Read Books and Beat the Goldfish! #LeadersAreReaders February 2022

Currently, I’m rereading Chris Bailey’s Hyperfocus (2018). When I went to MPH Bookstore the other day, I saw a new book that interest me by Johann Hari entitled Stolen Focus (2022). But the price is so expensive, RM89.90! I understand the book business is having a hard time nowadays and in the same way, owning physical books and encouraging people to be readers is getting hard too (state libraries and discount bookstores like BookXcess are saviors for bibliophiles). Not that I cannot afford to buy the book but as I browse through the contents - besides having newer research and the author’s unique perspectives - I realize that the challenge of managing attention and focus today is the same as yesterday. No new book can claim that this is a new phenomenon. Thus, I reread Hyperfocus and settle with just listening and watching interviews of Johann Hari online… hoping that soon the State Library will have it available. Lord, have mercy.

“Reading a book requires a good deal of attention,” writes Chris Bailey, “and with attention becoming a rare commodity, fewer people can devote themselves to reading without distraction.” Attention is our most limited and constrained resource. According to Microsoft Attention Spans Research Report*, the average human attention span in 2000 is 12 seconds and in 2013, it decreased drastically to 8 seconds (I don’t know how they measure this, but the goldfish have an average attention span of 9 seconds. 1 second longer than the average human!). In today’s fast-paced world of information overload, we’re constantly flooded with social media notifications, text messages, and games. Smartphone users, like you and me, check our devices about 80 to 90 times a day. No wonder we are so distracted. This is one of the reasons for the decline of book-reading culture in Malaysia and the world in general.  We still read but read bits and pieces of information. We have amassed lots of random information but lack actual knowledge, depth, and wisdom. This is not just affecting the overall quality of our work-life (or study-life, if you’re a student) but also the state of our mental health and spirituality.

Therefore, you must cultivate a love for reading books. It helps to train you (or force you, at the beginning) to increase your attention spans. It requires attention and it improves your attention. Jessalyn Lau, from the neuroscience perspective, says: “Reading has been proven to increase your focus, attention span, concentration, and to improve memory.” Perhaps you say you don’t have time to read books. I get what you mean. You have works to do, family to care for, products to promote, etc. But “no time” is a myth. Unless you move at the speed of light and the theory of special relativity applied to you, we all have the same amount of time. It's not about you don’t have time but it's about you MAKE time. We have no problem carving out time for things we want to do. So, take or buy a book that interest you, set an uninterrupted time (10 to 15 minutes for a start) today, turn off or switch your smartphone to silent mode and put it away from your reach, make a cup of hot coffee or tea or chocolate and start reading! Start small but do it frequently. At first, you will still be easily distracted. However, over time it will become a habit. And soon, you will be proud of yourself because you have beat the goldfish attention span record! Congratulation!

*https://www.scribd.com/document/265348695/Microsoft-Attention-Spans-Research-Report  

#ServeToLead #Hyperfocus #AttentionSpans #BeatTheGoldfish #LetsMakeReadingCoolAgain

To read my book reviews of #LeadersAreReaders FEBRUARY 2022, CLICK LINKS below:

1) On the Future: Prospects for Humanity (2018) by Martin Rees https://bit.ly/OnTheFuture

2) The Gift of Reading (2016) by Robert Macfarlane https://bit.ly/MacfarlaneReading 

3) 25 Ways to Win With People (2005) by John C. Maxwell https://bit.ly/25WaysPeople 

4) The Previous book reviews https://bit.ly/1Book1Week 

 

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The Gift of Reading and The Gift of Time #1Book1Week April 2021

 I'm concern with how many of us use the gift of reading and the gift of time nowadays. With no exception, most people would agree with me that reading a good book is better than reading hundreds of random posts on Face-book. Although a heavy use of social media can cause lower levels of literacy and decrease comprehension ability, I bet most of us actually can read fairly well. People who can read very well, but, for whatever reason, are choosing NOT to read a good book is like what Mark Twain observed, "The people who can read but doesn't isn't any better off than the person who can't read."

