Please use the following format in preparing 4-MAT Book Reviews:
- ABSTRACT. Summarize what you have read, boiling the book down into 400-600 words (no more than
2 pages). Prove you comprehend the readings by writing a no-nonsense summary. The abstract is not a
commentary or listing of topics but rather an objective summary from the reader’s viewpoint. Abstract
equals �boiled down.� This section should include a minimum of 2 footnotes to the text being reviewed.
2
- Dr. J. Robert Clinton, The Making of a Leader: Recognizing the Lessons and Stages of Leadership Development,
2nd ed. (Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress, 2012), 253. - Ibid., 37.
- Ibid., 67.
- Ibid.
The Making of a Leader: Recognizing the Lessons and Stages of Leadership Development
The review is based on Clinton and David’s, The Making of a leader: Recognizing the
Lessons and Stages of Leadership and Development. In this book, he asserts that leaders
(including those who are in the process of being leaders) require a spiritual roadmap so that God
can guide them as they seek to develop their leadership gifts. The Christian leaders should allow
themselves to be guided by the Holy Spirit so that they lead correctly. According to the bible,
God is responsible for guiding man in the right path. I tend to conquer with the statement that
“God develops leader overtime.” The author of this book has incorporated the study of various
leaders. A baseline of six phases has been chosen by Clinton to develop a common course of a
leader’s life. The significant parts of leader’s growth entail the growing stages. The six stages
entail Godly foundations, Growth of inner life, maturing of the ministry, life maturing,
convergence, and afterglow. These stages should be recognized enables leaders to the growth
improvements as well as spelling out the trainings and visions.
When a leader is equipped with these outlines, he possesses the skills of finding and
creating leadership, character, values, vision, and relational skills. Clinton asserts that the
greatest challenge of leaders is the development of a godly character. It is essential for a leader to
possess character since they are the representatives of God Himself. The author points out four
processes are used by God to carry out an assessment of the characters of an upcoming leader.
They include a check for integrity, check for obedience, and check for the word and ministry
task. The character of a person is defined by who they really are it is of importance that a leader
shows a good image to the world. He is like a ‘mirror’ hence should lead by example. Since
3
- Dr. J. Robert Clinton, The Making of a Leader: Recognizing the Lessons and Stages of Leadership Development,
2nd ed. (Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress, 2012), 253. - Ibid., 37.
- Ibid., 67.
- Ibid.
leaders are supposed to follow what God instructs them, they should portray the image of His
characters. They should be oriented in doing everything that pleases Him and look for ways of
being like Him. The author has outlined the necessary tools for a person to be a great leader.
Those tools are the components of the process outlined in the book. According to Clinton, he
does not believe in the born leadership but believes that leadership skills are developed. “In the
long haul, God is preparing you for convergence. He is conforming you to the image of Christ”
(Clinton, 2012, p. 28).
Concrete Response
Clinton states that leadership is “a dynamic process in which a man or woman with God-
given capacity influences a specific group of God’s people toward His purposes for the group.”
The main theme of the book focuses on the current leaders and those who are in the process of
being leaders. It addresses on various perspectives of leaders. As a leader, I have been challenged
in number of ways concerning my leadership skills and how God is preparing me to be a great
leader following his guidelines. The book addresses the leaders who are not certain of God’s call.
When I began my leadership journey, I was wondering whether God is calling them to enter into
Christianity or not. I found dilemma and it was not an easy to choose whether to hear God’s
voice or to ignore it since it thought it might be some weird feelings within me. I also found out
the book touches on the leaders who have begun to find out the opportunities that exist in the
ministry of which I have experienced too. Besides, the issues of leaders who need more new
challenges from the almighty God are also addressed in the book. The book also talks about the
way for leaders who need guidance on the process of selection of leaders and development of
new leaders. It also includes the discussion of issues dealing with those leaders who are at
4
- Dr. J. Robert Clinton, The Making of a Leader: Recognizing the Lessons and Stages of Leadership Development,
2nd ed. (Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress, 2012), 253. - Ibid., 37.
- Ibid., 67.
- Ibid.
crossroads that is, facing challenges of taking major decisions. Leaders who are in need of
knowing their progress level in an attempt to develop their leadership skills. It is because we
leaders might be wondering whether what they are experiencing is normal for leaders
Reflection
So, I must acknowledge that Clinton has written the best book that has enabled me to
think about my leadership strategies. It has also enabled me to find new ways of applying the
skills acquired from the book. Besides, the book outlines the examples that are practical to the
six phases that leaders encounter in their lives. More so, the questions are provided at the end of
each chapter to that helps the readers in analyzing leadership skills.
