Lead with your Strengths

The book Lead With Your Strengths, co-authored by Director of ACCM, John McLean, had its public launch on April 29 in Sydney, Australia. The book is based on the research findings from more than 10,000 church leaders across 22 denominations in Australia conducted by the National Church Life Survey (NCLS) Research Organization. Co-author Peter Kaldor is widely known and respected as a researcher and writer on the church in Australia.

Peter and John met at a leadership training workshop run by Pacific Training & Development. Peter subsequently invited John to collaborate with him on a church leadership book aimed at equipping church leaders for sustainable and effective leadership in changing and challenging times.

The 232 page book is complemented by a booklet and workbook that form a church leadership kit. 

Lead With Your Strengths identifies 12 key strengths for leading, accompanied by six important personal spiritual foundations. The book includes the following notions, supported by the research:

• Leadership is strengths-based. That is, making a positive difference in the lives of others, producing positive change and transformation, is best accomplished by using your strengths and gifts, not by focusing on your weaknesses. Leadership is about a process involving the orchestration and facilitation of the dynamic interaction and integration of a group of strengths.
• Leadership is inclusive. Leading is not just for the charismatic few, but is everyone’s business. Everyone has something to contribute.
• Leading grows out of an authentic life. Not only sustainability, but effectiveness is connected with being who God made you to be, rather than trying to be like someone else.
• Spiritual foundations are key to making a positive difference in the world around us.

Understanding the loving communion of Father, Son and Spirit unlocks the nature and practice of positive leadership. Our prayer is that the book might help equip church leaders around the world for leading sustainably and joyfully, and contribute to the health and vitality of the church at large.