On second thought, I think Mark Twain is being too modest. I think the person who can read but doesn't is WORST OFF than the person who can't read because they are taking this gift for granted. I've been to rural areas in Sarawak where some of the youths are trying their best to learn to read but because of their culture and limited resources, they can only learn so much. If they have the same kind of opportunities and facilities as most of us in the cities have, they could be as literate as us - and probably even better if they continue to have the thirst for knowledge that we lack. Don't despise the gift of reading and don't waste the gift of time. Or, BOTH WILL BE TAKEN AWAY FROM YOU. God is not fair but He is just ⚡

"Reading," said Burke Hedges, "can transform your life in a flash, and you never know which book... at which time in your life... might be the one that rocks your world and inspires you to grow in ways you never thought possible." Take a good book - and read! ��� By the way, here are my #1Book1Week for April 2021 ���

To read my reviews of these books and more, CLICK HERE.

#ServeToLead #PreachTheWord #LeadersAreReaders #GrowingLeaders #TheGiftsOfReadingAndTime #LetsMakeReadingCoolAgain

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The Book on Leadership (2004) by John MacArthur, Book Review

 

The Book on Leadership (2004) by John MacArthur

Where do I go if I want to read Bible expositions, commentaries, and topical all at the same time? I go to John MacArthur’s books (to read my review of MacArthur’s Ashamed of the Gospel & my Top 15 Books on Leadership, click the titles). MacArthur has been one of the biggest influences in my life in the areas of expository preaching, Word-centered writing, and leadership teachings. I learned so much from the free resources online at Grace to You webpage and The Master’s Seminary YouTube channel. I admire the man because he stands for the truth and his love for the Lord Jesus and the Word of God is very contagious. I don’t fully agree with some of his views such as on charismatic movement as a whole in his book, Charismatic Chaos (1992) and later became a conference and a book, Strange Fire (2013). There are some other ‘controversies’ that I’m aware of but none really that clear and I will not defend someone that I don’t know personally such as MacArthur. One must draw the line between admiring the man for what the Lord has done through him and obsessing – even idolizing – the man, thinking that his theology and life are perfect. Never put your trust and allegiance to a mere man but Christ alone!

Now, let me discuss about this book (in 2010, it was retitled, Called to Lead). As of this writing, amidst many fallen leaders, Pastor John MacArthur, 81 years old, still standing strong. Probably that, I think, mostly attributed to his leadership. What is leadership? Based on Matthew 20:25-28, MacArthur wrote: “According to Christ, then, the truest kind of leadership demands service, sacrifice, and selflessness. A proud and self-promoting person is not a good leader by Christ’s standard, regardless of how much clout he or she might wield. Leaders who look to Christ as their Leader and their supreme model of leadership will have servants’ hearts.” The fact that we must look to Christ as our Leader and “supreme model of leadership” means that He must influence our entire lives. Thus, leadership at its core is influence. “The ideal leader is someone whose life and character motivate people to follow,” explains MacArthur. Not style but character. So, the best example to follow is Christ Himself (one book that I would like to recommend here is C. Gene Wilkes’s Jesus on Leadership) and the next ones are the people who follow Christ faithfully. To MacArthur, it would be Paul the apostle. “Follow my example,” Paul urged the Christians, “as I follow the example of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1). MacArthur reasons, “Of all the biographies I have read and the lives that have left their mark on my character, no one mortal individual has left a deeper impression on me than the apostle Paul. I sometimes feel I know more about him than anyone else except Christ, because I spent a major portion of my life studying the biblical account of his life, letters, and ministry, learning leadership at his feet.” That is not a surprise since he took 42 years to preach the entire 27 books of the New Testament verse by verse of which about half of the books (letters) attribute to Paul.

There are 26 characteristics of a true leader outline in the book and it is divided into three parts. MacArthur writes largely based on biographical material from the life-action of Paul from the Book of Acts and autobiographical from his letters. In Part 1: Paul In Chains: Leadership In Action, he examines from Acts 27 how Paul’s leadership was manifest in the most unlikely of situations; in Part 2: Paul In Corinth: Leadership Under Fire, he helps us to see how Paul deals with issues regarding spiritual leadership and how to handle conflicts in the church primary based on 2 Corinthians; in Part 3: An Approved Workman – Leadership Held to Biblical Standard, he answers these two questions, “How Not to Be Disqualified” and “Who Is Fit to Lead?”; and in Part 4: Epilogue, my favorite, where he skilfully highlights Paul’s triumphant last days on earth even though he might seem to the world as a failure due to his imprisonment and execution. I’m touched by Paul’s testimony in 2 Timothy. “Paul measured his own success as a leader, as an apostle, and as a Christian by a single criterion: He had ‘kept the faith’ – meaning both that he had remained faithful to Christ and that he had kept the message of Christ’s gospel intact, just as he had received it.” Indeed, this is his legacy (come on, LEGASI!) in this life and through eternity. Amazing. To you who are called to lead, read this book!

