4mat Leadership

LIBERTY UNIVERSITY BAPTIST THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY

4MAT Book Review: Practicing Greatness: 7 Disciplines of Extraordinary Spiritual Leaders

Submitted to Dr. David Nemitz

in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the completion of

LEAD 510-D01

Biblical Foundations of Christian Leadership

by

Detria Thomas

November 30, 2015

Abstract

In the book Practicing Greatness: 7 Disciplines of Extraordinary Spiritual Leaders, by Reggie McNeal it examines the need for strong spiritual Christian leaders in today’s society. McNeal looks at the good and bad characteristics of a leader in order to help leaders understand and develop the characteristics needed in one’s own life to be a good leader. McNeal states “we are desperate for great leaders in every sector of our society…..we are even more desperate for great spiritual leaders.” McNeal looks at seven areas which are self-awareness, self management, self development, mission, decision making, belonging, and aloneness in order to help leaders to become great spiritual leaders. McNeal states that “leader’s who have an appropriate view of self (humility), combined with the capacity to help others (service), don’t just show up in the nick of time. They are crafted over time. They practice being great." To help his readers understand McNeal goes into great detail in each section and uses real-life examples for readers to relate to in hopes of giving them a better sense of understanding what a great leader is. Understanding your strengths and weakness are can help a leader grow and improve in their leadership skills. A leader that is aware of who they are as a person, except themselves, and commit to becoming better leaders can develop spiritually, mentally, and educationally to become great leaders. McNeal states “genuinely great spiritual leaders do not do what they do for themselves or even as a way to become recognized as great leaders. For spiritual leaders it is about expanding the kingdom of God. They pursue...