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Leading from the Second Chair: Serving Your Church, Fulfilling Your Role, and Realizing Your Dreams (Jossey-Bass Leadership Network Series) Kindle Edition

4.6 out of 5 stars 415 ratings

This book addresses the unique challenges faced by secondary Church leaders, offering practical advice on fulfilling and successful service.

Church leaders who hold second chair positions are under tremendous pressure. They are expected to do their jobs and provide leadership while deferring to the top leader’s decisions and preferences. It's a constant balancing act where the challenges often go unrecognized. Leading from the Second Chair offers an invaluable resource to leaders who serve in second (and third or fourth) chair roles, enabling them to become more productive, proactive, and fulfilled.

Mike Bonem and Roger Patterson share their own and others' experiences of failure and success in these vital roles. They offer support and practical advice for reshaping the way second chair leaders can serve well and improve the overall performance of their church or organization. Leading from the Second Chair equips readers with the positive attitudes, skills, and strategies needed to become powerful leaders who will survive and thrive in God's service.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Someone said the hardest instrument to play is second fiddle. But since Jesus had one or two things to say about serving and submitting, this is a rich field. Mike Bonem and Roger Patterson have addressed a key need with wisdom and clarity." --John Ortberg, author, If You Want to Walk on Water, Get Out of the Boat; teaching pastor, Menlo Park Presbyterian Church

"The mission of an organization either hangs together or it falls apart at the critical interface between first and second chairs. This helpful volume from seasoned practitioners identifies and addresses the character, competencies, and chemistry that make for effective second chair leadership. It's a book for you, no matter which seat you're in." --Reggie McNeal, author, The Present Future; director, Leadership Development, South Carolina Baptist Convention

"When first released, this book became a guide for me as I navigated the challenging role of leading those below me, but also those above me. To this day, it remains the book for thousands of leaders who have one of the most challenging roles--that of leading from the second chair." --Tim Stevens, Vice President of Consulting, Vanderbloemen

"If you are a second chair leader, are considering a second chair role, or work with a second chair leader, this book is a must-read!" --Warren Schuh, executive pastor, Calvary Community Church

Review

"In Leading From the Second Chair, Mike Bonem and Roger Patterson take a fresh and rare approach to leadership by unleashing some invaluable principles and guidelines specific to healing to the second tier leader. Wherever you are in your organization, this book is sure to help you appreciate the unique challenges and valuable contributions of all those who lead from the second chair."
-- Ed Young, senior pastor, Fellowship Church

"Bonem and Paterson tell the truth about leading from the second chair. Leaders will be set free to lead to their true potential because of the practical and profound insights in this book."
-- Dan Reiland, executive pastor, Crossroads Community Church

Find Out How to Lead Effectively—Even When You're Not in Charge

"Somebody said the hardest instrument to play is second fiddle. But since Jesus had one or two things to say about serving and submitting, this is a rich field. Mike Bonem and Roger Patterson have addressed a key need with wisdom and clarity."
—John Ortberg, author, If You Want to Walk on Water, Get Out of the Boat; teaching pastor, Menlo Park Presbyterian Church

"The mission of an organization either hangs together or falls apart at the critical interface between first and second chairs. This helpful volume from seasoned practitioners identifies and addresses the character, competencies, and chemistry that make for effective second chair leadership. It's a book for you, no matter which seat you're in."
—Reggie McNeal, author, The Present Future; director, Leadership Development, South Carolina Baptist Convention

"The Bible is full of strategic leadership partnerships: Moses and Aaron, Mordecai and Esther, Paul and Silas, and even the Trinity. Each one demonstrates individual gifts being cojoined for maximum ministry effect. Leading from the Second Chair articulates and celebrates the necessity of God's strategic partnerships."
—Mike Slaughter and Kim Miller, lead pastor and creative director, Ginghamsburg Church

"If you are a second chair leader, are considering a second chair role, or work with a second chair leader, this book is a must-read! Mike Bonem and Roger Patterson have done a superb job of defining the living paradoxes a second chair leader deals with day in and day out. Don't consider a second chair role without reading this book first."
—Warren Schuh, executive pastor, Calvary Community Church

"Leading from the Second Chair targets the misunderstood and often unrecognized paradoxes of empowered second chair influence. Leaders in the twenty-first century church can avoid tragic pitfalls while leveraging the powerful contribution of second chair leaders by understanding and engaging the experience-forged insights in this important book."
—Jared Roth, vice president, International Church of the Foursquare Gospel

 

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B008NBZ7J2
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Jossey-Bass; 1st edition (June 22, 2012)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ June 22, 2012
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 3.3 MB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 204 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 out of 5 stars 415 ratings

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Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
415 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book extremely insightful and a wonderful resource for ministers. They appreciate its readability, particularly noting it's a must-read for associate leaders. The book receives positive feedback for its pacing, with one customer highlighting its helpful scriptural support.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

36 customers mention "Information quality"36 positive0 negative

Customers find the book extremely insightful and a wonderful resource for ministers, praising its wealth of knowledge.

