LLC Reading List

Learn From Those Who Have Learned home title

2011

January

Sticky Teams by Larry Osborne

Comment: An excellent guide for developing leadership teams and ministry teams. Written for the pastor, yet accessible for all interested in improving teamwork. Caution: The author advocates for governance through elders. His model includes staff members as elders, a practice that may be okay in churches larger than 2,000 with mature, senior staff. This is not recommended for smaller congregations.

February

Transforming the Church in Rural America by Shannon O’Dell

Comment: This book dismisses all the excuses about not being able to grow a church in a small place. The pastor left a cushy staff position with good compensation in a large church to become the pastor of a congregation of 31 in a town with a population of 42. Within a short time-frame the pastor courageously led the church through major transformation. This resulted in new, creative ministries, especially for a rural setting, and high numbers of conversions. A great book for encouraging church transformation in any setting. To watch Shannon O’Dell in action go to www.brandnewchurch.com. Shannon O’Dell will be one of the speakers for the 2011 Leadership Tune-Up. Caution: The author writes from a complementarian perspective. At times this will grate on the nerves of egalitarians. He can also come off as a “know it all”, but there is still much to gain from reading this book.

March

The Truth About Leadership by Kouzes and Posner – Part One, Read chapters 1 through 5.

Comment: Perhaps the best distillation in print on what leadership looks like. An excellent read. Will require some reflection for application within the church context.

April

The Truth About Leadership by Kouzes and Posner – Part Two, Read chapters 6 through Epilogue.

May

Not Your Parent’s Offering Plate by Clif Christopher

Comment: A perfect economic storm has descended on churches. It is the result of several factors including the present recession and troublesome giving patterns among younger generations of Christians. This book addresses this challenge in a helpful manner.

September

Switch by Chip Heath & Dan Heath

Comment: The subtitle for this book is “How to Change Things When Change Is Hard.” An engaging read that shows that people process the challenge of change in two ways: rational and emotional processes. Aligning the two paves the way for receptivity to change. For any leader and church wrestling with change this is a must read.

October

Every Congregation Needs a Little Conflict by George Bullard, Jr.

Comment: This book identifies seven levels of conflict that churches face. Helpful advice is given for handling the conflict at each level. Caution: The books lacks a presentation of basic biblical guidelines for dealing with conflict. This read should be supplemented with other resources that fill in this missing gap.