A Work of Heart: Understanding How God Shapes Spiritual Leaders

Praise for the Original Edition of A Work of Heart

"It is not just the skills of ministry that are important. The heart–sculpting work of God creates quality ministries. A Work of Heart explains how God is shaping each of us for future service."
Bob Buford, founding chairman, Leadership Network

"We′ve read leadership manuals ad nauseum. We′ve attended every high–powered conference imaginable. We′ve bought the T–shirts, the three–ring binders, and all the right soundbites. But if we′re honest, we′re in serious drift mode, and we know it. . . . In A Work of Heart, Reggie McNeal has given us nothing less than CPR for the leader′s soul, a book that moves us beyond leadership ′how–tos′ to the lifeline of genuine influence our own intricate, passionate journey with God."
Sally Morgenthaler, author, Worship Evangelism

"Everyone committed to developing leaders must study Reggie McNeal′s understandings of heart shaping, and in doing so, will experience their own hearts being sculpted."
Donald O. Clifton, past chairman, The Gallup Organization

"This is a must–read for present and emerging leaders who desire to balance practical leadership techniques with a heart shaped by God. In typical McNeal fashion, this book makes the connection between the truths of Scripture and the real world the leader lives in."
Tim Schroeder, pastor, Trinity Baptist Church, Kelowna, BC, Canada

"Don′t lose heart! Reggie McNeal helps us look under the hood, at the engine of our lives and leadership our heart and shows us what it takes to lead with increasing clarity and confidence and live with greater peace."
Dieter Zander, church planter, San Francisco, California

About the Jossey–Bass Leadership Network Series ix

Preface to the Updated Edition xi

Acknowledgments xvii

Introduction: Looking for God in All the Right Places xix

PART ONE How God Shaped Moses, David, Paul, and Jesus for Leadership 1

1. Moses: A Heart on a Mission 3

2. David: A Heart After God 21

3. Paul: A Heart Captured by God 36

4. Jesus: The Heartbeat of God 51

PART TWO Recognizing God s Shaping Work in Our Own Lives 71

5. Culture: Meeting the World 73

6. Call: Figuring Out Why We Are Here 94

7. Community: Connecting with Others Hearts 114

8. Communion: Rehearsing for Eternity 137

9. Conflict: Learning to Die So We Can Live 154

10. Commonplace: Discovering That the Ordinary Is Extra–Ordinary 175

Conclusion: Collaborating with God s Heart–Shaping Project 187

References 193

The Author 195

Index 197

Reggie McNeal is the missional leadership specialist for Leadership Network. Drawing on twenty years of leadership roles in local congregations and his work over the last two decades with thousands of clergy and church leaders, McNeal counsels local churches, denominational groups, seminaries and colleges, and parachurch organizations in their leadership development needs.
Leadership Network, a division of OneHundredX, seeks to accelerate the impact of 100X leaders. Since 1996, Leadership Network Publications has presented thoroughly researched and practical concepts from leading thinkers, practitioners, and pioneering churches. www.leadnet.org