soundbites. But if we're honest, we're in serious drift mode, and we know it. . . . In A Work of Heart, Reggie McNeal has given us nothing less than CPR for the leader's soul, a book that moves us beyond leadership "how-tos" to the lifeline of genuine influence-our own intricate, passionate journey with God." --Sally Morgenthaler, author, Worship Evangelism

"Everyone committed to developing leaders must study Reggie McNeal's understandings of heart shaping, and in doing so, will experience their own hearts being sculpted." --Donald O. Clifton, chairman, The Gallup Organization

"This is a must-read for present and emerging leaders who desire to balance practical leadership techniques with a heart shaped by God. In typical McNeal fashion, this book makes the connection between the truths of Scripture and the real world the leader lives in." --Tim Schroeder, senior pastor, Trinity Baptist Church, Kelowna, BC, Canada

"Don't lose heart! Reggie McNeal helps us look under the hood, at the engine of our lives and leadership-our heart-and shows us what it takes to lead with increasing clarity and confidence and live with greater peace." --Dieter Zander, church planter, San Francisco, CA

Sally Morgenthaler, author, Worship Evangelism
Weve read leadership manuals ad nauseum. Weve attended every high-powered conference imaginable. Weve bought the T-shirts, the three-ring binders, and all the right soundbites. But if were honest, were in serious drift mode, and we know it In A Work of Heart, Reggie McNeal has given us nothing less than CPR for the leaders soul, a book that moves us beyond leadership how-tos to the lifeline of genuine influenceour own intricate, passionate journey with God.

Customer Reviews

A Masterpiece for Leadership
This was one of the best books on leadership in a church setting. The book is a revelation of the heart. As you are reading, the insights that are given hit home into the chest because you can relate to the situations. It is a comforting book because of the feelings that are generated. You realize that you are not alone with the feelings that come from leading a congregation. This is one of the best ministerial books I have ever read. It would be best for a minister of course, but also elders within the church would grow from it. The book begins with a character studies of Moses, David, Paul, and Jesus. These character studies connect well with the present leader. The nature of leadership within God's people have not changed much through the centuries. God's process of developing leaders is the same. The book continues with an exploration of a leader's culture, call, community, communion, conflict, and the commonplace. All of these chapters are excellent with the section on conflict being the best. The book is a modern day masterpiece for congregational leadership. It is a book that is intended to refine and train the heart. It accomplishes the desired purpose.

Top-notch work
This is an outstanding work about leadership in the church. It is written in such a way as to bring leaders out of their seats and into the 21st century. "A Work of Heart" will change your thinking about leading today's church.

A Work of the Heart
It is said that before one can address a problem - or opportunity - one must understand that problem (or opportunity). McNeal certainly has understood the opportunity offered the Christian Church to reach out to a pre-Christian (not post-Christian) North American culture. This work presents a passionate appeal to transition to a missional, externally focused approach to ministry by gaining insight into how God shapes the hearts of spiritual leaders through six distinct shaping dynamics in the Christian life. These spiritually formed leaders will have drawn closer to the heart of God, thus recognizing their call to serve in Jesus' name and in His way. Excellent book. Highly recommend.