The Leadership Baton.

Book Review.

Forman, Rowland, Jones, Jeff. Miller, Bruce. The Leadership Baton. An intentional strategy for developing leaders in your church. Zondervan. 2004.

Comment. Henry.
What with the concerns that seem quite prevalent about the practicality of seminary education and the increasing option of hiring from within church congregations the topic of church based leadership training is a very relevant topic. The authors have considerable first hand experience with this topic and make some very thought provoking observations.

“Christianity is always just one generation away from extinction.” (22)

Leadership development will do well in a church culture which values such development. In order for leaders to be developed potential must be recognized in people. Equipping and empowering are more valuable in developing leaders than just focusing on doing. Leaders should at all times be looking out for potential leaders.

Church based training is nothing new. It was part of the first century church. The trend back to church based training has been fueled by “the small group movement, discipleship movement, conference and seminar movement, extension education movement, and technology”. (49-51)

“A whole-life approach to growing leaders will benefit from three integrated components: courses, community, and mentoring.” (65) Courses should emphasize wisdom and character rather than knowledge and facts. The “Six-Step Wisdom Process” (75) has been developed to facilitate how courses are written. Learning must happen in community. Mentoring is an updated version of apprenticeship training. “Mentoring is an intentional spiritual friendship.” (101) This process has a number of phases. Mentoring and being mentored should be part of every leader’s experience.

A “church-based training implementation inventory” (118) is presented. Twelve different steps are involved. A whole chapter is devoted to training (equipping) of members of the governing (elders) board. Equipping emerging leaders will require a process of identifying, inviting, and investing in potential leaders. Church –based training will not be effective without staff development and training, especially if a church is to experience growth. In larger churches this is necessary to avoid the developing of the “silo effect”. (164) Developing of a strong team ministry will happen in community. The internship program is discussed as it relates to church-based training.

Church-based training goes beyond benefiting the church that does the program. It benefits partnerships with other churches, training institutions and community organizations. A very interesting proposal is made by way of conclusion about how church-based training might augment a college and seminary training.