#ServeToLead #PreachTheWord #LeadersAreReaders #GrowingLeaders #LetsMakeReadingCoolAgain #JohnMacArthur #TheBookOnLeadership #TheApostlePaul #SpiritualLeadership

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The Preacher's Portrait: Some New Testament Word Studies (1961) by John Stott, Book Review

 

The Preacher's Portrait: Some New Testament Word Studies (1961) by John Stott

A book like this must be read with a pen and paper at hand. When Stott writes, I better listen. His writings, especially a superb commentary on 2 Timothy, have been parts of God's instruments that changed my life and draw me closer to the God of the Bible and quench my thirst for His Word. Stott writes clearly (not as an academic scholar but as a loving "Uncle John"), biblically (or should I say, exegetically), and humbly (in the preface he reminds his readers, "I do not pose as an expert, I am far from it"). Yes, I realize some controversies surrounding Stott during his lifetime and even after he died in 2011. Most are false, some are questionable, one or two are plausible. I admire Stott but never in my right mind believe what he wrote is infallible. I echo what Peter said to the Lord Jesus Christ, "You have the words of eternal life" (John 6:68). Only Jesus and His words are infallible - and inerrant.

When Stott was asked during an interview, "What do you believe about the state of preaching today?" Without a pause, he said, "Miserable!" (watch the full interview here: https://youtu.be/eXpY0IPYxcE). I miserably agree. Preachers today become celebrities; preaching becomes entertainment, and motivational speaking and marketing strategy filled the pulpits. Or look at our social media ministries. The message of Memikul Salib Kristus have become self-help advice Menjadi Orang Berjaya dan Sukses and minimize into trivial "Bolehkah Orang Kristian Bertatu?" 😒 What a downgrade! What have we become? Since 1961 through this book (then later in 1982, when he also wrote I Believe In Preaching), John Stott keeps urging us to return to Biblical preaching.

"We need," states Stott, "to gain in the Church today a clearer view of God's revealed ideal for the preacher, what he is, and how he is to do his work. So I shall be considering his message and his authority, the character of the proclamation he is called to make, the vital necessity of his own experience of the Gospel, the nature of his motive, the source of his power, and the moral qualities which should characterize him, notably humility, gentleness, and love. This, I suggest, is the preacher's portrait, a portrait painted by the hand of God Himself on the broad canvas of the New Testament." In short, the preacher is 1) A Steward, 2) A Herald, 3) A Witness, 4) A Father, and 5) A Servant. At first, I wanted to just share summary outlines of what Stott writes about each word. But then again, maybe I'll pass. If this review sparks your interest, you'll find ways to search for it online or better - buy the book! 😉

I was listening to an interview in Open Book Podcast when Stephen Nichols asked John MacArthur about one of the books that influence him the most in his early years as pastor. Yes, one of them is The Preacher's Portrait. He said, "By the time I was through that book, I knew I could never do anything in a pulpit - in my life - except explain the Scripture." The impact of this book is evident 💪 ✍📖 #1Book1Week #LeadersAreReaders #JohnStott #BiblicalPreaching #PreacherAndPreaching #GodsWordAutority

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A Survey of Bible Doctrine (1972) by Charles Caldwell Ryrie, Book Review

 

A Survey of Bible Doctrine (1972) by Charles Caldwell Ryrie

When I found this book, there were no covers. I have to make these blue covers by myself 😁 Most seminarian students (I'm not one) and Bible students (I'm one) know or at least have heard about Charles Ryrie (1925–2016). His life and books have influenced many people like Charles Swindoll and John MacArthur. The critical ones will remember him as a dispensationalist only; the learners, however, as a theologian first. Nobody, including me, will agree with everything he writes and teaches. But nobody can deny his contribution of making the written Word of God accessible and understandable through his writings and teachings.

