Dave Kraft - Mistakes Leaders Make

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As I speak and consult with all types of leaders around the world, I personally encounter these mistakes time and time again. The lessons in Mistakes Leaders Make are timeless, and this book should be required reading for every ministry leader. Keep it on your desk and read it at least once a year.

Patrick Lencioni, President, The Table Group; best-selling author, The Five Dysfunctions of a Team and The Advantage

Far too often among those with strong theological conviction the idea of leadership is filed under the banner of pragmatism and discarded instead of studied. I am grateful for men like Dave Kraft who hold strong biblical beliefs and still are deeply tapped into the leadership principles that are both biblical and essential for those who have been called to lead and shepherd the people of God as undershepherds. You can make these mistakes yourself or you can learn from those who have made the mistakes and avoid spilling your own blood.

Matt Chandler , Lead Pastor, The Village Church; President, Acts 29 Church Planting Network; author, The Explicit Gospel

Some of our most teachable moments come when we have made a mistake. When we blow it, we are hopefully most vulnerable, most exposed, most humbled, and most teachable. Coach Dave Kraft has devoted his life to helping ministry leaders fully live out their calling and to finish well. Learn from his insights and experiences as you dive into this gem, Mistakes Leaders Make . It could provide you with some of the great learning without having to suffer the pain.

Daniel Harkavy, CEO, Building Champions; Founder, Ministry Coaching International; author, Becoming a Coaching Leader

In Mistakes Leaders Make , Dave Kraft tackles the difficult problem at the center of many leadership tangles: the unsettling fact that many leaders dont want to admit that they make mistakes, or at least not serious ones. This book addresses some basic mistakes on a basic level. A lot of leadership teams would profit by reading this together.

Douglas Wilson, Senior Minister, Christ Church, Moscow, Idaho

Leaders are born, not made... not necessarily. Individuals are placed in leadership and, unfortunately, often learn from their mistakes on-the-job. Some would say that experience is knowing youre making the same mistakes again! Allow me to encourage you to read this book so you dont have to learn every lesson the hard way.

Les Steckel, Veteran NFL Coach; Colonel USMCR (Ret.); President, Fellowship of Christian Athletes

Dave Krafts heart and passion definitely come out in this book! Its not just a read for your mind, but also your heart. Mistakes Leaders Make is not just for American leaders, but for leaders all over the world. It doesnt matter if you are a leader in New York or a leader in a village in a Third World country; the principles that have been written here span all times and cultures. I strongly recommend that this book should be translated into as many languages as possible so that many global leaders can benefit. All leaders either commit these mistakes or are tempted to. As they say, Prevention is better than a cure. By reading this book, young leaders can be prepared to face these challenges and prevent themselves from falling into these same mistakes. If you lead, no matter how or where, this book is a must read!

Ajai Livingstone Lall, Founder and CEO; Central India Christian Mission; Damoh, India

Dave Kraft has given leaders a wonderful checklist of key pitfalls that can sneak up on you and destroy your leadership. Go through each area carefully and evaluate which mistake could be a stumbling block for you. Then follow the action steps that can help you walk forward in the leadership that God has called you to. This is a valuable tool for leaders in churches and ministries.

Dennis Blevins, United States Director, Church Discipleship Ministry (A Ministry of The Navigators), Professional Coach

OTHER CROSSWAY BOOKS IN THE RE:LIT SERIES

The Explicit Gospel , Matt Chandler with Jared C. Wilson (2012)

Gospel-Centered Discipleship , Jonathan K. Dodson (2012)

Rid of My Disgrace: Hope and Healing for Victims of Sexual Assault , Justin and Lindsey Holcomb (2011)

Redemption: Freed by Jesus from the Idols We Worship and the Wounds We Carry , Mike Wilkerson (2011)

A Meal with Jesus: Discovering Grace, Community, and Mission around the Table , Tim Chester (2011)

Note to Self: The Discipline of Preaching to Yourself , Joe Thorn (2011)

Community: Taking Your Small Group Off Life Support , Brad House (2011)

Disciple: Getting Your Identity from Jesus , Bill Clem (2011)

Church Planter: The Man, the Message, the Mission , Darrin Patrick (2010)

Doctrine: What Christians Should Believe , Mark Driscoll and Gerry Breshears (2010)

Scandalous: The Cross and Resurrection of Jesus , D. A. Carson (2010)

Leaders Who Last , Dave Kraft (2010)

Vintage Church: Timeless Truths and Timely Methods , Mark Driscoll and Gerry Breshears (2009)

Religion Saves: And Nine Other Misconceptions , Mark Driscoll and Gerry Breshears (2009)

Total Church: A Radical Reshaping around Gospel and Community , Tim Chester and Steve Timmis (2008)

Vintage Jesus (trade paperback edition), Mark Driscoll and Gerry Breshears (2008)

Death by Love: Letters from the Cross , Mark Driscoll and Gerry Breshears (2008)

Mistakes Leaders Make

Copyright 2012 by Dave Kraft

Published by Crossway
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All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publisher, except as provided for by USA copyright law.

Page 21: THE WHEEL ILLUSTRATION, 1976 by The Navigators. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO (www.navpress.com). All rights reserved.

Cover design: Patrick Mahoney and Matt Naylor

First printing 2012

Printed in the United States of America

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