The Steward Leader begins by telling the reader that the book is not about the “how” of leadership but about the “who”—who God is and who we are as stewards in God’s kingdom. Author Scott Rodin calls the book an invitation to a journey in which we learn about God, ourselves, and our identity and purpose in life. Christians are called first to be stewards, and some of us are called to be steward leaders. Rodin describes four levels of transformation represented by our relationships to God, ourselves, our neighbors, and the creation. By living a life of transformation we cease to set ourselves up as owners of things, positions, and people, and become stewards of all that God has given us; we cease to feel obligated to perform for God and others, and are liberated to serve out of joyful obedience. Indeed, joyful obedience is the heart of the steward leader, and this theme is carried throughout the book from cover to cover.

The book contains three sections plus an introduction and conclusion. The first section is a kind of prologue to the remainder of the book, in that it introduces the idea that we are called to be steward leaders of “no reputation” based on the passage from Phil. 2:7. That is, as steward leaders we are to be like Jesus, who made himself of no reputation and took upon the form of a servant. Rodin lays out five areas in which leaders must position themselves in order to take on the mantel of stewardship. The first area, for example, distinguishes between anointing and appointment. Frequently, leaders are appointed to an office, and then they are anointed for that position by those who appointed them. However, Rodin argues that biblical accounts suggest the reverse order: God anoints a person who is then appointed to a leadership position. An appointment to leadership does not require humility or service toward others, but an anointing to leadership requires that leaders submit everything to God. Rodin stresses that “submission is the disposition of the heart of the steward leader.”[i] The remaining areas concern this notion of submission, servanthood, and stewardship. Rodin argues that our sole calling is to be like Jesus and him alone. As we respond faithfully to God’s calling and humble ourselves we will be transformed into his likeness.

The second section deals with three foundations upon which we lead as stewards in God’s kingdom. The first foundation recognizes that we are made in the image of a triune God, and we were created to bear this image in community with others who bear his image. The implications for this assertion serve as the definition of what a godly steward is. Rodin writes,

As God’s people, we are called to reflect the image of our Creator God through whole, redeemed relationships at four levels—with God, with our self, with our neighbor and with creation—bringing glory to God and practicing in each the ongoing work of the faithful steward.[ii]

Rodin then describes each part of the definition as a three-part story with four levels, which center explicitly on relationships. The author explains the Christian’s purpose through the lenses of these relationships. God has called us “to respond to Christ’s redemptive work at all four levels.”[iii] We must take responsibility for our relationships, and this responsibility-taking Rodin sees as an obedient response to God’s call to be a godly steward.

Rodin lays two other foundations for the development of the steward leader. Those foundations are stewarding in freedom and characteristics that steward leaders have. “Obedient and joyful response . . . is the only requirement of the steward leader.”[iv] This new paradigm for leading requires freedom over ownership, Rodin states. Indeed, Rodin frequently juxtaposes the ideas of stewardship with ownership. Stewardship is what Christians are called to; only when we are stewards are we truly free to lead. Ownership, on the other hand, is what we are in bondage to when we seek to control our relationships, when we use others as a means to achieve our purposes, and when we place more value in what we own than in what God created. Rodin argues that steward leaders are not stewards in order to be effective; rather, their actions are grounded in obedience to God. It is the joyful and obedient response to God first that determines whether a steward leader will be effective. Steward leaders are consistent in their witness to God’s purposes for them and their organizations. Rodin warns that leaders lose their effectiveness when they model inconsistent behavior and allow their organizations to do the same.

Are you a warrior-leader?

Bobby Welch’s book is an impassioned and heartfelt call for Christians, laymen and clergy alike, to adopt a warrior-like approach to Kingdom work and Christian living. One of the later chapters, “Dying Words Of A Warrior Leader,” illustrates the title’s stated desire for a whole-life commitment. In fact, if there were more warrior-leaders in the pulpits and pews, God’s Kingdom today would advance as never before.

