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By Dale Reeves

The mission of Christian Leadership Alliance (CLA) is to exhort, equip, and empower Christian leaders to think biblically and lead effectively as faithful stewards in the service of Jesus Christ. To that end, CLA is thrilled to announce the upcoming release of a new Engstrom Institute (EI) book, Nonprofit Leadership in a For-Profit World: Essential Insights from 15 Christian Executives (Standard Publishing, April 2011).

The book, edited by Dr. David Gyertson and Joseph Krivickas, shares the expertise of 15 executives from leading faith-based nonprofit organizations who offer insights and best practices for successful leadership. These leaders (with more than 500 collective years of experience in nonprofit leadership) were asked to share their aspirations for the emerging generation of Christian leaders by responding to these questions:

1. If you could give a "last lecture” to the next generation of those called to lead faith-based nonprofits, what would be the most important lessons you would share?
2. If you could invest the next year of your life in the next leader of your most treasured faith-based nonprofit organization, what would be your emphasis?
3. If you could lead your organization into the future, what would you do differently and why?
4. What do you believe to be the most important legacy God has allowed you to leave as a faith-based nonprofit leader?

A Peek Inside
A few excerpts from the 15 dynamic chapters in Nonprofit Leadership in a For-Profit World provide a glimpse into the insights presented in this landmark resource.

Steve Douglass, president of Campus Crusade for Christ: I was preparing to videotape a message to Campus Crusade for Christ leaders concerning a major reorganization. It affected a significant percentage of our leadership team. As with anything that moves people to new positions, it could sound like many had not done a good job or were not valued anymore. It was so important that I not say the wrong thing, I decided to teleprompt the message. Those around me advised against it. They felt it might come across wooden and not show my heart. So I thought I would at least work from extensive notes so I could stay away from the potential problems that could be created by a wrong statement.

I started the taping, got into it a few minutes, and felt awful about how it was coming across. I started again, and the same thing happened. The small group of us in the taping room stopped and prayed. What God seemed to say was to throw away the notes, look straight at the camera, share about my love and concern for my listeners, and show them how our reorganization will help them and their people be even more needed and fruitful in the years to come. It was amazing! God seemed to give the right words; but more importantly, I sensed that my heart of love for them came through.

*Excerpted from his chapter, "Live, Love, and Lead.”

Richard Stearns, president of World Vision U.S: I spent twenty-three years in the corporate world, where the bottom line is always financial and the means to that end is some product or service. One of the first challenges I faced at World Vision was how to mix performance, goal setting, and excellence with prayer, devotions, and strong Christian relationships. . . .
When I first came to World Vision, I found well-meaning people doing good things—often with a great deal of passion. And I found overheads that were too high and growth that was too slow. The attitude was, "We are good people doing good things, and that’s good enough.” But the Lord does not call us to be "good enough.” The Lord calls us to be excellent people doing excellent things. . . . The bottom line is changed lives, impact—and finances are only a means to that end.

*Excerpted from his chapter, "Lead Best by Following First.”

Melinda Delahoyde, president of Care Net: Am I asking God what he wants me to do? Am I seeking what he has for our ministry? . . . Is there a new work that he has for us? Is he opening a pathway of service? God wants to answer these questions. It is his vision, his plan, his kingdom. So much of our responsibility as leaders is simply to stand there with him and be faithful. When I am listening to God, and genuinely desire his will, the focus is where it should be—on God and not on my abilities to accomplish the task God has given.

*Excerpted from her chapter, "Strengthening the Inner Core of Leadership.”

C. Jeffrey Wright, CEO of Urban Ministries, Inc. (UMI): Jesus made it his business to be there. Walking though the regions, from one encounter to another as recorded in the Gospels; his leadership was demonstrated by personally addressing people, problems, and opportunities. He did not desire a corner office in a synagogue with a closed door and rigid office hours. And though in the case of Lazarus (John 11), he may have delayed coming, he usually came to the patient and not the other way around. He was out and among the people needing his ministry—being accessible to children, outcasts, and the disadvantaged where they lived. His model of being there is a critical leadership practice that strengthens the authority and impact of the leader. Make deliberate opportunities for communication, for questions and interaction. It is amazing how many leaders undermine their effectiveness simply by not being there.

*Excerpted from his chapter, "Prescriptions for Leadership.”

Right on Time
This book is the first in a new EI Christian Leadership Series being developed by CLA. Readers will resonate with the different leadership styles and big ideas it offers. As leaders apply the best practices in this book, they will become better servant leaders for their sakes and for the sake of those whom they lead. If you’re a leader, or plan to be in the future, and you want to be about more than just bottom-line profits, to invest with passion in something that will last long after you’re gone, and to leave a legacy, this book is for you.

Written in an approachable style, Nonprofit Leadership in a For-Profit World features life lessons and compelling stories, as well as practical wisdom from God’s Word. Every chapter includes recommendations from each author’s leadership bookshelf, questions and action steps for personal reflection and application, and additional questions and action steps for team use. The book is scheduled to be released by Standard Publishing on April 1, 2011, just in time for CLA’s annual conference in Dallas.

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Dale Reeves is the acquisitions editor for adult ministry resources at Standard Publishing in Cincinnati.