Reforming the Broken Heart of Leadership

Dynamic leaders are created from the inside out. They are those individuals who have discovered that their identity as leaders are found in the integrity of being a child of the creator God, rather than being shaped by their abilities, performances, and successes. This book uncovers the underlying reality of why Christian leaders stray off the path of faithfully living out their calling. Centered in the formative spirituality of Fr. Adrian van Kaam, Dr. Fred Meadows links the many anomalies of leadership to what van Kaam labels as functionalism—a self-sufficient mode of operation, initiated by internal pride that pushes us to define ourselves in terms of our accomplishments . . . we are what we do! Functionalism blocks our ability to see from a higher perspective and to experience transcendence. By rediscovering the ancient practices of silence, solitude, meditation on the Word (lectio divina), journaling, prayer, and practicing community, pastors, ministry leaders, and laity alike can begin the process of reforming broken leadership. Acknowledging their souls as well as their abilities, leaders are able to renew and reconnect with their calling, and minister out of the overflow of God’s presence, while maintaining a healthy and dynamic inner life that fosters being conformed to the image and life of Jesus Christ.