"God intended you to understand what the Bible teaches," encourage Ryrie in the introduction, "This does not mean that you will comprehend all its truths at first reading or even in a lifetime, but it does mean that you can expect to learn a great deal. God used language which He meant to be taken as normally and plainly as the words in this book. So take it that way and assume He means what He said. When a problem arises, look at it again and remember too that God has promised that the Holy Spirit will also help you to understand His truth (John 16:13; 1 Corinthians 2:12)." Before I ever understand that 'normally and plainly' or 'literal interpretation' of the Bible is synonymous with 'dispensationalism' (false assumption), I already believe that, unless otherwise, the Bible MUST be interpreted literally. And so, as I read this book, I have little disagreements (so far) and am very much pleased by his simple but thoughtful interpretation of the Scripture. Keep in mind though that men of God like Ryrie are not infallible and it is idolatry to expect one redeemed-sinner to know it all. Plus, my knowledge is still limited. In fact, my disagreements might be due to my faulty beliefs and ignorance. I'm glad I'm not yet arrived. By God's grace, I'm still growing 🙏 At the end of the day, we must examine everything with and by the Scripture. Sola Scriptura.

Contents: 

1) What Is God Like?

2) Is the Bible Inspired?

3) Jesus Christ the Lord

4) The Holy Spirit

5) The World of Angels

6) The Nature of Man

7) Christ's Salvation

8) What Is the Church?

9) What Does the Future Hold?

To go in-depth, read his later works such as Basic Theology and The Ryrie Study Bible 😊💪⚡ #1Book1Week #ServeToLead #LeadersAreReaders #LetsMakeReadingCoolAgain #CharlesRyrie #BibleDoctrine

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Reading While In the Prison #1Book1Week December 2020

 

The apostle Paul reminds Timothy: "When you come, be sure to bring the coat I left with Carpus at Troas. Also, bring my books, and especially my papers" (2 Timothy 4:13). Do you know that Paul was in the dark, lonely, cold prison? Do you know that Paul was about to die? Do you know that 2 Timothy is most probably his last letter? We can consider his needs for a coat since it's cold and maybe winter was near. But asking for books (scrolls) and papers (parchments) is a bit puzzling to me. Of course, the books were probably parts of the Old Testament Scriptures but does he really desire to read and study until the end of his life?

I also read another crazy man of God, William Tyndale, who also asked a similar request during his imprisonment: "But above all, I entreat and beseech your clemency to be urgent with the Procurer that he would kindly permit me to have my Hebrew Bible, Hebrew Grammar, and Hebrew Dictionary, that I may spend my time with that study." Truth be told, men like Paul and Tyndale are men of action, not just bookworms. But you can see their desire and thirst for knowledge ("of the holy," as A.W. Tozer would put it) and to learn more of Him (through the written Word) even amidst their difficulties. Nowadays, most Christians despise learning and instead are imprisoned by smartphones... which is not a smart move. Learn from the wise, and you will be wise - read solid, real, physical books! 😊⚡📖

Here is my #1Book1Week list for December 2020. If you have read any of these 👇 (or from other lists of the past) and you would like to discuss them with me, just contact me through inbox ya:

1) Ashamed of the Gospel: When the Church Becomes Like the World (3rd Edition, 2010) by John MacArthur. CLICK HERE

2) An Ironside Expository Commentary: 1 and 2 Timothy, Titus, and Philemon (Originally, 1947) by Henry Allen Ironside. CLICK HERE

3) God's Words: Studies of Key Bible Themes (1981) by J.I. Packer. CLICK HERE

4) Daniel, Man of God: Being a Man of Character in a Babylon World (Revised, 2018) by Dwight L. Moody. CLICK HERE

#ServeToLead #LeadersAreReaders #GrowingLeader #LetsMakeReadingCoolAgain #JohnMacArthur #HAIronside #JIPacker #DLMoody

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Ashamed of The Gospel: When the Church Becomes Like the World (2010, Third Edition) by John MacArthur, BOOK REVIEW

Ashamed of The Gospel: When the Church Becomes Like the World
(2010, Third Edition) by John MacArthur

Our Lord Jesus Christ reminds the disciples: "Whoever is ASHAMED OF ME and OF MY WORDS in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also BE ASHAMED when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels" (Mark 8:38). The apostle Paul reminds the church: "I AM NOT ASHAMED OF THE GOSPEL, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek" (Romans 1:16). And almost at the end of his life, he reminds his timid protégé, Timothy: "Therefore DO NOT BE ASHAMED of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God... which is why I suffer as I do. But I AM NOT ASHAMED, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me" (2 Timothy 1:8, 12).

