POWERFUL LEADERS PB

As understanding and awareness of abuse has grown, many revelations of church leaders abusing their power have come to light. How did the church get here? Is there a way we can address both individual and institutional failings to counter the misuse of power and, more importantly, prevent it in first place?

'Powerful Leaders?' exposes and explores how leaders are tempted away from a biblical model of leadership into illegitimate - and in the worst cases abusive - use of authority and power. Director of Living Leadership, a charity that focuses on healthy leadership and church culture, Marcus Honeysett traces how leaders move along a spectrum of healthy to unhealthy uses of power and position and offers practical wisdom for countering and preventing harmful leadership.

Drawing on his years of experience in the local church and working with leaders and congregations, Honeysett unpacks how to spot danger signs of abuse in the church and provides advice on what to do if you see or are under unhealthy leadership. He also explores why people don’t blow the whistle and encourages critical self-examination in existing leaders to ensure they maintain a healthy use of power – and offers guidance to help leaders improve their skills and move back towards healthy, biblically-based leadership.

For anyone concerned about improving safeguarding in the church, 'Powerful Leaders?' will prove a valuable resource. It challenges and equips both those in leadership and those in a position to hold leaders accountable, and will empower them to take the necessary steps forward to create healthier church cultures in which everyone can thrive.

As reviewed by Stephen McQuoid, GLO Europe General Director

"The issue of leadership is a crucial one and someone who knows a great deal about the subject is Marcus Honeysett, director of Living Leadership. His latest work Powerful Leaders, takes a closer look at instances when church leadership goes wrong and what to do about it. The book is divided into three sections. The first examines the biblical basis for healthy leadership. This is followed by the second section entitled the ‘Slippery Slope’. Here Honeysett looks at how and why legitimate uses of power can change and become illegitimate, self-serving and abusive. This section is helpfully amplified with real stories which, Marcus assures me, find their origin in actual accounts that he has encountered and dealt with over his many years of ministry. The third section, entitled ‘What Next’, is perhaps the most intriguing. Here Marcus looks at the way ahead for survivors, whistle-blowers, leaders and churches when things have gone wrong.

There is much to commend in this book. It is written by someone who has a great commitment to church, and also a real pastoral heart, not just for congregations, but particularly for church leaders whose ministry is often demanding and pressurised. The result is a book that is honest and realistic, practical and compassionate. Given the many challenges that leaders face and the many scandals that have become public knowledge, this is a book that should be read by church leaders as well as concerned members of congregations."

Product Details:
ISBN: 9781789743227
Format: Paperback
Pages: 176
Publisher: IVP