The Unity Factor

by Larry W. Osborne

It's No Secret Serving on a church board can be a tough assignment. Marathon business meetings and petty squabbling can quickly take a toll. But lay leaders aren't the only ones who find board meetings to be a harrowing experience. So do many pastors. Larry Osborne was no exception. Six months into a new pastorate, he found himself embroiled in controversy. Old members left as fast as new ones could be added. He and the board seldom saw eye to eye on anything. Troubled and confused, he set out to find some answers. What were the secrets of an effective leadership team? Could a pastor lead without becoming a dictator? What would it take to develop and maintain a unified board? Could it even be done? Now, many years, board meetings and hours of research later, Pastor Osborne applies tested, no-nonsense wisdom to these and other questions. Whatever your situation...whether your church is in a start-up phase, is small and struggling, or is one of a growing number of so-called mega-churches, Larry has been there. As the senior pastor of North Coast Church, he's walked his congregation and board through each stage. Now, in The Unity Factor, he shows us what it takes to develop a healthy leadership team with sensible strategies and warm encouragement

Genres: Leadership, Church

169 pages, Paperback

First published March 15, 2001

Reviews

[Amory Blaine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dated, but a lot of churches are too. The advice that intrigued me most is to build up your church's strengths instead of trying to overcome its weaknesses. No church is going to do everything well, so focus on the people you have and the ministry that is thriving rather than stripping it of resources to attract a fantasy demographic. Churches are not supposed to be the same, and yours doesn't have to look like the ones on social media to do good work and reach your community. That said, there ARE some things the church needs to work on. The author offers several decent tips, but leaves off a big one: the fact that churches today should no longer be stocking their church boards (which is what the book is actually about, although the updated subtitle calls it a "leadership team") with only men. His examples of leaders and the pronouns he uses for board members are always male. A discerning reader can easily transfer his advice onto a more diverse leadership team, but it would still be nice to have more inclusive language, as well as advice for those from varying backgrounds and cultures.

[Jerod Starkey · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a pastor-only read, but really applicable and wise if you're developing a board or elders in a church. Also lightly addresses church change.

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay.

[Barron Geiger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anyone that has served in church leadership knows how good people can experience interpersonal conflict in a meeting setting, and before you know it, all reason and spiritual discernment has disappeared. Larry Osborne draws from years of experience, seeing a small congregation grow into a so called "mega church". His insight is refreshingly candid and down to earth as he gives advice on how to develop a healthy leadership team and maintain unity in the midst of growth and change.

[Steve Hemmeke · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty decent, practical look at church leadership. Covers conflict, how to work as a team, trust, what NOT to worry about, how to introduce change, etc. Has a fair dose of corporate mentality, but it's not too detrimental.

Beneficial for any church leader facing some conflict. So... any church leader!

[Jonathan Ward · Rating 4 out of 5]

Useful information for a pastor of any sized church to understand where they are at as an organization, and how to get where they are going. Details common obstacles of varying sizes. The primary emphasis of the book though seems to be how to have a cohesive leadership structure no matter the size.

[Rob Whelan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super practical. Presents methods that have emerged from his own struggles. I like that there isn't much mysticism around problems-- he goes about solving them in a straightforward, uncomplicated way.

[Tom Buratovich · Rating 4 out of 5]

Larry Osborne is a very entertaining writer. He is also a very seasoned pastor who is able to lead a church into a great growth wave. He has a wealth of experience from which to draw and will give you a lot of laughs as well as answers.

[Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

The single most influential book I have read this year. Every church planter and minister should put this in their rotation.

[Aaron Carlberg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Seems A LOT like sticky teams.