Larry W. Osborne, The Unity Factor: Developing a Healthy Church Leadership Team. Owl’s Nest, 2001.
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LifeandLeadership.com Summary
For all practical purposes, this volume was replaced by Osborne’s Sticky Teams, but readers may benefit from both volumes. It incorporates most of the best practices of teamwork, but does so through the journal/narrative of Osborne’s situation at North Coast Church. Many who read this book praise it as one of the best practical resources on the subject.
This text reflects church growth assumptions and best fits pastor-led environments, but ministers from other backgrounds will be able to identify with Osborne’s quest for solutions on issues like clarifying the pastor’s role, equipping shepherds, working with boards, facilitating change, etc. It is a quick read with valuable wisdom.
A few chapters stand out. Section two, “Training,” is quite good on board/elder development. His chapter on “Creating Successful Performance Reviews” is an excellent practical guide to a self-initiated review process. I have often argued that ministers know best how to evaluate their work, and Osborne lays out a responsible collaborative process for getting that done. Another chapter on “Negotiating a Fair Salary” is great for established ministers who need a salary adjustment. He offers a process that has two major goals: 1) to produce a fair salary, and 2) to avoid any hint of an adversarial relationship with the board.
From the Publisher
It’s No Secret Serving on a church board can be a tough assignment. Marathon business meetings and petty squabbling can quickly take a toll. But lay leaders aren’t the only ones who find board meetings to be a harrowing experience. So do many pastors. Larry Osborne was no exception.
Six months into a new pastorate, he found himself embroiled in controversy. Old members left as fast as new ones could be added. He and the board seldom saw eye to eye on anything. Troubled and confused, he set out to find some answers. What were the secrets of an effective leadership team? Could a pastor lead without becoming a dictator? What would it take to develop and maintain a unified board? Could it even be done? Now, many years, board meetings and hours of research later, Pastor Osborne applies tested, no-nonsense wisdom to these and other questions.
Whatever your situation…whether your church is in a start-up phase, is small and struggling, or is one of a growing number of so-called mega churches, Larry has been there. As the senior pastor of North Coast Church, he’s walked his congregation and board through each stage. Now, in The Unity Factor, he shows us what it takes to develop a healthy leadership team with sensible strategies and warm encouragement. Now with an additional bonus chapter “What Game Are We Playing?”
About the Author
Larry Osborne is one of America’s most innovative pastors. Under his leadership, North Coast Church has grown from 128 to over 6,500 and has been recognized nationally as one of the Ten Most Influential Churches in America. His expertise in building healthy teams, guiding leaders through organizational change and developing and maintaining a long-term culture of innovation and creativity has made him an influential and highly requested leader at the national level.
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