In exploring this relationship between preaching and leadership, Quicke suggests that preachers who seek to be better leaders will need four skills in their ministries:
- Generating and sustaining creative tension
- Harnessing the power of mental models
- Enabling team learning
- Practicing systems thinking
The book is thick with practical insights drawn from the best leadership teaching of recent years, flavored by an author who “walked the walk” as a pastor of two local churches, and who has spent his most recent years training a new generation of preachers as a professor of preaching at Northern Baptist Theological Seminary.
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Quicke’s vision of the power of preaching is rooted in his 360-degree model which is Trinitarian in nature. He sees preaching operating “within a 360-degree dynamic empowered by God’s returning Word. God the Father reveals truth through Scripture and by his Son, Jesus, the Word, who is central to every gathering of believers, and through the Holy Spirit the preached Word inspires, convicts, and renews.”
Lest the reader mistakenly believe that he is seeking to enhance the leadership effectiveness of pastors in a way that will build egos, Quicke asserts, “I believe that biblical preaching gives glory to God by its transformational power to change individuals and community, and that means taking leadership very seriously, ensuring that it does not focus on human glory.” He adds: “Christian leadership is emphatically not about becoming Chief Executive Officers. Rather, it calls for skillful shepherding that addresses individual needs with their community consequences. In Scripture shepherds have very significant leadership roles. When Jesus claims: ‘I am the good shepherd’ (John 10:11) he sums up his whole ministry purpose and he happens to be the world’s greatest leader.”
As an experienced pastor as well as a talented teacher and writer, Michael Quicke understands leadership well and helps us understand it better. This is an excellent and helpful book that deserves a place on any pastor’s bookshelf.