Making Spiritual Sense: Christian Leaders as Spiritual Interpreters

Endorsements: Christian leaders help other Christians see and understand everything in their lives in spiritual terms. Scott Cormode is a pioneer in understanding church leadership with the theological disciplines of the faith. Making Spiritual Sense captures in a marvelous way the distinctive character of church leadership as the Christian leader is defined as theological interpreter. -Lovett H. Weems Jr., Distinguished Professor of Church Leadership at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, DC, and author of Take the Next Step: Leading Lasting Change in the Church Those who know Scott Cormode well and have long respected his teaching and leadership in church and academy have eagerly anticipated the publication of his first in-depth study of leadership. At last our hopes have been rewarded--and generously so. This book demonstrates a rare breadth of scholarly knowledge and possesses the humility and confidence that characterizes the best leadership today. It invites those who lead to remember that the best leaders give people the tools to think for themselves, a fact that any leader neglects at the greatest of peril. -Michael Jinkins, Dean and Professor of Pastoral Theology, Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, Austin, TX This is a profoundly important book. Finally someone has taken seriously the need to deeply integrate social science perspectives in relation to a Christian understanding of leadership. Cormode creatively integrates key theoretical insights within a theological framework in helping Christian leaders understand how to lead by making spiritual sense. Extensive use of narrative stories brings his argument to life and provides accessible ways for readers to further develop their own repertoire of meaning for leading through sense making. -Craig Van Gelder, Professor of Congregational Mission, Luther Seminary, Saint Paul, MN About the Contributor(s): Scott Cormide is the Hugh De Pree Associate Professor of Leadership Development at Fuller Theological Seminary and the De Pree Leadership Center. He is an ordained Presbyterian minister and the founder of both the Academy of Religious Leadership and the Journal of Religious Leadership.