Jeff Iorg, The Painful Side of Leadership: Moving Forward Even When It Hurts. B and H Books, 2009.
Referenced in: Strengthening and Renewing the Ministry Call
LifeandLeadership.com Summary
This is not a book on conflict, change, or ministerial burnout specifically. Instead, it is a collection of hard-earned pastoral wisdom on how to deal with the difficult and painful aspects of pastoral leadership. Iorg is a seminary president who writes out of his vast exposure to the circumstances faced by ministers. Although generic in nature, it is full of insight, and would be a good text for young ministers in training, or even for seasoned practitioners who need to rove minds with another experienced minister about how to handle a difficult set of circumstances.
He begins by discussing the reality of sin and the various ways it is expressed in churches. He then offers specific problem areas that are a part of any leadership experience. Before that, however, he offers a set of general strategies for leading through difficult times. He then takes on specific circumstances such as dealing with disappointment, resolving mistakes, coping with loneliness, and living in the spotlight. The next section looks at painful relationships, including understanding and handling criticism, managing followers in conflict, and terminating someone from a ministry team. The last section discusses painful choices such as taking a courageous stand, leading a significant change, modeling a challenging commitment, and moving to a new position. The final chapter develops the theme of hope as gift of God to hurting leaders.
From the Publisher
Christian leadership is often likened to the peaceful image of a shepherd leading his sheep. But the truth is that sheep tend to wander toward trouble, and shepherds don’t always handle the challenges of their job with grace and ease.
The Painful Side of Leadership encourages and equips Christian leaders with biblical insights to better manage painful ministry circumstances, relationships, and choices. Author and seminary president Jeff Iorg writes candidly throughout to those who may feel beaten up by their mistakes, their critics, or having to make unpopular decisions. His insights are framed with chapters about why painful things happen to Christian leaders in the first place and the hope that God always provides when a leader is hurting.
About the Author
Jeff Iorg is president and chairman of the faculty at Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary. He holds degrees from Hardin-Simmons University, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Iorg and his wife Ann have three children and live in Mill Valley, California.
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