The Conviction to Lead: 25 Principles for Leadership that Matters By Albert Mohler (Bethany House, 2012)
The Facts: Thousands of books have been written about leadership, yet Albert Mohler states right up front, “my goal is to change the way you think about leadership.” He uses principles to do this—not laws or lessons or strategies—starting with the conviction to honor God and represent Jesus in leadership. Ranging from the extremely practical to the devotional, this book offers a new way to think about leadership.
The Slant: Albert Mohler became president of a flagship seminary when he was very young, had no teaching experience, and had almost no leadership experience at a major organization. Though the faculty stood against him at the time, over the years he has effectively led the seminary to health and prominence. During that journey he has discovered and practiced principled leadership. The Conviction to Lead offers principles every leader should follow. The theme of conviction runs through all of them. Mohler draws on the stories of seminal leaders in all areas of life from ministry to politics to business. Each chapter gets right to the point. This book offers no silver bullets for leadership. Instead the compilation of principles creates a picture of a leader anyone would want to follow, whether in a church or a board room.—Barnabas Piper
The World is Not Ours to Save: Finding Freedom to Do Good By Tyler Wigg-Stevenson (IVP, 2013)
The Facts: Wigg-Stevenson has written a timely and theologically informed response to the many Christians who start off wanting to change the world only to become worn out and disillusioned. The author knows this terrain: a child of activists and the founder of a movement to abolish nuclear weapons, Wigg-Stevenson has experienced the highs and lows of justice work. This book is an invitation to all Christians—especially those who might attend The Justice Conference or belong to the Christian Community Development Association—to pursue our works of mercy and justice in the life-giving pattern of Jesus.
The Slant: If Shane Claiborne’s Irresistible Revolution began the conversation about biblical justice for many young evangelicals, then Wigg-Stevenson is a necessary voice to ensure the conversation matures. The book reminds us of the scope of the world’s brokenness as well as our inability to effect lasting and just change. But the author is no cynic. The chapters are full of heartening examples of justice, glimpses of life within God’s coming kingdom. So if we cannot change the world, what motivation is there to confront injustice? We work for justice because we bear witness to our Savior, the only one capable of saving the world.—David Swanson
Book Bits
Sex & Money: Pleasures that Leave You Empty and Grace that Satisfies By Paul Tripp (Crossway, 2013)
“It is only the gospel of Jesus that has the power to bring sanity to sexuality in a world gone crazy and within this power the potential for real, lasting, personal transformation. Yes, you can live a God-honoring sexual life in a world gone crazy.”
When “Spiritual But Not Religious” Is Not Enough: Seeing God in Surprising Places, Even the Church By Lillian Daniel (Jericho, 2013)
“I actually believe, contrary to popular wisdom, that in an age of spiritual people who are not religious, we need religion, and its dearest expression to this particular religious Christian person, the church.”
Leading and Loving It: Encouragement for Pastors’ Wives and Women in Leadership By Lori Wilhite and Brandi Wilson (Faith Words, 2013)
“Believing that you must be alone and isolated is not only a lie but also dangerous. Satan would love little more than a bunch of isolated, struggling leaders.”
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