How to Lead When You’re Not in Charge

Clay Scroggins (Zondervan)
“Influence always outpaces authority,” writes Clay Scroggins. “And leaders who consistently leverage their authority are far less effective in the long term than leaders who leverage their influence.” Scroggins identifies four behaviors that will help readers leverage their influence: lead yourself, choose positivity, think critically and reject passivity. He also gives sage advice for challenging authority as a second-chair leader, when that becomes necessary. His bottom line advice? “Practice leading through influence when you’re not in charge. It’s the key to leading well when you are in charge.” This is an insightful book for second-chair church leaders and young ministers.

Shattering the Stained Glass Ceiling

Robyn Wilkerson (Influence Resources)
Women face many obstacles to their spiritual leadership. Robyn Wilkerson deals with internal obstacles in this book, that is, those self-limiting patterns of thought that keep women from fully embracing what God has called and empowered them to be. “You control your thinking,” writes Wilkerson, “and that shapes the direction of your life.” To help women leaders change their mindset, Wilkerson outlines a coaching strategy based on five leadership attributes: missional, reframing, connecting, engaging and renewing. This is a good read for women ministers, as well as for male pastors who want to open doors of opportunity for them.

Mere Sexuality

Todd A. Wilson (Zondervan)
“Did you know,” Todd Wilson asks, “despite a genuine diversity of views expressed along the way, the church has held to a coherent view of human sexuality for centuries?” With a nod to C.S. Lewis, he calls this view “mere sexuality.” The book touches on “a whole range of biblical, theological, cultural, and practical questions,” including biological sex, gender identity, marriage, celibacy and homosexuality. Throughout, Wilson interacts with the core theological themes of the Bible, including creation, the Incarnation, and eschatology. The book is written for a popular audience and is an excellent resource for small groups and book clubs.

This article originally appeared in the October/November/December 2017 edition of Influence magazine.