Guided by Grace Author:Paul Chappell Our culture promotes a wide variety of leadership philosophies. Even in ministry, you will find a great diversity among leadership models. Some believe leaders must be "authoritative." Some believe leaders must be "driven" or "dogmatic." Many leaders fear competition, so they stifle input. Some leaders are insecure, so they avoid confrontatio... more »n. Some leaders are self-centered, so they have everything "their way." Some leaders fear rejection, so they accommodate compromise. Other leaders harbor envy, so they attack good men. God?s work requires a different kind of leadership. God?s people need love. They need nurture. They need transparent leaders who will mentor them, equip them, and serve with them ? shoulder to shoulder. People without Christ need Christian leaders who will be genuine with them. They need to hear the Gospel from the heart and then see it lived out in sincerity. This book flows from the heart of a pastor who has learned and is still learning some tough lessons on leadership. These Biblical principles have formed the philocophy that has driven the growth and spiritual development of one of America?s largest independent Baptist chuches. In fourteen years Lancaster Baptist Church has grown from a handful of faithful attendees to over 3,000 weekly. Thousands of people have trusted Christ and have been nurtured in their faith. The spirit of the church is dynamic yet compassionate and evangelistic. There has never been a growth goal. There has never been an attendance contest. So how has it happened? Simply, God has done it. He has blessed in a way that no one could have anticipated. Why did He choose to bless this way? Because the philosophy of leadership was "to serve." God blesses those who focus on serving ? living out the life of Christ before others. Our world and our churches are crying out for this kind of Christ-like leadership. Those who have turned a deaf ear to the Gospel could soften their hearts in the light of this kind of leadership. Those who have become disillusioned with "religion" could come to Christ when embraced with the reality of transparent love. If your heart yearns to lead the way Jesus did, read this book, live its principles and pass them on to others. Your ministry will never be the same!« less