John MacArthur argues that the American Church is heading - in fact here and now, even worst - back to the Down-Grade Controversy* during the time of Charles H. Spurgeon. Progressive theology, liberalism, (post) modernism, pragmatism, seeker-sensitive, and the worldliness of the churches today are getting worst and worst. Shocking but not surprising since the Scripture already warned us in 2 Timothy 3. I figure whatever happened to the churches in America will eventually happen here in Malaysia. I have observed it here already. Instead of God-centered, our churches become human-centered. Instead of Word-saturated, the pastors preach on self-motivated. Instead of the Gospel of Christ, the people crave entertainment and organize miss world a.k.a. ratu cantik di gereja. Sometimes I cannot see the difference between the church and the world. Generally speaking, we are ASHAMED OF THE GOSPEL.

As usual, MacArthur tackles these issues with grace and firmness, the balance between exposing the falsehood and the exposition of the truth of God's Word, outlining the bankruptcy of show-time religion and the power of God unto salvation. I've read this book once and now that I read it again, I found many unnoticed treasures. It encourages, reminds, and warns me if I ever compromising the truth (Lord, am I ashamed of your Gospel?). I can finish it earlier but I deliberately reading it slowly and sometimes repeatedly to savor the nuggets of truth found in this finely written classic. Read it! 📖💪😊 #ServeToLead #1Book1Week #LeadersAreReaders #LetsMakeReadingCoolAgain #AshamedOfTheGospel #JohnMacArthur #CharlesHSpurgeon

To read my other book reviews, CLICK HERE: http://bit.ly/1Book1Week

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Angelus' Quote: Real Success Is Doing the Will of God Regardless of the Consequences

 

Currently, I'm rereading John MacArthur's Ashamed of the Gospel (together with R.C. Sproul's The Holiness of God). In this meaty book, MacArthur is dealing with the modern-day Down-Grade Controversy. As he compares the Biblical Church to the User-Friendly Church nowadays, he touches on the topic of success: "Size [of the church] does not signify blessing. And popularity is no barometer for success... In Scripture, big budgets, affluent members, and large membership rolls are NEVER portrayed as valid goals.

"Paul was not telling Timothy how to be 'successful'; he was not instructing him on techniques for increasing attendance figures; he was encouraging him to pursue the DIVINE STANDARD... It is not prosperity, power, prominence, popularity, or any of the other worldly notions of success. Real success is doing the will of God regardless of the consequences" (page 42) 💪⚡📖 #ServeToLead #ObedienceOverSuccess #SpiritualLeader

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Who Are Your Role Models?

Role models are important. They help us become the person we want to be and inspire us to make a difference. Either by choice or by default, we all have role models - and we WILL imitate or emulate whom we admire

One of my girl friends admires BTS (K-pop group) because she said they are talented and hardworking guys. Obviously, she chooses Team B and nothing is wrong with that. We all have the right to choose What I'm trying to say is to CHOOSE WISELY. It means that you choose role model(s) that will be positively influenced and encouraged you to be the best person possible #ServeToLead #ChooseRoleModelsWisely #GrowingLeader #YouBeWhoYouAdmire

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Men Who Finished Strong: Jack MacArthur, Part 3

Preaching several years ago in Scotland, John MacArthur Jr. was approached by a man after the service. “Is your father named Jack MacArthur?” the man asked. MacArthur said yes.

“Your father came to Ireland over thirty years ago with two other men to hold a revival in Belfast and in other parts of the country. I went to hear your father speak, and at that meeting, I received Jesus Christ and dedicated my life to the ministry. I am a pastor because the Lord used your father to minister to me. Would you tell him that when you see him?”

