Servant Leadership for Church Renewal: Shepherds by the Living Springs - Book Review

Currents in Theology and Mission, Dec, 2003 by Larry Kula

By David S. Young. Scottdale, PA: Herald Press, 2000. 175 pages. Paper. $12.99.

David S. Young, a pastor and professor who has taught at Eastern Baptist, Bethany, and Princeton Theological Seminaries, writes in the arena of spirituality and leadership. This book is a sequel to his previous book, A New Heart and a New Spirit (Judson Press, 1994).

Young writes from the front lines to educate pastors on church renewal based upon a servant-leadership model, which has as its foundation spiritual growth. Using the Servant Songs of Isaiah 40-55, Revelation (particularly chap. 7), and the Gospel of John as a scriptural basis, he argues that spiritual growth and depth are the basic building blocks for all endeavors in the church for leadership and church renewal. These are the transforming agents in a person's life that allow him or her to follow the example of Jesus as a servant of the people.

Young goes on to state that vision casting for leadership begins "from the bottom up" with the leaders "learning to kneel, to listen to God, and to be attentive to directives from God" (p. 28).

Vision is necessary for church leadership to succeed and for church renewal to have a chance, but neither is possible without strong faith in God and the ability to discern the voice of God as God directs the servant leaders of the church. Young is concerned that for pastors and other leaders of the church, their spirituality is lost in the everyday routine duties that need to happen to keep the church operating. As such, Young implores these pastors and leaders to place their personal spirituality at the top of their duty list.

Young uses the concept of "living water" to refer to the renewal of personal spirituality. Just as water renews the parched ground, so this living water renews the servant. Examples of this renewal in Servant Leadership for Church Renewal describe Young's success in using his method in various congregations. The examples show a pattern for church renewal that consists of listening to the situation, spiritual growth through personal prayer, listening to the people of the congregation and to God, and responding to the voices heard during the listening phase. This pattern is implied in the reading and is not specifically stated as a "method" for doing church renewal.

Great emphasis is placed upon praising God. Young believes that worship is a key component in church renewal. Along with offering praise to God, Young believes that it is the role of the leaders to offer "praise" to people doing work for the church. Acknowledging and praising people, including God, puts a sense of thankfulness in the hearts of the leaders along with building goodwill.

This book is very understandable and is user-friendly. It would be easy to use as an adult study. Worksheets are included that raise issues and guide the process.

Larry Kula

Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago