Endorsements
There is a word in this brand-new book from my friend Chris Sonksen that sums up what every organization must be aware of: Leaderdrift . We see it in churches, nonprofits, companies, big businesses, sports, and every facet where the strength of the team determines the success of the organization. Chris identifies the six subtle behaviors that every leader must be aware of as they strive to keep their team united and aligned. If you apply the principles throughout these pages, you will put yourself and your team in a place of greater health, which in turn will create greater outcomes. I strongly recommend you read this book and let it serve as a potential guide that may save your church and your leadership from itself.
Mark Cole , CEO, The John Maxwell Co.
I have known my good friend Chris Sonksen for many years and am always informed by his keen insights, his strategic solutions, and most of all his heart for the church. Saving Your Church from Itself is no exception. It will clarify, produce insights, and offer pragmatic solutions, all the while giving huge doses of encouragement.
Sam Chand , author, leadership expert, and coach
Chris Sonksens passion to help leaders stay focused on the vision of a church or an organization and to build a healthy leadership team is always evident in the books he writes, and Saving Your Church from Itself is no exception! Chris not only identifies the characteristics that can tear leadership teams, churches, and organizations apart, but he gives practical insight on how to recognize the subtle changes that begin to take place and can lead to dissension. This book is a must-read not only for church leaders but for anyone who is in a position of leadership.
Rich Guerra , SoCal Network superintendent
Chris Sonksen delivers wise and practical insights in his new book, Saving Your Church from Itself . It will help you identify and guard your church from the subtle drifts that can take place in the attitudes and behaviors of individuals who threaten unity, passion, and vision. I know Chris well, and his heart is for church leaders. The content in this book comes from his years of experience and passion for the church. Its a refreshingly candid look at how to strengthen your church before its too late.
Dan Reiland , executive pastor, 12Stone Church, Lawrenceville, GA; author of Confident Leader!
Chris Sonksen provides an honest, vulnerable, and practical guide to both identifying and overcoming the subtle shifts in attitude, behavior, and character that can turn the work of God into Satans playground. Whether you are a lead pastor or part of a ministry team, youll find this book to be helpful to your soul and your ministry.
Larry Osborne , author and pastor, North Coast Church
Author Chris Sonksen offers leaders a practical and insightful guide with Saving Your Church from Itself . Chris smartly warns us that all leaders and teams can drift but then wisely shows us how to spot the signs early so we can make course corrections that prevent tragic outcomes. Reading this book may save your church and your leadership!
Dave Ferguson , lead pastor, Community Christian Church; author of B. L. E. S. S.: 5 Everyday Ways to Love Your Neighbor and Change the World
How we think, speak, and live is tied to the efficacy of our leadership. Chris Sonksen masterfully teaches leaders how to stay the course rather than drift in pride, isolation, and burnout. His practical steps promote collective awareness and are key to developing the true leader within you. Jesus message reached all people; the strategy within this book mirrors that paradigm. No matter what leadership level youre at, this book is for all who are committed to the work God has called you to. Through research and life experience, Chris Sonksen has quickly become a premier thought leader in this area.
Dr. Joseph W . Walker III , senior pastor, Mt. Zion Baptist Church, Nashville, TN
There may be no more timely word than this one for the leadership of the local church of Jesus Christ in a post-pandemic world! Chris has once again stepped into the unspoken that exists on the leadership level of a local church. As a leader who has lived what he writes about, I can attest firsthand that we need this book right now!
Matt Keller , founding and lead pastor, Next Level Church, Fort Myers, FL
Half Title Page
Other Books by Chris Sonksen
When Your Church Feels Stuck
Quit Church
Indispensable Church
Title Page
Copyright Page
2022 by Christopher A. Sonksen
Published by Baker Books
a division of Baker Publishing Group
PO Box 6287, Grand Rapids, MI 49516-6287
www.bakerbooks.com
Ebook edition created 2022
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any meansfor example, electronic, photocopy, recordingwithout the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is on file at the Library of Congress, Washington, DC.
ISBN 978-1-4934-3399-5
Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible , New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations labeled NIV are from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture quotations labeled NKJV are from the New King James Version. Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Published in association with Illuminate Literary Agency, www.illuminateliterary.com.
Some names and details have been changed to protect the privacy of the individuals involved.
Baker Publishing Group publications use paper produced from sustainable forestry practices and post-consumer waste whenever possible.
Dedication
This book is dedicated to my best friend and the one who personally led me to the Lord when I was just a sarcastic fourteen-year-old. Donny Burleson, you saw in me what I couldnt see in myself, and you continue to do that to this day. Every trip to 7-Eleven and every stop at Miguels created thousands of conversations that shaped my life. I am eternally grateful that God allowed our paths to cross and that decades later they are still intertwined. Only eternity will reveal the number of lives you impacted by choosing to invest in a teenager from Home Gardens. I love you with all my heart.
Contents
Endorsements
Half Title Page
Other Books by Chris Sonksen
Title Page
Copyright Page
Dedication
Acknowledgments
1. The Enemys Greatest StrategyLeaderdrift
2. Team Alignment Isnt a Good ThingIts Everything
3. Drifting toward Pride: Things Would Be Better If I Were in Charge
4. Drifting toward Artificial Harmony: Dealing with Conflict before It Becomes Destructive
5. Drifting toward Isolation: How to Know When Someone Is Pulling Back
6. Drifting toward a Critical Spirit: From Critiquing to Criticizing
7. Drifting toward Division: More Than One Vision Always Creates Division
9. If Youre the Leader and You See It
10. If Youre the Team Member and You Feel It
Notes
About the Author
Back Ads
Back Cover
Acknowledgments
I want to acknowledge the following people:
Laura SonksenYou believe in me and cheer louder for me than anyone I know. Whatever I am able to accomplish is only possible because of your loving support. I love you so much!