Neil Cole (1) (1960–)

The author of Organic Church and Search & Rescue is back with a rich volume on leadership. Like Frank Viola (Pagan Christianity, Reimagining Church, Finding Organic Church) Cole stresses the importance of churches as mentioned in the New Testament, taking the Bible as-is. Avoidance business like leadership and structure in church is one of the other main topcis. Subitled Leading Naturally Right Where You Are this book certainly is not a usual leadership / self help book. After stripping christian leadership from hierarchy, positions based on scholarship, paid salary and false dichotomies, copy-and-paste of success stories, etc. Cole takes four sections to work out a series of principles and lessons learned on real servant leadership (in an upside-down Kingdom), homegrown leadership, multiplication, learning, and life-on-life mentoring skills. Last and certainly not least the author goes as far as giving up ministries, leadership roles or even church as is and the delicate subject of payment for service in the church. Cole is a enthusiastic user of examples provided in movie pictures, proverbs, poetry and other literature to spice up his message. Nevertheless his message is explicit, hitting you in the face, so it's hard to put aside this book without changed mind & practical consequences.… (meer)