The book is organized in four main sections; The Warrior Leader’s Motivation, The Warrior Leader’s Mind, The Warrior Leader’s Mission, and The Warrior Leader’s Maturity. The chapters in these sections provide valuable advice and instruction in Kingdom-building, especially soul-winning. The illustrations and teaching-stories used to support the concepts are all powerful and almost exclusively military in nature.

Motivation

The chapter “You’re a Warrior, Not a CEO,” illustrates Welch’s approach in this work. Welch is quick to state that chief executive officers are a vital part of society, but they are not the model for Christian living or Church management. Christians and the Church are called to loving and careful but assertive, if not aggressive, evangelism and discipleship. Efficiency should take a back seat to effectiveness when it comes to souls. Borrowing from business management practice should be sparing and careful.

Mind

Unconventional Warfare speaks to the common yet unique nature of Christian Kingdom building. Some concepts are universal in strong organizations: “Take care of the people,” or “Achieve the mission.” How do these ideas find practice with Sunday School teachers and youth leaders? God-work is always unique and different, no matter how much it looks like something secular.

Mission

The Twelve Ways To Win is a chapter of valuable insight and good instruction. The twelve principles outlined, used in correct concert, will enable any Church-body to impact its community for Christ. Here Pastor’s Welch unique perspective and experience wins the day. He can speak to leadership “among the troops” that few others can. When he says leaders need to have front-line mentalities, you have to give serious consideration to what he says.

Summary

Despite the many good points and worthy message of You, The Warrior Leader, it is a challenging reading experience. The teaching stories and illustrations tend to be over long in the reviewer’s estimation. There is a jarring effect that calls attention away from from Pastor Welch’s intended message.

As a highly decorated combat veteran, and a high profile Gospel minister, there is much to commend Pastor Welch. This book contains much valuable material and insight. Be prepared to to work hard to draw the God-sent message off the pages and into your life.

Reviewed by Kirk Hunt

I was a little boy during the great depression. I was born in 1931 six miles east of New York’s Times Square and shortly after that, my parents bought a modest home on a dead end street where it would be safe for me to grow and play. The street was 320 feet long, lined with eight houses on each side and several abandoned tennis courts sat at its dead end.

No one had any money in those days but we always had a Christmas tree. I remember when you could buy a Christmas tree for a dollar. In early January all the men in our area would bring their Christmas trees to the abandoned tennis court where they would be stacked into a huge pile which was then set on fire. It was an impressive sight for a youngster’s eyes. All those dry fir trees bursting into an instant conflagration was exciting to see. That neighborhood tradition continued until the war came. Memories of good days long ago!

I teach a course that covers religious revivals starting with the 16^th century, stories of other fires and exciting conflagrations of the Spirit. I find this course easy to teach since its content is fascinating and familiar to me. My two favorite historical personalities are Charles Grandison Finney and Benjamin Hardin Irwin. My guess is that you have heard of one of these men, but not the other.

Charles G. Finney (1792-1875), leader during the Second Great Awakening.
Image: Wikimedia Commons

Charles Finney was a lawyer who lived in upstate New York. He was handsome, blond, six feet tall, 200 pounds, and a fine athlete in his day. He had a wonderful baritone voice, was an excellent cellist and had a brilliant mind. Once he became a believer in Jesus Christ, he left law and went on to be one of most famous preachers of the nineteenth century. In my mind, that makes him one of those “not many noble” that the Bible talks about. Finney was a “feminist” in that he insisted that women break the longstanding tradition of not speaking in church. Later, Finney opened Oberlin College, of which he was one of the founders, to women and to escaped slaves.

When Benjamin Irwin preached in the 1890’s in the heartland of our country, fire and heat could be felt and seen by the audience. This phenomenon brought all kinds of attention and popularity to Irwin. However, he was soon to crash and burn as his leadership came to an end in 1900. Two gifted men, one who lived for others and one who lived for himself.