MacArthur indicated that he would, and then the man asked another question. “Where is your father now?” MacArthur told him that his father was preaching and pastoring. The man then asked, “Is he still faithful to the Word?” “Yes, he still faithful and still standing.” “What happened to the other two men who were ministering with your father?” MacArthur replied, “I’m sorry to report that one has denied the faith and the other died an alcoholic.”

There it is again. Three relatively young men, completely committed to Christ, make their way to Ireland to preach the gospel. They see God do great things. But thirty years later when the dust had settled, only one out of the three was still standing.

In the Christian life, it’s not how you start that matters.

It’s how you finish.

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

Book Review: Spurgeon on Leadership (2010) by Larry J. Michael

Spurgeon on Leadership: Key Insights for Christian Leaders from the Prince of Preachers
(2003, 2010) by Larry J. Michael

Reading biographies – Christian biographies, especially – is one of the best decision I ever made and habit that I will keep for a lifetime. Philip Brooks, preacher, and author, said, "A biography is, indeed, a book; but far more than a book, it is a man… Never lay the biography down until the man is a living, breathing, acting person to you." We who are in the ministry – of all people – ought to read biographies. We minister to real people, and the better we understand great men and their times, the better we can minister to our people in our times. A truly good biography of a great person "has a universal quality about it that makes it touch life at many points," observed Warren W. Wiersbe.

Charles H. Spurgeon (1834-1892), well-known British’s 19th-century preacher, though I never met him, is my spiritual mentor. Since I read two of his awesome biographies Spurgeon: A New Biography (1984) by Arnold Dallimore and Charles Spurgeon: The Prince of Preacher (1997) edited by Dan Harmon, my respect, and admiration for him ever increases. It was intensified by my reading of Spurgeon Gold (2005) collection of quotes compiled by Ray Comfort and a huge volume of The Essential Works of Charles Spurgeon: Selected Books, Sermons and Other Writings (2009) edited by Daniel Partner which is over 1,391 pages! Many great preachers today also admire Spurgeon, men like John MacArthur [in his book Ashamed of the Gospel, MacArthur warned the church today not to be like the world. He uses the life of Spurgeon as an example of a faithful preacher of Christ] and John Piper for examples [he preached and wrote a book entitled Charles Spurgeon: Preaching Through Adversity]. Spurgeon is my spiritual mentor and his life is an inspiration for me. I never dream of becoming like him – far from it – because as Philip Brooks advice, "The object of reading biography… is not imitation but inspiration." Oh yes, an inspiration indeed!

Because of this, I rejoice gladly and read with great interest this book by Larry J. Michael. You can't separate Charles Spurgeon, pastor of the first megachurch in church history, from his excellent leadership. Beside pastored a megachurch, he also began a college to train pastors, founded an orphanage, instituted countless charitable organizations, sending missionaries, and bless other churches through his preaching, publishing books and book ministry for not-well-to-do pastors. No doubt among churches today this type of leader is in high demand, and Spurgeon's leadership style and innovations provide a challenging model. Rich Warren writes, "Spurgeon's model of leadership has profoundly influenced my life and ministry." Tom. S. Rainer agrees, "In every generation as few leaders emerge to set the pace and established the standards for leadership. [C.H. Spurgeon] was definitely one of these great leaders." John C. Maxwell simply says, "I highly recommend this book to all serious students of leadership!"

Here Michael points out not merely the insights of what it means to be an influential leader but also important fundamentals such as Christian commitment and moral character. Moreover, he shows how Spurgeon demonstrated extreme courage and conviction for those principles and how, in the various controversies that surrounded his ministry, he rose to meet them with a genuine sense of Christian maturity and Biblical constancy. Michael also stresses important characteristics such as grasping a vision for the task and prioritizing one's ministry in both the setting and the context of pastoral compassion and leadership. He also highlights Spurgeon as Christian model for both his staff, church members, and – especially for his family. Here too Michael does not exclude the fact that leadership often entails suffering and that was where Spurgeon truly ascended to the heights of leadership (besides physical illnesses, he also suffered depression). This book officially becomes my favorite leadership book!

