As I Follow Christ: 20 Essentials Every Leader Should Know

By Dwain Esmond (Ed.); Hagerstown, MD: Review and Herald (2013); Reviewed by RON AGUILERA

As I Follow Christ: The 20 Essentials Every Leader Should Know is a new edited book on leadership written by some of the most notable leaders in the Seventh-day Adventist Church. The conviction of the authors is that Scripture provides eternal principles of leadership as a guide for every Christian leader. Each chapter reflects an author’s experience with a unique principle or value. as an avid reader and a student of leadership, I could not pass this book up.

Esmond collects and compiles the leadership thoughts and principles of leadership from a broad range of topics: a leader’s spiritual life, a leader’s vision, and a leader’s character, to name but a few. In each chapter, the authors share learning experiences in ministry that have provided transforming principles they have applied in their journey toward becoming a Christ-like leader.

Among my favorite chapters is the one by Gordon Bietz, who writes about a leader’s first steps and how to begin a new ministry cycle, whether as a new pastor or conference administrator. this excellent chapter is filled with practical and thoughtful ideas. There is also a great chapter on God’s woman as a leader, written by Prudence L. Pollard, in which she writes of how women and men lead differently and why. She speaks to the qualities women often bring to the leadership table and the ongoing challenges women face as leaders. another outstanding chapter, by Lowell Cooper, sets forth five leadership priorities—character, a balanced life, building trust, teamwork, and developing people. This excellent collection of priorities remind us of some of the key pillars of leadership. At just 139 pages, I easily read this valuable book in one sitting. Whether you are a ministerial intern or a seasoned pastor, or if you are leading a ministry, an organization, or a family, I highly recommend As I Follow Christ!

Ron Aguilera is an experienced pastor and Christian leader who currently serves as the executive secretary for the Illinois Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.