Expletorical Leadership In Pastoral Leadership, Robert D. Dale

The author of Pastoral Leadership, Robert D. Dale, lays out everyday guidance for those in ministry. Formerly being a teacher at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and having written at least 14 books, Dale gives great insight. This book printed by Abingdon press, can be bought for less than $30. With about that many years in experience, it 's well worth the price. Within the first chapter, Dale looks at necessary foundations for being a leader. He mentions that leaders are: visionaries, imaginative, risk takes, and interestingly knowers of when to follow. Caring for your followers and being a servant will help leaps and bounds. Jesus said: "But the greatest among you shall be your servant." (Mt 23:11). Concerning this and the

He looks at various examples form the Old Testament and from the New Testament. While there were Kings under the old covenant, they were just as much in subjection to God 's Laws as were the people. The Judges, Prophets, and Sages also knew the great God they served. Even if every man has his say, the Lord will have his way at the end of the day. Briefly looking at the New Testament, he mentions Elders and Deacons. Certainly Elders care for the flock as a servant would. Deacons in the Greek literally means: "servant." Jesus, being our best example of a servant, is shown to be one even during his temptations. Dale mentions the "pleasure principle," "power principle," and the "parade principle." Jesus even took the servant route following God 's will during these trials. "Servants don 't demand obedience or submission. They meet their followers at their point of need." (Dale

Dale breaks individuals down to four styles of leadership: catalyst, commander, encourager, and hermit. He lists these four from best to worse. Nevertheless, the each can have their strengths. The catalyst is effective and positive. The commander is efficient and clear. The encourager is emphatic and relational. While the hermit erodes, he can be valuable for buying time. These leaders can be blended with being an entrepreneur (dreamers, organizers, risk takers, builders) and or harmonizer (friendly, agreeable, peaceful). The author is good at making his points and not wasting his words. In chapter four calling it The Leadership Triangle, Dale examines three aspects of leadership: the leader, follower and situation. Depending on what leadership style one has, will influence followers and situations greatly. "Man is not the creature of circumstance, circumstances are the creatures of men." -Disraeli. For example, a hermit 's reserved style will encourage self starters in the congregation to take on more responsibility. The following chapter also gives Biblical examples of leadership styles within this triangle. While helpful, it seems chapter four and five could have been meshed