It is divided into 3 parts and each cover leadership insights that are both historical in its context and practical for today's applications:

Part 1: The Leader for All Seasons

#1 Competence: Developing and Demonstrating Leadership

#2 Confidence: Balancing Faith, Attitude, Initiative, and Humility

#3 Context: Spurgeon in Victorian England

#4 Calling: Conversion and Growth

#5 Character: An Example of Integrity

Part 2: Leading Through the Seasons

#6 Casting Vision: Spurgeon's Goals and Planning

#7 Courage: Standing for Righteousness, Scripture, and Sound Teaching

#8 Commitment: Teaching and Modelling Devotion to Family

#9 Creativity: Preaching, Methods, and Ministry Innovations

#10 Compassion: Personal Toughness and Pastoral Tenderness

#11 Compass: Leading Despite Criticism and Conflict

#12 Coping: Dealing with Illness and Depression

Part 3: Applying the Lessons of a Leader

#13 A Leader for the World in Crisis

#14 A Leader for the Daily Challenge

Do you know why Spurgeon was such a great leader? For your information, he didn't go to any theological school (huh, I’m glad). Humanly speaking, he was self-taught. This is his theology and how he became a great man of God: "Jesus, Jesus, Jesus is my Lord!" he exclaimed. With Lord Jesus Christ as his Master, only Master, everyone including Spurgeon is nothing but the humble servant of God. He first a follower of Jesus, then only he is a leader of men. Keep this in mind.

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

Leader is Influencer and a Reader: My Top 15 Book on Leadership Lists

“Leadership is influence” (John C. Maxwell)
“Leaders must be readers” (Kelsey Meyer)

A leader has two important characteristics: first, he is going somewhere; second, he is able to persuade other people to go with him. John C. Maxwell, one of my favourite authors, famously quote: “He that thinketh he leadeth, and hath no one following, is only taking a walk.” That is true! A leader is a person who is going somewhere – but not going alone. He takes others with him. His ability in setting up situations in which others are willing to follow him and happy to work with him is a precious skill called leadership.

“[Leadership] skill is make up of many qualities,” writes Walter MacPeek, “thoughtfulness and consideration for others, enthusiasm, the ability to share responsibility with others, and a multitude of other trails. But fundamentally a leader is one who leads, one who has a plan, one who keeps headed toward a goal and a purpose. He has the enthusiasm to keep moving forward in such a way that others gladly go with him.” Are you a kind of leader where people are following you or chasing you?

How to lead and getting others to want to do something you are convinced should be done? How to lead effectively? How to be a good influencer for others? How to be a leader that people want to follow? First and foremost, I think, to be a good leader one need to be a good follower. Then maybe one need to learn more about one leadership style, be a role model, be passionate, listen more than talking, having a teachable and positive attitude, encourage and able to motivate others, fear God and love people – and leader must be reader! This last point lead me to recommend you some of good books on leadership that I want to encourage you to read. Let us learn together.

My Top 15 Book on Leadership Lists (buy or borrow from me or steal it!):

1)    The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey

2)    Ultimate Leadership 3-in-1 (The Winning Attitude, Developing the Leaders around You, Becoming a Person of Influence) by John C. Maxwell

3)    Ultimate Leadership: Maximize Your Potential and Empower Your Team (The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership, Developing the Leaders Within You, The 17 Indisputable Laws of Teamwork) by John C. Maxwell

4)    The Heart of a Leader: Insight on the Art of Influence by Ken Blanchard

5)    Leadership Style of Jesus by Michael Youssef

6)    Life is Tremendous by Charlie T. Jones

7)    Spiritual Discipleship: Principles of Following Christ for Every Believer by J. Oswald Sanders

8)    Spiritual Leadership: A Commitment to Excellence for Every Believer by J. Oswald Sanders

9)    Be Determine: Nehemiah by Warren Wiersbe

10) Jesus on Leadership by  C. Gene Wilkes

11) Launching a Leadership Revolution: Mastering the Five Levels of Influence by Chris Brady and Orrin Woodward

12) Lead Like Jesus: Lessons from the Greatest Leadership Role Model of All Time by Ken Blanchard and Phil Hodges

13) The Leader Who Had No Title by Robin Sharma

14) The Book on Leadership by John MacArthur

15) The Bible – God on Leadership!

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.