"This book was an eye-opener. It confirmed much of what I've experienced in various staff roles and as a lead pastor...." Read more

"...This book builds savy. This book is timely, important, and could potentially prevent many ministry wrecks...." Read more

"...text books for a recent class and it offered wisdom and great information for those serving as the second chair whether in ministry or the workplace...." Read more

"This book is great if you want to become a leader." Read more

27 customers mention "Readability"27 positive0 negative

Customers find the book highly readable, with multiple reviews noting it is a must-read for associates and beneficial for Christian church leaders.

"This is an excellent book!..." Read more

"Good reading for any Christian Church Leader who is not the current Church Pastor." Read more

"This is one of the best books that I have personally read as a 2nd Chair leader at my church...." Read more

"...Great book." Read more

5 customers mention "Timing"5 positive0 negative

Customers find the book timely, with one mentioning its excellent service.

"...This book builds savy. This book is timely, important, and could potentially prevent many ministry wrecks...." Read more

"...This book was timely and helped me to see that while I may never be the one casting the vision the opportunity to support vision and develop others..." Read more

"This was referred to me by a close friend. It arrived at the perfect time and is quite helpful...." Read more

"This is an awesome product. The service was excellent, it did arrive before the estimated date. I would highly recommend this product to all leaders." Read more

4 customers mention "Pacing"4 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the pacing of the book, finding it well-explained and easy to read, with one customer noting its helpful scriptural support.

"...Instead, the book lays out material that can be used by pastors and staff in their churches." Read more

"...the first time, gives a particularly balanced approach with helpful scriptural support. Get this and give it to anyone who is not in the first chair." Read more

"Loaded with information and has detailed explanations. It is a guide to many unanswered questions I had. I love it!!!!!!" Read more

"Easy read...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on September 6, 2017
    This book was an eye-opener. It confirmed much of what I've experienced in various staff roles and as a lead pastor. The paradoxes of tensions faced by anyone serving on a staff was well explained. If there was one negative, it might be the absence of testimonies of second chair leaders from smaller churches. Still, the book's tenets are easily transferred into any church of any size. Even as a lead pastor, I came away from this book recognizing myself as a "second chair" that follows the Lord Jesus Christ. This book is not another leadership book full of theory and technique. Instead, the book lays out material that can be used by pastors and staff in their churches.
    3 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on August 31, 2006
    IF . . .

    Staff communication and Egos are healthy enough to take it.

    This book elevates the role of second chair pastoral staff. As the lead pastor of a church I appreciate the public acknowledgment of the immense value of second chair leadership. Any senior pastor who feels a need to micromanage or minimize the role of others is guilty of leading the church to mediocrity, sort of like an engine only running on one cylinder. I always want my second chair leaders to be LEADERS in every sense of the word.

    This book also cautions second chair leaders to check their personal egos at the door when they enter. Subordination is a great American weakness that does great damage to the church. Often second chair leaders excell in vision, energy, and drive, but too often are weak in areas of savy and experience. If the first chair leader feels threatened, things quickly go from bad to worse. This book builds savy.

    This book is timely, important, and could potentially prevent many ministry wrecks. I suggest that every multiple staff church use it as a study guide for a series of staff meetings. I wish it had come along earlier in my ministry.
    15 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on October 31, 2024
    Book is in perfect shape and arrived quickly. Only draw back is it seems yellowed with age.
  • Reviewed in the United States on April 25, 2021
    This is an excellent book! This was one of the supplemental text books for a recent class and it offered wisdom and great information for those serving as the second chair whether in ministry or the workplace. I highly recommend it!
  • Reviewed in the United States on October 13, 2022
    This book is great if you want to become a leader.
  • Reviewed in the United States on May 23, 2017
    Most of my time in ministry has been in a second chair role. This book gave me a greater appreciation and acceptance of my place in the kingdom purpose of God. I recommended this book to my first chair and he had all the staff of our church read it. I just went through the book again with a group of men on the campus of the multisite church that I pastor. I'm now seeing God fulfill the dreams He gave me while I was a student in Bible college 40 years ago, and He's surpassing those dreams even while I continue to serve in a second chair role.
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on January 11, 2023
    Good reading for any Christian Church Leader who is not the current Church Pastor.
    2 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on June 11, 2019
    Wish it had an audiobook version

Top reviews from other countries

  • Mr T.
    5.0 out of 5 stars very helpful book despite being American and about huge churches ...
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 29, 2016
    very helpful book despite being American and about huge churches with teams of teams. the principles are still the same.
  • Mikeandhisharem
    4.0 out of 5 stars Great Book
    Reviewed in Canada on November 28, 2018
    This is a great book to inspire you to be more than “just” a second chair; be a great second chair! I pray more first chairs read it to understand more fully what it means to be a second chair.
  • Ebony
    5.0 out of 5 stars Reader training
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 17, 2013
    This book was very useful as part of my Reader training in the Church of England. It was recommended reading.
  • Fred A. Waters
    3.0 out of 5 stars Three Stars
    Reviewed in Canada on October 28, 2016
    Helpful insights.
  • Mr C J Butland
    4.0 out of 5 stars Enjoying this book so far - a few chapters in ...
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 25, 2016
    Enjoying this book so far - a few chapters in. My observation, as a church leader in the UK, is that this is very much a book written from the perspective of the American church scene (obviously!). It's very much applicable, but there are also quite obvious differences in terminology and feel - quite business-like at times.
    But I'm definitely finding it challenging and helpful in my own role and am looking forward to reading the rest of i!

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