
Loosing Control
Becoming a Pastor Leader with Influence
Ronald D. Anderson(Author)
Wipf & Stock Publishers
Published on 28. May 2015
Book
Hardback
256 pages
978-1-4982-1934-1 (ISBN)
Description
Leaders of congregations want to foster change but how is rarely obvious. Some pursue top-down approaches while others think bottom-up. Either approach assumes some control by the leader, but effective leadership of change needs more than control; it requires influencing the ongoing change that is naturally occurring. In the organizational literature this matter is understood in terms of systems and more specifically complex adaptive systems or self-organizing systems. This literature has important insights for church leaders when viewed in tandem with biblical principles.
These concepts are presented here within the story of a mid-career pastor who is frustrated by his complacent congregation and is seeking a new way forward. Information on complex adaptive systems is presented in the context of the story of his interactions with a church consultant, a seminary professor, some published materials and an ongoing seminar conducted by the consultant. The pastor's engaging issue is whether change in a church is best pursued top-down or bottom-up. Within this context, self-organizing change becomes the central focus of the book and eventually is distinguished from both top-down and bottom-up initiatives. The focus is understanding the connection between such change and biblical principles.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Eugene
United States
Product notice
sewn/stitched
Cloth over boards
With dust jacket
Dimensions
Height: 235 mm
Width: 157 mm
Thickness: 19 mm
Weight
529 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-4982-1934-1 (9781498219341)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

E-Book
05/2015
Wipf and Stock Publishers
€30.49
Available for download
Person
Ronald D. Anderson is Professor of Education Emeritus at the University of Colorado at Boulder, and Executive Presbyter of the Presbytery of Pueblo (PCUSA). He is the author of several books and has served as president of two national professional associations. His career has combined in-depth study of making change in organizations and providing leadership for spiritual transformation in church contexts. Current information is located at http://loosingcontrol.com