Favorite Books to Reread…7
Courageous Leadership, Bill Hybels
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This is the manuscript, blue print, text book for one of the best leaders today. I devoured this book when it first came out. Everyone knows Bill Hybels and the impact that his leadership through Willow Creek have had on the entire world. The best part of this book is the very first sentence in the introduction. I was floored when I read this. I had the opportunity to meet him a few years ago and told him how much that sentence impacted me. Bill has the ear of so many leaders, not to mention millions of people. He’s built huge churches, help fund thousands of others, written books, spoken to Congress, been on every stage imaginable, but his sense of humility and eagerness to get better are incredible. The first sentence of the book says, “I’ve waited thirty years to write this book.” In other words, he didn’t think he was quite ready to share as he still had more to learn, more to grow, more to work on. (Guess I should put on hold any plan of writing that leadership book!)
This is an incredible book with great insights into the life of Bill and Willow Creek, but it also has so many practical truths that can be implemented today.
Favorite Quotes:
“The local church is the hope of the world.”
“Leaders see the big picture and understand how to help others find their place of service within that picture.”
“Vision is at the very core of leadership. Take vision away from a leader and you cut out his or her heart.”
“Visions are priceless. They are the holy entrustments from God that must be taken seriously.”
“If God has given you a kingdom vision, if you see it clearly and feel it deeply, you had better take responsibility for it. You had better give your life to it. That’s why God made you a leader. That’s your unique calling. That’s what you and I will be held accountable for someday.”
“When I’m thinking clearly, I realize that I’d rather be known for being a man of love than a man of vision.”
