SELF-AWARE LEADER PB

As a ministry leader, I'm sure you've studied what you think you need to know before entering a ministry career—hermeneutics, homiletics, theology, exegesis, preaching, and more. But how well do you know yourself?

In 'The Self-Aware Leader' Terry Linhart posits that a ministry career must be built upon the right foundation of an objective understanding of self, with a fully explored and comprehended understanding of strengths and weaknesses. The church needs leaders who have the clear-eyed courage to pursue the hardest part of the ministry journey: seeing yourself. By unpacking the most common personal challenges we experience in ministry and offering guided, prayerful reflection to overcome them, Linhart helps leaders develop the self-awareness necessary for authentic and effective Christian ministry leadership.

Serving as a pastor is one of the toughest calls there is. But it can also be one of the most fulfilling and rewarding, especially if you have taken the time to examine both your gifts and vulnerabilities. The Self-Aware Leader will help you to do just that.

'Terry Linhart has delivered a winning exploration of what you need to know about your past, present, and future leadership journey. Those you lead will thank you for reading this book.
--Kara Powell, executive director of the Fuller Youth Institute, coauthor of Growing Young

'Terry takes us on a deep dive into the inner life of a leader, which truly guides all of life and leadership. He is gentle and gracious, yet direct and relentless, to go after the critical areas of a leader's life. If you allow it, this book will be a deep dive into your soul and character that will utterly transform your whole life.'

--April L. Diaz, author and speaker, Slingshot Group associate, director of coaching, The Youth Cartel

'A few ministry leadership tours of duty convinced me that too many otherwise gifted people hit ineffectiveness walls because they were unable (or unwilling) to carefully consider the cracks in their foundations. As Terry Linhart points out, we've all got them. But when we're deluded into thinking that it's more important to give others what we think they want than to give them what we know we can offer, the temptation to 'act the part' gains a foothold in our hearts. This book is written by a friend who has become comfortable in his own skin and wonderfully fruitful as a leader, in part because he is fully committed to staying on the same journey he so carefully describes as necessary for the authentic, self-aware leader.'
--Dave Rahn, senior ministry advisor, Youth for Christ USA

'I've been waiting for Terry to write this book ever since I first heard him talk about it. It's overdue! It's a must-read for every leader. I will highly recommend it to anyone who desires to be a healthy leader.'
--Doug Fields, veteran youth pastor, bestselling author, cofounder, Downloadyouthministry.com

About the Author
For over twenty-five years, Terry has led and taught about topics related to Christian ministry and organizational oversight. His youth ministry experience includes eight years in parachurch ministry with Youth for Christ and seven years as youth pastor at Hope Missionary Church in Bluffton, Indiana. He has taught at Asbury Theological Seminary, North Park University, Huntington College, Taylor University, and Alliance Graduate School in Quezon City, Philippines. He and his wife Kelly live near South Bend, Indiana, and they have three grown children.

Book review by GLO General Director, Dr. Stephen McQuoid 11/09/2017
I picked this book off the bookshelf because the title intrigued me. All leaders have their blind spots (weaknesses that can affect their ministry) which they often don’t acknowledge, either because they don’t want to admit to them or because they simply don’t know they exist. Linhart is a professor at Bethel College with a wealth of ministry experience behind him, so is the ideal person to write a book such as this. He deals with areas such as past hurts, temptations, pressures, conflicts and emotions, all of which have a bearing on our ministries and our performance as Christian leaders. Each chapter contains both biblical insights as well as very down to earth guidance as to how we assess ourselves and also try and correct our mistakes. It is a very easy to read book (sometimes too easy) and filled with practical tips on how to make progress. We all have our weaknesses as leaders and as this book offers some simple guidance, self-correction and development, I would recommend it to anyone in any sort of leadership position.

Paperback: 181 pages
Publisher: Inter-Varsity Press,US (7 Mar. 2017)