ENDORSEMENTS
A desperately needed perspective on the nature of Christian leadership. Kirlin articulates well the need for courage that is deeply rooted in ones identity in Christ. This courage causes us to lead both passionately and boldly. Leadership Courage is a must read for current pastors and those who are feeling a call to the ministry.
Rev. Dr. Dana S. Allin, Synod Executive ECO: A Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians, Goleta, CA
Kirk Kirlin loves the church and its pastors. And because of this love, he grieves over the state of the church. Having lost its distinctiveness, having compromised and capitulated to the culture around it, having lost its call to be salt and light, he passionately summons pastors back to courageous leadership. Through nine powerful leadership distinctives, Kirk shows pastors how they can lead with courage, conviction and compassion, helping restore the churchs distinctiveness and impact both in the lives of individual members and the community. Leadership Courage is an empowering book that will help pastors tremendously. I hope it is read widely.
Jim Belcher, President Providence Christian College, Pasadena, CA and author of Deep Church and In Search of Deep Faith
What is courage? Is it fearlessness? No. Its being scared out of your wits and going ahead anyway. In his new book, Leadership Courage , coach and consultant Kirk Kirlin has penned the powerful, life-giving words every leader needs to read, reread, and read again, so they too can find the means to prevail when they want to give up, continue when they want to quit, and move forward when theyd rather stay right where they are.
Forged in the crucible of experience of multiple leadership capacities and coaching leaders of all kinds in many different fields, Kirk helps his readers face their fears, overcome their obstacles and summon the fortitude they need to no longer be held captive to those things which paralyze their actions.
Kirks experience shines through every page of this thoughtful, well organized, and catalyzing resource with biblical insights, practical applications, and real-world illustrations. Importantly, he continuously points to the source of real couragetotal surrender to the Captain of Our Souls, Jesus Christ.
Eminently readable, utterly practical, and immediately implementable this book will become one of your go to, dog-eared, underlined and post it noted resources. Leadership Courage needs to be in the hands of everyone wanting to make a difference in their world today.
Tom Clegg, President and Founder, The Clegg Consulting Group and author of Lost in America, Missing in America ,
and Releasing your Churchs Potential
In a day where leadership has become a pecking order it is refreshing to see a work about leaders finding their unique Jesus style and creating synergy, partnership and movement within the mission of God. Kirk Kirlin has nailed the latter and you are the beneficiary.
Kirk has seen it all and now uses those observations to help us develop a 360 o view of leadership on mission instead of leadership as vocation. Read Leadership Courage , reflect, and then replace anything unnecessary with the necessity of the Jesus style.
Alan Hirsch, missiologist, futurist, and author of 5Q: Reactivating the Original Intelligence and Capacity of the Body of Christ and The Forgotten Ways ; co-author of The Shaping of Things to Come , Alan is founder of 5Q Collective and Forge
Kirk Kirlin brings decades of experience in the trenches of the North American church to Leadership Courage . Provocative. Prophetic. Powerful. The book is a clarion call to step up and further in for those committed to serious leadership, which is the crisis of the age in which we live.
Dont immerse yourself in these pages unless you are willing to be stretched and uncomfortable. This is not a volume for those who want inspirational pablum, rather for those who are deeply serious about leadership and North American Christianity.
Sam Metcalf, President of Novo Mission and author of Beyond the Local Church: How Apostolic Movements Can Change the World
A learner does not have to search very long to find books, articles, and blogs on the topic of leadership. There seems to be no question about the importance of leadership to every organization. It is vital for organizations to achieve success and to fulfill their mission. The courage part of leadership is not a common topic, but Kirk Kirlin personally knows the value of courageous leadership.
When Kirk first published the content of this book in weekly blogs it was imperative for me to save the blogs and share them with pastors and leaders who were in need. The blog postings were a starting point. Now with the publishing of Leadership Courage everyone can benefit from the importance, encouragement and challenge of being a courageous leader.
This book will change the culture of your organization and point you in the needed direction to be effective and faithful to your mission. As you read you will begin to apply the principles in your area of responsibility, and others will benefit.
Gary Norton, Facilitator for Revitalization Pacific Southwest District, The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod
Leadership Courage is both relevant and cutting edge. It is well written, captivating, and challenging. It constantly gets to the heart of pastoral ministry and calls leaders to engage with their pioneers to reach the community with the love of Christ through service. Jesus church needs missional leaders willing to take the church out of the comfort zones of self-interest into the space of spending ourselves for the cause of Christ.
Leadership Courage calls pastors and leaders back to the mission of Jesus in a way I havent seen in any other book. Written as a coaching tool, a pastor and his or her team can use it to make changes in the way their church operates.
Get this book into the hands of your colleagues and church members as quickly as you can.
Pastor Neil Thompson, Ministerial Association Secretary
North New South Wales Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Australia
Leadership Courage begins with Kirk Kirlin telling his pastoral story. From naive upstart to wounded warrior to fearful functionary and finally to the courageous leadership that comes from rediscovering our worth in Christ.
Did the first stages in his story sound familiar to you? They did for me. They resonate with more pastors than wed like to admit even to ourselves.
If youve ever been hurt while trying to be faithful in church leadership, if you feel stuck in fear, helplessness, or hopelessness, unsure of how to become the courageous leader you were meant to be, I recommend Leadership Courage to you. Filled with practical, biblical principles, it can help you rediscover the biblical courage you and your congregation need and your heart has been longing for.
Karl Vaters, Pastor and author of The Grasshopper Myth , Small Church Essentials , and 100 Days to a Healthier Church . Helping Small Churches Thrive at KarlVaters.com
Oh, how I wish this book had been around when I was beginning pastoral ministry twenty-five years ago! Kirk Kirlins bracing, inspiring challenge to church leaders to move forward in the face of fear hits us where we live.
With short, readable chapters so refreshingly honest about what it means to lead, and yet filled with faith in Gods ability to equip us, Leadership Courage is great for someone just entering the ministry, or as a mid-course renewal for a leader who is discouraged or complacent.
Dr. Jeff Berger, Senior Pastor, First Baptist, Conroe, TX
Author of Finding Jesus
I have known Kirk Kirlin as a friend, coach, and mentor since 2003. Leadership Courage is the essence of who he is. This book is not leadership theory but rather a raw challenge to the status quo for all who serve in church leadership at any level.
