Ducking Spears, Dancing Madly: A Biblical Model of Church Leadership

by Bruce C. Birch, Lewis A. Parks

Leadership among God's people is not a matter of easy answers or simple solutions. There is no foolproof list of character traits that one can acquire and develop in order to be a successful leader. Authentic leadership is a complex interaction of the leader's gifts and calling, the people's needs and response, the particular situation of the moment, and, above all, the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Birch and Parks believe if we wish to understand the intricate and messy character of leadership in the church, the obvious place to start is Scripture. The Bible portrays leaders not as heroes placed on a pedestal, but rather as flawed and fallen human beings who nonetheless work with the people around them and with the situation at hand to move toward accomplishing the will of God.

Ducking Spears, Dancing Madly is a penetrating look at church leadership through the stories of Saul, David, and other central Old Testament figures. The authors demonstrate that those who have a clear and honest understanding of the triumphs and flaws of the individuals who lead God's people in Scripture will be better prepared to lead God's people today. In order to provide that understanding, they engage in a dialogue with the books of 1 and 2 Samuel, texts that portray the people of Israel in frequent social and political transition, and hence in need of effective leadership.

Genres: Religion

192 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2004

Reviews

[John Lucy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book by Parks and Birch doesn't include a whole lot of detailed, practical advice regarding how to be a leader and that's because it is based on the story of David in 1 and 2 Samuel. David's story can teach us a lot about the "who" and "what" of a leader but not a lot of the "have meetings on Monday nights" type of information. In my opinion, though, telling the story and character of a leader are more important than detailing the nitty-gritty of leadership. Certainly, there are specific actions that a leader needs to know how to do, but in the church, at least, the story and character are more important.

Since Parks bases his book on the commentary on 1 and 2 Samuel by Bruce Birch, one of the best commentaries out there, it contains a lot of solid biblical backing. It all makes for an easy, intelligent and insightful read.

At the end of the day, you will need other books to inform your understanding of being a church leader, but this should be part of your library.

[Ron · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written look at church leadership from a scriptural perspective. 1 & 2 Samuel are used to explore how leaders are selected, nurtured, & viewed. Very insightful and worth the read.