2012 Book List

There is this new phenomenon that I have learned about called book reviews. I know, I know. Many of you have already realized the importance of book reviews and the impact that they can make on your ministry, but I know for me, this is a new phenomenon.

You probably have heard it said, you will be the same person in ten years that you are today except for the people you meet and the books you read. Yet I have always struggled with whether or not I am being exposed to and reading the best books or not. One way to uncover the best books out there is to read book reviews. Make it a habit to read a book review a week. Subscribe to blogs like The Gospel Coalition or Scott McKnight's Jesus Creed. A lot of times these blogs will post a weekly review of one of the latest books that just came out.

Another way to beef up your choice of literature is to become a bibliography fanatic. If you find a book that really knocked the socks off of you, make sure you don't stop reading after the last chapter. Seek out the bibliography. Read the books that that author read in order to write the book. Every time I am reading a book, I keep a running list on the back cover of that book of other books the author mentions that I think might be useful in the future. I do this because if you are like me, I am reading before a meeting or while I'm relieving myself. So I make a quick note, and then go back and add these books to my amazon wish list.
Another great avenue for finding the best books is through end of the year lists. Both Scott McKnight and The Gospel Coalition came out with their best of the best for 2012. Make sure to check out their lists, but also, make it a habit to make your own. Here is my top ten of 2012. Hopefully it's helpful.

10. Is There a Meaning in this Text by Kevin Vanhoozer. This was a textbook for school and it was a tough read but one that has not only helped understand deconstructionism, but has given me the tools to critique it. For all of us pastors trained with the historical-grammatical method of hermeneutics, this book is a great asset to educate us on the mindset of an up and coming generation in relation to interpretation.

9. The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien. After I finished my first semester of graduate school, I was ready to just pick up a novel and have some fun. Since this movie was coming out soon, I thought I would re-read this great book. If you haven't read this classic, pick it up and spend a week or so just hanging out with Bilbo and some dwarfs.

8. A Community Called Atonement by Scott McKnight. My Romans professor at Ozark Christian College assigned this book as one of our required readings and I just couldn't put it down. McKnight does a great job at interacting with all the atonement theories but also providing a very attractive alternative that is both comprehensive and practical for our daily lives.

7.   Theology for the Community of God by Stanley Grenz. This was another book assigned to me for my graduate studies, but I cannot exaggerate the benefit that this book has had on my ministry. Grenz takes a very historical approach to his systematic theology, showing the progression of thought for all the different aspects of theology. This serves as a great reference tool for every area of theology.

6. New Testament and the People of God by N.T. Wright. I had been wanting to dig into Wright's trilogy on Jesus for years, and I finally picked up a shovel this summer. NTPG was a fantastic read about how Jesus is the fulfillment of the story and expectations of the Jews. Wright did a fantastic job at painting the picture of the contemporary political climate that Jesus entered into and how Jesus was the next step in God's story of the redemption of the world. I can't wait to read the second volume this next year.

5. Church Unique by Will Mancini. I am almost finished with this book but wanted to toss it on this list because of the impact it has made on me this year. This is a must-read for anyone who is involved with upper level leadership of a church. Mancini is well-versed in all the areas of vision leadership and really has written an exhaustive step-by-step guide on how to find the unique call that God has laid upon your church in your specific culture.

4. Simply Christian by N.T. Wright. This book has been equated to C.S. Lewis' Mere Christianity. I have never felt like I understood the entire redemptive plan of God as clearly as I did as I read Simply Christian. Wright is truly a scholar that can put the cookies on the lower shelf. His metaphors and teaching brings to life for us simple-minded people the deep theological truths of God's plan to rescue the world through a guy named Abraham.

3. The Mentor Leader by Tony Dungy. Every summer my Granddad and I exchange one book recommendation. This year he chose The Mentor Leader for me to read and I couldn't thank him enough. Tony Dungy,  the head coach of the 2007 super bowl champs the  Indianapolis Colts, has provided leaders with a concept that is so simple yet paradigm shifting. The idea is simply this...it's all about mentoring. Dungy weaves in scripture and story after story of the importance of relationships and mentoring in every organization. Every minister and leader needs to pick up a copy of this one.

2. A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens. Two months ago I would have laughed in your face if you told me this would be my number two favorite book that I read in 2012. It took me ten months of on again and off again reading to finally work my way through this four hundred paged book. It took 180 pages for me to figure out what was going on (June), three hundred pages to start getting excited about it (November), and then the last 100 pages I read in like two days. The book is INCREDIBLE. It is worth grinding through 2/3 of the book confused. I can't wait to re-read it.

1. A Work of Heart by Reggie McNeal. From a leadership perspective, I have never had a book that I felt was focused more on the development of the heart of a leader. Be prepared to take a journey inside yourself to discover how your past and your divine make-up has prepared you for the leadership position you are in today. This is a book I will come back to over and over again for the rest of my life.

Hope this list helps. If you have any book lists or reviews you want to send my way feel free to, I would love to see what God has used to refine you as a leader for his kingdom.

Merry Christmas!!!

