Leadership From The Inside Out.

Book Review.

Harney, Kevin. Leadership From The Inside Out. Examining the inner life of a healthy church leader. Zondervan 2007.

K.H.- teaching pastor and evangelism champion at Faith Church in Dyer, Indiana, and Central Wesleyan Church in Holland, Michigan.

Comment. Henry
Kevin uses the analogy of the importance of regular examination (appointments) of the physical body with reference to basil cell carcinoma in order to detect and treat this form of cancer as a model of maintaining good spiritual health. Such self-examination can result in life-giving power. He selects various parts of the body (eyes, mouth, ears, etc.) and explains the spiritual significance of making sure these areas are examined regularly and any problems are dealt with quickly and effectively.

Someone has said, ‘the unexamined life is not worth living’. Self-examination has great significance for physical and spiritual health.

Strong relationships cannot be formed without a practice of and commitment to forgiveness. The study of scripture for sermon preparation cannot take the place of personal study for personal spiritual growth. In fact a variety of resources should be a part of such a study. Effective listening should involve a “360 degree feed-back”. (74) Mentors, peers, friends, etc. will all be a part of such listening.

Vision and vision-casting needs to come from a clear understanding of the church’s direction determined by the past and the present. No leader is excused from the practice of communicating encouragement. The procedure in Matt. 18: 15-17 is used to model personal conflict resolution. At all times it is important to speak the truth in love. This is especially true in practicing church discipline.






Hands on service (e.g. foot-washing) is a mark of a healthy church leader. It is good to “discover the power of joy-filled laughter”. (38) The church environment should not be exempt from humor and fun. Very few things are as devastating as the results of sexual immorality in a church leader’s life.

Cross-bearing is part of the life a healthy church leader. It is difficult but it is doable. Scripture talks about a yoke (cross-bearing) that is easy and a burden that is light.

The author comes back to his analogy of basil cell carcinoma to illustrate the absolute importance of ongoing, thorough self-examination of the inner life to be able to lead “from the inside out”.