Overcoming the Dark Side of Leadership

L. McIntosh Gary, Sr. Rima Samuel D.

Description

The Christian world has been rocked by the number of prominent leaders, in both church and parachurch organizations, who have been compromised by moral, ethical, and theological failures. This pace-setting volume addresses this alarming problem and offers Christian leaders valuable guidance in dealing with the inherent risks of their work.Using biblical and current examples, the authors describe the characteristics of five types of leaders and the problems that are most likely to develop if their particular dysfunctions develop unrestrained. McIntosh and Rima offer a series of steps for leaders to consider so they can take control of their dark side and learn to harness its creative powers. This edition includes a new introduction, updated information throughout, a self-assessment tool, and other additional material. Includes endorsements from John Maxwell, Leighton Ford, Leith Anderson, and Rob Angel.

Sujets

• Philosophie et théologie

Informations

• Publié par: Baker Publishing Group
• Date de parution: 01 novembre 2007
• Nombre de lectures: 2
• EAN13: 9781441200556
• Langue: English

Extrait

Not all driving forces within a leader are positive. Becoming a strong leader requires not only the cultivation of God-given gifts, but the ability to overcome negative factors. I recommend Overcoming the Dark Side of Leadership to anyone striving to overcome obstacles in order to become a more effective leader.
John Maxwell , founder, Injoy
Gary and Sam give leaders permission to confront the darkest battles within in order to serve others in life-transforming ways. For all who are bold enough to embark on this courageous journey, redemption, restoration, and renewal will be your rewards.
Dr. Stephen A. Macchia , founder and president, Leadership Transformations, Inc.; director, Pierce Center, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary; author, Becoming a Healthy Team
One of the most important qualities an effective leader must possess is often the most lacking: self-awareness. Effective leaders are acutely self-aware, knowing not only their strengths but also their weaknesses-the dark side of those strengths. And without this self-awareness, many leaders crash and burn without realizing their full potential for the kingdom of God. In Overcoming the Dark Side of Leadership , Gary McIntosh and Sam Rima have done a masterful job of helping leaders avoid the pitfalls that have consumed far too many leaders. This is a must-read for any leader who is serious about taking his or her leadership to the next level.
Dr. Albert L. Winseman , global practice leader for faith communities, The Gallup Organization; author, Growing an Engaged Church: How to Stop Doing Church and Start Being the Church Again
Every leader has a shadow side, like the dark side of the moon-areas that are disguised, or perhaps explored but unrecognized. I am convinced that our leadership will be stronger and the dangers of collapse lesser if we become aware of these dark areas and bring them into the light early.
Leighton Ford , president, Leighton Ford Ministries
There is no question in my mind of the practicality, relevancy, and usefulness of this book. I have a difficult time thinking who would not be helped by reading it; seminarians, pastors, and denominational and parachurch leaders would all benefit . Anyone who is serious about being a good leader will be helped by this book.
Robert Ricker , former president, Baptist General Conference
This book will help you gain the insights necessary to protect yourself from significant failure.
Rob Angel , creator of Pictionary
OVERCOMING THE DARK SIDE OF LEADERSHIP
Other books by Gary L. McIntosh
Beyond the First Visit
Biblical Church Growth
Church That Works
Creating Community
The Exodus Principle
One Church, Four Generations
Staff Your Church for Growth
Other books by Samuel D. Rima
Leading from the Inside Out