Donkeys, Elephants and the Restoration Plea

After this last week's events, I haven't been able to get one simple question out of my mind...is this happening to us?

As I was sitting in my friend's living room, watching the voting results come in, I listened as my friends talked about their concern over what has become known as the "fiscal cliff". Now I don't know much about the details of this apparent cliff that is going to occur at the turn of the year, but what I do know is that the Donkeys and Elephants are so split over the matter that neither side seems willing to give ANY ground. Jesus' statement, "a Kingdom that is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand" seems to ring truer and truer.

So what does this have to do with my question?

As I was reflecting later Tuesday night over the events of the night, I summed up in my own mind what is happening.

There is a major crises, and those who are in a position to take action are so divided that they are incapable of preventing the crises.

Division is the greatest obstacle of action.

So...where does my question come into play? How does all this political mumbo jumbo apply to me and specifically, as the title of this blog suggests, how does this relate to the restoration plea?

Is this happening to us?

My answer...I hope not.

As I heard about this "Fiscal Cliff", I couldn't help but think that is the exact boat we are in as Christians.

We are facing a crises.

The entire world is in this state of fallenness. People are sick, depressed, insecure, sinful, hurting, alone, and ultimately dead. The world is deteriorating, people are suffering and lost.

We are facing a major crises, the largest crises of all, yet...the people Jesus has enabled and empowered and given the task of making disciples of all the nations, of bringing heaven on earth, these people are divided.

There are more than just donkeys and elephants, there are Greek Orthodox, Roman Catholics, Lutherans, Methodists, Presbyterians, Coptics, Baptists, Russian Orthodox, Southern Baptist, American Baptist, Free Will Baptist, etc. etc. and etc.

And in the midst of all these different ideologies, these different movements and churches who think they have it right, there is one shining light...the Restorationists.

Now I hope you are catching my tongue and cheek. My professor has this cartoon outside of his office, poking fun at the idea that we in the Restoration movement think out of all the different denominations and movements in Christianity, we are the first ones to get it right. I posted it below:


All joking aside, I love the restoration movement. I love the plea, "Unity on Biblical Authority". Yet even a movement whose focus was to unify Christianity in order to accomplish God's mission to save the earth,  even a movement with unity as its major emphasis, that movement has split twice within its first 100 years of existence. We now have Christians Churches, Disciples of Christ and Churches of Christ churches who believe they are the TRUE restorationists.

Is this happening to us?

Is what is happening to America, the division between donkeys and elephants, happening to the church?

Is what is happening to America happening to the Restoration movement, a movement based on unity?

I know a lot of people are gravely concerned about what is going to happen to America because of the division in Washington.

I will tell you that D.C. is not what troubles me.

What troubles me is that this division in America has everyone talking, even Christians, but it seems as if everyone isn't too concerned about the fact that Jesus' last prayer in John 17.23, "I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me," this prayer has failed. We are not unified, the world is dying, and because of our disunity the world finds it hard to believe that God sent Jesus and that God loves them. 

What troubles me is the restoration plea of unity on the basis of Biblical authority has done little to unite the church worldwide. 

We are facing something much worse than the fiscal cliff. We are facing the death of billions, eternal death, eternal suffering. And God's solution can't get along. His people are divided, and billions remain in the dark. 

Is this happening to us?

No? Yes? Maybe? I sure hope not.

So what does this mean for the plea of the restoration movement? 

How do we unite the church?

Does the plea need to change? Does it need to be applied differently? Does it need to look different? Are we too closed minded? What needs to change?

These are the questions that we as part of the restoration movement need to struggle with. 

We are facing a crises.  We are divided and division is the greatest obstacle of action. 

"Unity on the basis of Biblical authority." Yet....How?

Must Read Blog

If you are not a faithful reader of Michael Hyatt's blog, "Intentional Leadership," you need to. Just in the last week, Hyatt posted two great blogs on leadership. They are:

9 Rules for Leading More Productive Meetings

and

8 Leadership Lessons from a Symphony Conductor

If you are interested in any kind of leadership, this is a must read blog.

Leading Up

How do you influence an organization when you are NOT at the top?

I feel like this is a question a lot of people my age are asking, because most of us are not coming out of college as CEO's or Senior Pastor's of mega churches (which is probably the way it is supposed to be).

Yet, we have opinions. We are creative and intuitive. We have fresh eyes that maybe people who have been there for years do not possess. Will Mancini in his book Church Unique said that after only thirty days of being part of a new organization, you lose your fresh eyes and become ingrained into the culture and "way things are" of that organization. (Tip: Take strenuous notes the first 30 days at your new job. Do NOT bring up all of your critiques to senior leadership from the beginning, but make your own notes so you can then go back to these thoughts throughout your time at that organization)

So with all that said, how do we influence, not from the top, but from the middle or even the bottom? How do we make changes and philosophical shifts and challenge the status quo?

