Overcoming Your Shadow Mission

by John Ortberg

The challenges, isolation, and relentless demands of leadership can inspire a variety of fears in the heart of a leader; among them fear of failure, fear of mutiny, fear of criticism, fear of disappointing people. However, the greatest fear leaders face is not something that might happen to them, but something that can happen in them---a degeneration of the heart that robs them of their calling and leaves a deep soul dissatisfaction in its place. John Ortberg describes this menacing fear in terms of mission and shadow mission. A mission is the highest purpose to which God calls us; a shadow mission is an authentic mission that has been derailed, often in imperceptible ways. Ortberg writes, 'Part of what makes the shadow mission so tempting is that it's usually so closely related to our gifts and passions. It's not 180 degrees off track; it is just 10 degrees off track, but that 10 degrees is in the direction of hell.' Every leader has a mission---and a shadow mission. Even Jesus had to battle a shadow mission; it was to be a leader without suffering---to be the Messiah without the cross. Ortberg writes, 'If we fail to embrace our true mission, we will live out our shadow mission. We will let our lives center around things that are unworthy, selfish and dark.' Using characters from the remarkable Old Testament story of Esther, Ortberg demonstrates the disastrous consequences of succumbing to shadow mission, and the stunning rewards of whole-hearted commitment to mission. With characteristic humor and insight, the author invites us to follow Esther's example and courageously choose to embrace the mission God gives. Like Esther, we can lead without fear---even in threatening circumstances---because we know God is always at work in unseen, unknown and unlikely ways.

Genres: Leadership, Faith, Christian Living, Christian, Personal Growth, Nonfiction, Church

112 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 2008

Reviews

[Ellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super short book, easy to read in one sitting. I kept putting off this review, but I don't know why. There's a good message in there, about developing Godly character and how that's more important than your natural talents. He uses the example of Samson as someone who was gifted, but used it wrongly. The main Bible story is Esther, and how she had a choice to pursue a shadow mission of luxury and ease, thanks to her beauty, or she could use the position her beauty gave her to achieve God's mission. He contrasts that with Haman and the king.

Easy to read, easy to immediately apply to personal life and work life. There's a big section about work and being a leader there. Definitely uses some cliches and over simplifies some concepts, but it's supposed to be just one small addition to a leadership library. It was worth the read, and I'm actually going to adapt it to do a character study of Esther and Samson for my small group Bible study.

[Tim Ellis · Rating 4 out of 5]

My last book was large. I needed to read something short next and this was the shortest one on my shelf. My first John Ortberg book and I've found I love his writing style. I can tell I'm going to love more of his books. The one downside of this book was the shortness as ideas weren’t that deeply discussed. But it was still thought provoking and helpful. I'll likely quote it.

[Alice Chittock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great little book (very little...)

[Denise Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

So insightful!

[Jeanetta Chrystie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mission, purpose, and counterfeits

How many books on finding your purpose, being a good leader, and developing your gifts have I read...dozens...hundreds? I had heard of Shadow Missions before, but was guessing that it meant something like being in the wrong job or serving on too many volunteer ministries to where I was neglecting my health, relationships, or simply time with God. After studying this book, I realize it's both not those exactly. Yet it is also more than that; because a Shadow Mission stems from our motivations. Those motives that we are perhaps hiding even from ourselves. Boiling down our Shadow Mission to a few words, such as, to be highly thought of by others was a serious call to self-examination. I highly recommend this book, not only for digging deep to expose your Shadow Mission; but also for personal Christian growth in relationship with God, and in defining and reaching for your true mission/purpose at this point in time.

[Steven Bullmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm sorry to learn that this book is already out of print! Too bad because it's a great little mirror into our lives and how we can let self-centeredness or cultural values derail us from the mission God has planned for our lives and adopt instead a "shadow mission"--that mission that is close, but not quite, what God has in mind. Ortberg tells the story of the biblical character Ruth, and how she thought her mission in life was to marry the king and live happily, comfortably ever after in the lap of luxury. Turns out she was the only person in the entire Persian Empire who could stop the pogrom designed by the #2 guy in the Empire--Haman ... who fell victim to his own shadow mission. Ortberg has lists of the most popular "shadow missions" for individuals and organizations. He does a beautiful job of interpreting Jesus' temptation in the wilderness as Jesus' struggling against his "shadow mission." And it ends with suggestions on how to take your team on retreat to identify and then overcome your individual and corporate "shadow missions."

[Aaron Carlberg]

This is from the leader library, a set of books designed to help leaders be better leaders (some of them are good, some are...ehhh). The bulk of the text of this book was originally from Ortberg's book 'When the Game is Over It All Goes Back In the Box.' If you haven't read that book then you will really enjoy this one.

[Malcolm]

In a compact volume - you could read it in half an hour - Ortberg summarises what should be at the core of the life of the disciple. There is such an obviousness about what he shares you can't help wondering why we seem to have missed/overlooked/ignored it. I think every church leader would do well to have this on his shelf and read it regularly

[Shushant · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book, a must read for all the leaders and I should say every one. Author challenges you to focus on your vision and helps you to overcome the obstacles or anything that can hinder you from finishing well.

[Jonathan Larssen · Rating 5 out of 5]

People are always searching to discover the purpose/meaning for their life. This short book is an essential read for those who don't want to replace their mission with its antithesis (a.k.a shadow mission).

[Lisa]

I appreciate the concept of this. Uses the story of Esther to illustrate the concept of shadow missions that can distract us from our true calling in life.

[Lia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Crucial to achieving your goals and staying focused on what really matters.

[Bunny Petrillo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book!!!
Great discussions in my book club, it amazed me how people had different interpretations on this book.

[Jorge · Rating 4 out of 5]

Un excelente libro de liderazgo. El autor plantea con humor la necesidad de trabajar el carácter y mantenernos enfocados