4MAT Book Review-Dempsey, Earley, and McClendon Assignment
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4-MAT Book Review: Dempsey, Earley, and McClendon Assignment
Andrew Pedde
LEAD510-B02 – Biblical Foundations of Leadership
February 3, 2024
Contents
Abstract
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Concrete Response
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Reflection
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Action
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Bibliography
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Abstract
The book, "The Three-Dimensional Leader: A Biblical, Spiritual & Practical Guide to Christian Leadership," proves to be a valuable resource for those seeking spiritual growth, particularly within leadership roles. Chapter 5 emphasizes the significance of aligning with the Holy Spirit before undertaking the responsibility of serving and leading others. The chapter underscores that leadership guided solely by one's efforts, without the leading of the Spirit, lacks a clear and pure motive. Effective spiritual leaders in God's kingdom, the text asserts, must lead from a place of divine calling, personal integrity, spiritual depth, and dependence upon Christ.
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Moving on to Chapter 6, the narrative explores the importance of meditating on Scripture coupled with prayer for spiritual leaders. It emphasizes that a leader's ability to lead others effectively is predicated on their capacity to lead themselves, with the first step being the stewardship of their spiritual health.
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The chapter draws parallels between Christian leaders and Jesus, highlighting the priority Jesus placed on caring for His soul through prayer despite chaotic
circumstances.
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Chapter 7 delves into the concept of advancing God's kingdom and delineates the characteristics of a kingdom-minded leader. It underscores the dichotomy between the kingdom of "light" (God's kingdom) and the kingdom of darkness, emphasizing the need for repentance, humility, and fear before the Lord to enter God's kingdom.
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The text discusses the ongoing pursuit of advancing the Kingdom until Jesus's return and the restoration of His kingdom.
1
Rod Dempsey, Dave Earley, and Adam McClendon, The Three-Dimensional Leader
(Bellingham, WA: Kirkdale Press, 2023), 64.
2
Ibid., 82.
3
Ibid., 83.
4
Ibid., 104.
3
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In Chapter 8, the focus shifts to the approach Christian leaders should adopt in spiritual warfare. The chapter emphasizes the indispensability of being filled and led by the Spirit for effective resistance against the enemy's attacks. Prayer emerges as a focal point in engaging in spiritual warfare, inviting God's power to combat evil spirits and realms.
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Chapter 9 underscores the significance of having a vision for Christian leaders, positioning Christ as the ultimate Leader to follow. The primary vision proposed is aligning with Jesus's commission to make disciples of all nations. Chapter 10 explores goals for disciple-making, emphasizing the importance of biblical community and the pursuit of loving God and others as the greatest commandments.
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Chapter 11 details the planning involved in making disciples, emphasizing the connection of individual members to the head, the body, and subsequently to the mission. Chapter 12 provides insight into training an effective team for God's mission, emphasizing the development of leadership teams one by one, fostering a common vision, effective communication, complementary gifts, and a sense of community to effectively advance the Kingdom.
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Concrete Response
As I delved into this text, my initial reflection turned to the leadership teams I currently observe compared to those I've encountered in the past. Unfortunately, I've witnessed that many churches I attended previously had leaders lacking a strong foundation in faith and were not guided by the Spirit. Having been a churchgoer my whole life, the significance of strong leadership became apparent when I assumed a leadership role in college. While acknowledging 5
Rod Dempsey, Dave Earley, and Adam McClendon, The Three-Dimensional Leader
(Bellingham, WA: Kirkdale Press, 2023), 142.
6
Ibid., 164.
7
Ibid., 201.
4
that no one can meet everyone's needs and perfection is unattainable, I recognized the abundant grace available for each person.
As my faith matured and I actively sought the Lord daily, I became increasingly aware of the prevalence of false teachers and servants. While refraining from passing eternal judgments, I believe it's crucial for Christians to scrutinize the motives and actions of others. I often recall the warning in Matthew 7 where Jesus cautions about false prophets, emphasizing the importance of evaluating the fruits they bear. I realized that individuals may attempt to produce the fruits of the spirit through their efforts, but those led by the Spirit consistently manifest these fruits. Consistency, often overlooked, is a significant factor, exemplified by Jesus as the ultimate role model for Christians due to His unwavering consistency.
