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Practical, sensitive servant leadership

Dwayne Barkman

Servant Leadership for Church Renewal: Shepherds by the Living Springs
David S. Young. Waterloo, Ont. & Scottdale, Pa.: Herald Press, 1999. 176 pp. $19.29.

By plumbing the depth of three major scriptural texts, Young challenges us with who we are “to be” as leaders and then goes on to talk about church renewal and what we are to do as leaders. His whole premise is that when we hear the call to be servant leaders, the church will be set up for renewal. He writes, “People, like sheep, do better when handled gently and with respect.”

Drawing upon his experience as a pastor and an influencer of pastors, he offers a biblically-based perspective on the meaning and importance of servant leadership. He seeks to bring us to our knees in service and then seeks to bring us to our feet for inspired leadership, setting churches on the road to renewal. He includes three practical chapters on servant structures, handling hardships and organizing for renewal. He also includes a number of worksheets to help us get started with ministry application. His imagery of water helps us understand the book. Water that we use to wash other people’s feet is also what brings renewal.

With this book, Young has put a useful resource in the hands of leaders. He is clearly influenced by an anabaptist believers church theological background. His anabaptist approach to servant leadership is given in a practical, sensitive way. What he offers applies to any congregation regardless of size or setting, and should prove to be a useful resource for pastors, lay leaders and apprentices trying to figure out who they are to be and what they are to do as servant leaders in ministry.

Dwayne Barkman is senior pastor of West Portal MB Church in Saskatoon.

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Last modified August 12, 2000.

© 2000 Mennonite Brethren Herald.
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