1997, 2007 by Gary L. McIntosh and Samuel D. Rima
Published by Baker Books a division of Baker Publishing Group P.O. Box 6287, Grand Rapids, MI 49516-6287 www.bakerbooks.com
Printed in the United States of America
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means-for example, electronic, photocopy, recording-without the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
McIntosh, Gary, 1947-
Overcoming the dark side of leadership : how to become an effective leader by confronting potential failures / Gary L. McIntosh, Samuel D. Rima.- Rev. ed.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references (p. ).
ISBN 10: 0-8010-6835-5 (pbk.)
ISBN 978-0-8010-6835-5 (pbk.)
1. Christian leadership-Psychology. I. Rima, Samuel D. II. Title. BV652.1.M394 2007
253-dc22 2007022636
Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture is taken from the New American Standard Bible , Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.
Scripture marked NRSV is taken from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Sam: I dedicate this book to my wife, Sue. Because of her Christlike character and incredible love for me I have been better able to deal with the shadow side of my character. She is my best friend and my greatest asset in ministry and life. She has enabled me to go places and accomplish goals that would have been impossible without her.
I also dedicate this book to Dr. Greg Bourgond, a friend and mentor who encourages and motivates me and many others to always live and lead in God s strength and to his honor.
Gary: I dedicate this book to the members of Grace Baptist Church in San Bernardino, California, who patiently endured my struggle with the dark side and lovingly supported me through it all (1976-1983). May every young pastor be blessed by a similar, caring congregation.
CONTENTS
Preface
Acknowledgments
Introduction to the Revised Edition
Part 1 Understanding Our Dark Side
1. Blindsided by the Dark Side
2. Danger on the Dark Side
3. Company on the Dark Side
4. Shedding Divine Light on the Dark Side
5. How the Dark Side Develops
6. Seafood, Pictionary, and the Dark Side
7. Paradoxes of the Dark Side
Part 2 Discovering Our Dark Side
8. The Compulsive Leader
9. The Narcissistic Leader
10. The Paranoid Leader
11. The Codependent Leader
12. The Passive-Aggressive Leader
Part 3 Redeeming Our Dark Side
13. Overcoming the Dark Side
14. Spiritual Composting
15. Step 1: Acknowledge Your Dark Side
16. Step 2: Examine the Past
17. Step 3: Resist the Poison of Expectations
18. Step 4: Practice Progressive Self-Knowledge
19. Step 5: Understand Your Identity in Christ 213
Postscript
Appendix A: Personality Profiles
Appendix B: Accountability Group Covenant
Appendix C: Sample Personal Constitution
Appendix D: Sample Performance Evaluation
Appendix E: Identifying Your Dark Side
Notes
Suggested Reading List: For Further Study and Redemption of the Dark Side
P REFACE
T he proliferation of significant leadership failures within the Christian church and various other Christian organizations during the final two decades of the twentieth century has been without doubt one of the most serious threats to the continued credibility and viability of Christianity in an increasingly secular and skeptical American culture. It is not uncommon to hear on an almost monthly basis of yet another failure within some segment of the Christian leadership community. Unfortunately it seems that it is very often those leaders occupying highly visible and influential positions who are the victims of these failures.
In light of this increase in failures among Christian leaders, or at least our increased awareness of them, something must be done to educate present and future leaders as to the causes, results, and potential prevention of these failures. Sadly, very little training is given in this area at the seminary and graduate school level to help future leaders diagnose and address personal issues that may plague them in their exercise of leadership. It is our prayer that this book will assist in doing so.
The Seeds for This Study
Sam s initial interest in the dark side of leadership was kindled during his seminary days as he watched the ministry empire of Jim Bakker begin to crumble on national television. Watching in amazement as the Bakkers broadcast desperate and convoluted explanations of their sexual exploits, drug addictions, clandestine payoffs, and financial failures while in leadership at PTL, Sam wondered how a Christian leader like Jim Bakker could have fallen so far and committed such nefarious acts. It was a wake-up call of sorts. During the aftermath of the PTL debacle, additional reports of moral failure involving Jimmy Swaggart and his fellow evangelist Marvin Gorman began to reveal how widespread such dalliances with the dark side were among Christian leadership ranks.
Gary s concern for the dark side of leadership gained focus shortly after he became director of the Doctor of Ministry program at Talbot School of Theology in the fall of 1986. Within a few short years he watched in frustration and pain as his two most popular adjunct professors-Gordon MacDonald and Frank Tillapaugh-disclosed moral failures.
What caused gifted leaders such as Frank Tillapaugh, Gordon MacDonald, Jim Bakker, Jimmy Swaggart, and others to fail so dramatically in spite of their obvious love for God and passion for his church? One would think that people in such high-profile positions would take special care to maintain a reputation above reproach. It almost seemed as if these leaders were driven to experience failure in equal proportion to their success.
We began informally to explore the background of these leaders in an effort to learn what, if anything, was the common thread in their failures. We were desperate to learn how we could protect ourselves from such humiliating failure in the future and help others to avoid similar defeats.
We observed that in spite of the waves of moral failure lapping the shores of the Christian world at that time, few people preparing for leadership received instruction or other assistance bion this issue. In some schools it seemed to be a topic that was almost purposely neglected. The failure of Christian leaders was like a family secret no one wanted to talk about. This was especially true when news of the downfall of evangelical leaders of national renown hit the media.
Another motivating factor in the inception of this book was our own personal struggles with the dark side. Sam discovered that an unhealthy compulsion to succeed led to a period of depression and burnout. What was it that drove him to work fourteen-hour days and still feel like a slacker? Why did he constantly feel th