However, various questions arise from Clinton’s book that concerns leadership. From the
researcher’s point of view, one might ask, “Does Clinton’s framework derived from the study of
biblical leadership or his own analysis that is based on the biblical and historical principles?” in
comparison to the other deities such as the deity of Christ as well as Salvation by grace among
others. It is not easy to come up with an answer concerning what the bible says about leadership
stages. As far as research is concerned, the framework that was offered by Clinton might not
have been analyzed and received a confirmation from an independent quantitative research.
Therefore, as long as the materials in this book makes sense in a way or another, there are might
be some items that challenge the rules.
The bible is the key guideline of Christian leadership and there were excerpts from the
scriptures that are given in the book. However, Dr. Clinton failed to provide examples or plans
that have a basis on the character outlines in the bible. A leader should know what God says
5
- Dr. J. Robert Clinton, The Making of a Leader: Recognizing the Lessons and Stages of Leadership Development,
2nd ed. (Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress, 2012), 253. - Ibid., 37.
- Ibid., 67.
- Ibid.
through the bible for him or her to follow a biblical example. Therefore, Clinton’s research is
okay but its basis should not focus on the end results of the research but on the model of
leadership that was provided by Jesus Christ.
Application
Clinton has contributed greatly in portraying God’s approach of developing a great leader
over time. In my view, it is essential for a leader to have this knowledge. As much as it might be
discouraging when faced with difficult situations, it is also easy to be caught up in the moment.
For one to have a spirit of perseverance on the difficult situation, he must acknowledge the fact
that God is using every circumstance for the benefit of the leader in preparation. It is meant to
ensure that the end result of him is a great leader. Clinton has uniquely contributed to these ideas
in a number of ways. For instance, he has identified a number of ways through which God is
involved in the processes. I have personally gained from this book in two ways. I have
recognized the overall purpose of God. His main purpose is to look for ways of coming up with a
person of character. God is looking for a person whose ministry comes from within but not from
the activity he is engaged in. I have learned from experience and observation that ministering
basing on a person’s skills and gifts that will be awarded as a result, does not have an impact that
it was initially intended.
Therefore, God uses both positive and negative experiences as His tools of aligning the
leadership candidates. The positive tools entail the encouragements and trainings that one gets in
the process of becoming a leader among others. The negatives one are conflicts, isolation,
backlash and crisis among others. It is good to acknowledge that all this happens for the sake of
6
- Dr. J. Robert Clinton, The Making of a Leader: Recognizing the Lessons and Stages of Leadership Development,
2nd ed. (Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress, 2012), 253. - Ibid., 37.
- Ibid., 67.
- Ibid.
appreciating what kind of person you are becoming rather taking a critical consideration of your
reactions.
Secondly, my lesson concerns the development of ministry philosophy. I believe most of
the leaders stop at the first stage. It is a point whereby after adopting the philosophy of the
people around them, they do not go ahead to think and reflect on ways of developing their own.
However, I strongly believe that if one develops his or her unique philosophy of the ministry that
is based on the experiences and convictions that he or she has developed it increases the level of
significance and long term impact. It has been noted that a spiritual and moral authority
accompanies those with this philosophy. The philosophies are built on both their churches and
ministries at large.
7
- Dr. J. Robert Clinton, The Making of a Leader: Recognizing the Lessons and Stages of Leadership Development,
2nd ed. (Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress, 2012), 253. - Ibid., 37.
- Ibid., 67.
- Ibid.
References
Bentley, Wessel. ‘Christian Leadership In The Workplace – Introduction’. Koers 79, no. 2 (2014).
Clarke, Andrew D. A Pauline Theology Of Church Leadership. London: T & T Clark, 2008.
Clinton, J. Robert., Dr. The Making of a Leader: Recognizing the Lessons and Stages of
Leadership Development. 2nd ed. Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress, 2012.
Diggins, Kristene. ‘NP Collaborative Practice And Servant Leadership’. Journal of Christian
Nursing 32, no. 3 (2015): 144.
White, Ellen Gould Harmon. Christian Leadership. Washington, D.C.: Board of Trustees of the
Ellen G. White Estate, 2005.
