Life Giving Leader: Learning to Lead from Your Truest Self is a book that I received as part of the WaterBrook and Multnomah Launch Team. #PRHPartner My review of this book is written from my honest impression. The link at the bottom to purchase your copy is part of the Amazon Affiliates program and it will not cost any additional fees to purchase through this link. Thank you for supporting this site.
Life is sourced from our Heavenly Father. Not just the biological mechanics for being alive but the inner ability to sustain life through all of our trials and tribulations.
Becoming A Leader
A leader is basically someone who shows another the way in which they should go. Notably, there is a difference in being a bad leader, a good-enough leader, and a life-giving leader.
As I began this ministry, I started it with the intention that I would help to lead women through all of the trials they may endure in their lives as they tried to heal from past traumas and detrimental relationships. I went to school to learn more about the different types of crises with which people deal. I learned about how to counsel those who had survived some of the darkest times of their lives, reminding them that God still has a purpose for their life.
I’ve been humble enough to admit my weaknesses, knowing that I’ve had to fight the spirit of being judgmental when helping women to overcome their struggles.
Because of my personal history, I’ve been transparent in using my past mistakes and heartaches to help women to know that it’s still beneficial for us to rely of God. To grow in our relationship with Christ. I’ve been able to give advice and guidance to women who wanted and needed this from me.
But I often wondered where, if anywhere, have I gone wrong in this work that God has placed on my heart?
Falling Leaders
I picked up my copy of The Life Giving Leader: Learning to Lead from Your Truest Self. Right at the beginning of the book, Reagin reminded me that “the way you lead is mission-critical…because as a leader, you represent something bigger than yourself.”
One thing that I’ve noticed in other leaders is that they often forget…or ignore…the fact that, in their position, they are representing something more than themselves. I see it in Leaders Gone Wild, succumbing to the temptations that come with being in a position of power and influence. As Reagin reiterates, what we do in positions of leadership affects people’s lives and their faith. In theory, that shouldn’t be the case. In reality, we look up to our spiritual leaders for guidance. We look to them to help us see the path that God had placed before us. It’s a position of honor and power, but also one of incredible responsibility.
Think it’s not that big of a deal?
As much as I have grown in my faith, there was a time that I wasn’t as resilient. After being subjected to years of inappropriate sexual advances from ministry leaders, I walked away from the church. Completely turned my back on God because if this was how His leaders behaved, then I wanted nothing to do with it. Or with Him.
I eventually realized that I couldn’t let their sins separated me from God, but it took years before I was even willing to step foot inside of a church again. And I consider myself to be a strong Christian. Imagine the devastation that behavior like this has on Christians who are weaker in their faith and looking for sincere guidance.
Becoming a Life-Giving Leader
Reagin’s book dives deeply into the awesome responsibility that we have in leading the flock. The adage “Do as I say, not as I do…” doesn’t necessarily apply when you’re a Christian leader. The people who we lead will certainly listen to what we say, but more importantly, they will watch what we do. As leaders, our actions have Kingdom implications.
To give life to those we lead, we have to make sure we have received life from the One we follow. It’s not emotionally or spiritually possible to be a life-giving leader if we’re not anchored in to the One who gives life to us all. “For with You is the fountain of life; In Your light we see light.” Psalm 36:9 NASB
In looking inward, we have to learn how to love ourselves and how to embrace our sincere uniqueness. Another point that hit close to home for me was the statement that “When you don’t lead from your true self, you are blocked from serving others to your fullest potential.” Even at this stage of my life, it’s easy to get distracted by the enemy telling me that I need to follow what others are doing and that I don’t have a voice of my own. People with that mentality aren’t going to be able to give life to those who follow them. I can’t breathe life into the women with whom I work if I’m worried about what every else is doing. God didn’t give me their ministry.
Reagin also identified 4 core behaviors that life-giving leader will possess:
- They will serve selflessly.
- They will serve sacrificially.
- They will surrender to service in the will of God.
- They will answer the call to serve others.
Being able to cultivate these behaviors is something that we all need to master when we intend to give back to those we lead. The fundamental requirement of being a life-giving leader is knowing who you are and Whose you are. Without that knowledge ingrained in you, you’re leading blindly and potentially putting stumbling blocks in the path of those who follow you.
Book Review
The Life Giving Leader is an incredibly honest and convicting book. It takes a deep and thorough look into what it takes to be the kind of leader who gives life to the world. It’s certainly a must-read for every Christian who is in any leadership position. Whether you’re a leader in the church or in an office setting, it’s important to understand how the Kingdom should influence your interactions with those who follow your example.
Book title: The Life Giving Leader: Learning to Lead from Your Truest Self
Author: Tyler Reagin
Book Info: Paperback
Content Length: 180 pages {187 pages in entirety}
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