John Maxwell, in his book 360 Degree Leader, gives nine key steps teaching us how to lead and influence people above us in an organization. They are:

1. Lead Yourself Exceptionally Well
1. If you lead yourself well, managing time, money, resources, tough situations and family life, you establish trust and respect with those above you (especially when you do it at an early age). Leaders listen to those they respect and trust. 
2. Lighten Your Leader's Load
1. One thing Ken Idleman, Senior Pastor at Crossroads Christian Church, told me to do was to ask as many people as possible one question, "How can I help your ministry?" Now you can only do this if you are doing your job with excellence. But as I have lightened my superiors loads, I have helped make them and their ministries successful. And this has led to these people asking me my opinion on different aspects of their ministry. 
3. Be Willing to Do What Others Won't
1. Leaders are looking for team players that care more for the organization rather than their own achievements. The reason they look for people who have a whatever-it-takes attitude is because it reveals motive. Leaders listen to people who they believe have pure motives about the advancement of the ORGANIZATION rather than their own advancement. 
4. Do More than Manage--Lead!
1. This is a slight but very important difference. I don't remember where I heard this but someone said "Managers do things right, leaders do the right things." To manage is to think short term, focusing on tasks and efficiency. Managers answer the "how"question. Whereas leaders think long term, focusing on purpose and intangibles (i.e. morale, motivation, momentum, timing). Leaders answer the "why" question. When you begin thinking on the level of leaders rather than managers, this leads to influence. 
5. Invest in Relational Chemistry
1. Maxwell says, "All good leadership is based on relationships." This is true even for leading those above you. It is important to learn the heartbeat of the leaders above you. When you invest in knowing someone that intimately, you learn how they think, what they desire, what they are passionate about, and specifically you learn how best you can help them. What happens is they come to know you as well, and trust is established between the two of you. Trust always leads to influence. 
6. Be Prepared Every Time You Take Your Leader's Time
1. This is a BIG one. I have established more trust and respect with the pastoral staff and elders at the church I am at right now by simply being prepared. A few weeks into my internship, I decided I wanted to meet one on one with all of the pastoral staff and elders in order to learn from each of them what leadership looks like in the local church. I believe that I ended up meeting with 18 elders and 18 ministers. To these busy people, their time is at least equal to, if not more important than any other currency they have. So when we would meet for lunches or cups of coffee, I showed up with a list of 15-20 questions to ask them. There was not one meeting that lasted more than an hour and a half, with most of them lasting only an hour. Me being prepared with those questions showed people that I valued their time probably more than they did. 
7. Know When to Push and When to Back Off
1. Maxwell says, "Successful leaders make the right move at the right moment with the right motive." Memorize that quote. I have tried to take a "no-talking-except-when-asked" approach during my internship. Now this is a little different for every person in their particular situation, but the principle is the same. Proverbs 17.28 says, "Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues." Being known as the talker teachers people to tune you out. Know when to speak and when not to. The way to learn this, is to shut up for awhile and just observe. Watch the masters at knowing when to speak. When you don't talk you learn more. And if you are being led by a Level 5 Leader (which is from Jim Collins' book, Good to Great) you will notice that they are exceptionally good at this. So learn by watching them.
8. Become a Go-To Player
1. People who get things done in the midst of pressure have tremendous amounts of influence. Become someone that can be a go-to person. Never miss a deadline, instead,  turn things in early. Show that you are efficient and that you can be trusted. Remember what I said about trust, it leads to influence. 
9. Be Better Tomorrow Than You Are Today
1. Maxwell says, "The key to personal development is being more growth oriented than goal oriented." Focus on improving each and every day in your life. Never hope to arrive at some point in your career. Wanting to arrive limits your potential. Arriving equals aiming too low. Make growing your goal, and you will be shocked at the influence that you have with those all around you.

And those are the 9 key steps to leading those above you. Take these to heart and focus on what you CAN influence, not what you CAN'T. And pray that God will do immeasurably more than all you could ever ask or imagine.

Sy Huffer

Welcome!

Welcome to my new blog called, "The Following Leader." I am excited about this new blog because the title sums up what God has been teaching me about leadership the last couple of years. I have one solid conviction about leadership in the church and it is simply this...in God's kingdom, the best leaders are the best followers.

You heard me right.

The best leaders are the best followers.

The way we lead in God's kingdom is by first becoming great followers of Jesus.

That is why Jesus called his disciples with the simple task of following him.

That is why in the transitional section of the Gospel of John, John tells us in John 12.26, "whoever serves me must follow me (Jesus); and where I am, my servant also will be."

And finally that is why in the introduction of the antagonists in Revelation, John tells us the key to success is "following the Lamb wherever he goes (Revelation 14.4)."

Leadership is simply influence, and the way we influence people in God's kingdom is ultimately stripped down to one word...follow.

And that is what this blog is about.

It is my journey in what it looks like to lead by following. Hopefully this blog will not just be an opportunity for me to jot down my random thoughts in order to feel a part of the blogger world, but hopefully this blog will be used as a tool that starts dialogues among other people who are wanting to lead in God's kingdom by following Christ. Please, feel free to share your own wisdom and experience as we bring God and people back together by following so intently after Christ that we lead others to do the same.

Sy Huffer
the following leader