Systems-Sensitive Leadership: Empowering Diversity Without Polarizing the Church

Rating:
Summary: Insightful and practical model for understanding the church
Review: "System Sensitive Leadership" uses a model that helps identify the "thinking systems" that determine values within communities. It is the thesis of these authors that leaders of religious communities (congregations) can learn utilize these "thinking systems" to embrace diversity without creating polarization. This book is offers credible theory and great practical application. I recommend it for pastors, seminary faculty, and leaders in the church. It could be of equal benefit for those who lead non-profit organizations.

Rating:
Summary: A glimpse of the mind
Review: This book provides an excellent owerview of how and why people think and react the way that they do. After reading this book I could better view my own thought process and how to relate to others in a more non-threatening manner. When you understand how a person will react to a given situation you can take the necessiary steps to ease the situation for that person. This book gives you the insight to be able to do that.

Rating:
Summary: Essential reading for evangelical/fundamentalist leaders
Review: To say that the church lives in an age of rapid change and increasing complexity defines "understatement." This book deals with how the church comes to terms with the changing ways that its congregation, formerly homogenous in their outlook on dealing with life's challenges, now views the world, the church, their role in the church and themselves as individuals.

While the subtitle raises warning signs to those taught to mistrust "liberalism" and "political correctness" (by use of the word "diversity" for those of you not so indoctrinated), when taken as a whole the book offers a biblically-sound methodology for evaluating the dominant "thinking system" within a church (or any organization) and within individuals, then prescribes ways that the church can respond by re-structuring programs, facilities, and ministries to reach and serve people in meaningful ways. That is, ways that are consistent with their thinking system.

If you feel trapped in a church that teaches rules and regulations without answering your "why?" questions; if you feel uneasy about changing styles of Christian music and worship; if you're uncomfortable in a setting where group leaders encourage you to share your feelings about what the Bible says (instead of just telling you what it says); or if you are leading a church through these questions, this book has much to offer. It will at least help you see why good people can differ so much on what the "right" form of worship and Christian service amounts to