Scott Rodin: The Steward Leader
In the final section, Rodin lays out four trajectories for the godly steward to take in order to be transformed into a steward leader. He juxtaposes his model of the steward leader against secular and faith-based leadership theories, which Rodin claims tend toward techniques for doing leadership. Thus, he is careful to state that these trajectories serve to show us “where each may lead us if we are true to our calling as steward leaders.”[v] He is also clear to state that although the journey is God’s work in and through each of us, the journey is unique to each individual, and what we learn and where we end up may not look the same for every individual. Put differently, the transformations we experience may follow specific paths (trajectories) in the life of the people and organizations we lead, but the transformations that occur are unique to each leader and organization.
After each section Rodin offers the reader an opportunity to reflect on the previous chapters’ content to think things through and discern ways to implement the suggestions. The chief strength of the book is the consistent focus throughout on leading in freedom as steward leaders who serve God in joyful obedience. The book will challenge your understanding of your relationship with God. It will challenge you to reconsider how you interact with your neighbor and organization’s members, so that you do not treat others as a means to an end. The book will challenge you to reconsider how you view God’s creation and your role in it. Finally, it will challenge you to live out your life in joyful obedience to God as a steward leader.
Reviewed by Michelle Vondey
Notes
[i] R. Scott Rodin, The Steward Leader (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2010), 15.
[ii] Ibid., 33.
[iii] Ibid., 47.
[iv] Ibid., 55.
[v] Ibid., 92.
Publisher’s page: http://www.ivpress.com/cgi-ivpress/book.pl/code=3878
Category: Ministry, Summer 2015
Followers
Fans
