One of the best parts of getting a PhD in Leadership was being required to read widely on the subject.

If stranded on a desert island and given only one book from which to teach leadership, I would choose a lesser-known book called Reframing Organizations: Artistry, Choice and Leadership by Lee Bolman and Terrance Deal.

Leadership is a learned skill. Much of the learning takes place experientially, but books can also provide valuable learning. Since reading Steven B. Sample's The Contrarian's Guide to Leadership, "Work for Those Who Work For You" (Chapter 8)  has become a guiding leadership principle for me. More than 20 years after first encountering Sample’s work, I still have 2 green sticky notes marking pages in that chapter. On one, I wrote ”service” and on the other “access.” They are reminders that help me even today.

As Western Christians, we often begin discipleship by teaching specific content—going through a book and attempting to teach or learn factual concepts. But have we missed the mark? Do you use these two key elements of discipleship in your ministry?

You know the old adage, 80 percent of the work is done by 20 percent of the people. Honestly, sometimes that even feels generous. Those of us who have pastored churches know the feeling. There always seems to be more to get done than people willing to do it.