Saturday, January 18, 2014

Leadership Principles from an Unexpected Source

When I received a review copy of Joseph James Slawek's book from Handlebar Publishing I was already reading another book on leadership and I was interested in seeing what "Ingredients for Success" would add to my search. I found much that was useful and some great points for discussion as well as one area that raises some concern. My concern does not take anything from the value of the book but it is serious enough to give the book only three stars.

One of the helpful points is in chapter 3 (the third principle: Know, Develop and Use Your Unique Abilities) in which the writer states that not all leaders are five-talent people, two-talent people and one-talent people. Our goal as leaders is not to become  5 talent leaders but rather to become the best leader we can with the abilities God has given us.

He also reminds us that we can't do anything we want. That is a good point in a society that seems to tell us that everyone can do anything they want. Listening to the American Idol competition is a good example of what happens when people think that can do anything they want--of course it is good entertainment.

I think all ten principles spelled out in the book are helpful but I found it strange they were based on three parables from Matthew 25 when there are so many other places in the Bible that seem more fertile ground for leadership principles.

However, there was a red flag for me in the first chapter that gave me pause and hung over me through the book. In chapter one he seems to raise his book to the level of divine authority. Slawek states "...these are concepts that come from God's word; therefore it is beyond a man's opinion...It is the God of the universe speaking personally and profoundly to each and every one of us. That should send a shiver up our spines." 

I have to admit a shiver went up my spine but not for the reason the author suggests. What caused me to shiver was the thought that the writer seems to think he has just written principles that rise to the level of divine authority. As good as these principles may be they are not on the same level as the Bible.  In fact one of the key concepts in the book (the 2 x 4 principle) is contradicted by another passage of Scripture in which God promises not double the  increase but 30, 60 or 100 percent increase.

In my theology the canon of Scripture is closed.