In contemplating the beauty of relying on God despite our inherent flaws, I am reminded of the continuous growth in faith and love that God allows, consistently producing the necessary fruits to advance His Kingdom. My prayer extends to all leaders in churches and ministries, recognizing the weight of the responsibility entrusted by God to care for each soul within the flock belonging to Christ. Understanding this responsibility, I strive to uphold the commitment to
pray for leaders, acknowledging our collective duty to tend to the flock with utmost care.
Reflection
One aspect that stood out to me as unaddressed is the significance of leaders having mentors and counselors to provide guidance and speak life into their roles. Many pastors and leaders often serve with the misconception that they can sustain their good work without accountability and constructive critique. This tendency is particularly noticeable among older pastors and leaders who have accumulated more life experience. A common pitfall is their decision to run 5
ministries single-handedly, foregoing assistance, especially in terms of receiving feedback or constructive criticism from spiritually mature individuals.
The issue arises when these leaders become resistant to outside perspectives, fostering arrogance. By isolating themselves and limiting feedback to what they perceive as divine, they neglect the biblical principle of mutual rebuke within the community. Even in godly friendships and relationships, personal growth necessitates an outsider's perspective to identify mistakes. Acknowledging our inherent bias, it's crucial to recognize the objectivity that others can bring to our self-perception.
The authors could have enriched the discussion by incorporating the theme of mentorship, seamlessly integrated into the section on biblical community. This inclusion would have broadened the readers' perspective on communities beyond leaders and congregants, highlighting
the potential for valuable relationships and gifts within these communities. It would open up possibilities for exploring the dynamics between leaders and their trusted mentors, fostering a more comprehensive understanding of the intricate relationships within these communities.
Action
Upon delving into this book, I discovered it served as a gentle call-out for positive change in various aspects of my spiritual life. While I maintain a daily prayer routine and engage with the Bible regularly, I realized that my approach to meditating on the Word lacked intentionality. Often, I would merely skim through passages on my Bible app without delving into research or engaging in deep prayer about the content. As I pursue my biblical studies in seminary, I aspire to enhance my personal engagement with the Scriptures outside the academic and church settings.
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Recognizing the paramount importance of my private devotion to God, I acknowledge its role
as a foundational asset for spiritual growth and effective Kingdom advancement. I've decided to shift from reading on my phone to using a physical Bible, finding a significant difference in the weight and impact of my reading experience. Physically highlighting, underlining, and taking notes contribute to better retention and understanding of the Scriptures. Despite life's busyness or
unexpected hardships, I am committed to not allowing these factors to serve as excuses, understanding that the enemy actively seeks to exploit such vulnerabilities.
Another spiritual discipline I'm actively incorporating is intentional engagement with my church community. Having attended my current church for just over a year, I am grateful for the grace that led me to a spiritual family with whom I can grow and share life. Serving alongside believers committed to honoring God, even in challenging seasons, reveals the beauty of a community aligned in purpose. The richness of spiritually yoking with fellow sisters becomes evident in our conversations, characterized by life-affirming words. Reflecting on my journey before finding this community, I encountered struggles in connecting with individuals deeply rooted in Christ. Many were inconsistent in their faith, easily swayed by inconveniences or discomfort. The process of seeking and patiently waiting in prayer led me to the community I cherish today. Grateful for this, I am determined not to take it for granted. To avoid complacency, I challenge myself to reach out to those God has placed on my heart and continue praying for those with whom I may not have close relations, recognizing the intrinsic value of every soul.
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Bibliography
Dempsey, Rod, Dave Earley, and Adam McClendon. The Three-Dimensional Leader
. Bellingham, WA: Kirkdale Press, 2023.
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