Paradigms of Spirit-Empowered Leadership

Twenty-two centuries of Christian history have been recorded, usually with an emphasis on dominant theological and socio-cultural themes and with biographies of thousands of men and women who played leadership roles. Serious historians have studied these leaders, especially those who founded or otherwise affected these spiritual movements. Unfortunately, Christian leaders have been identified but with little emphasis on their leadership. Until now, this deficit has been especially present in our study of the modern worldwide Pentecostal and charismatic movements. This volume, written by the outstanding scholar and university mentor, Rev. Dr. Eric Newberg of Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma, has turned our attention to forces or influences that helped to create Holy Spirit-led leaders in our recent history, as well as in the biblical periods. Newberg skillfully analyzes an amazing array of both the processes that each leader employed and the products that resulted in each case. Truly excellent history is written by high-level scholars, such as Dr. Newberg, who recognize that, in many cases, the lives of such Christian leaders have had an incredibly positive impact on the Christian world. These he classifies into apostles, prophets, healing evangelists, pastorpreneurs, and teacher-scholars. But Newberg also recognizes that not all "Christian leaders" have had an unblemished record as their quest for power and influence and their lack of integrity and morality has led to chaos, confusion, and even prison. Finally, our author suggests ways in which true leaders can be developed. Through it all, Newberg reminds us that leadership in renewal ministry must be fully Spirit-led. - Drs. Ruth and Stanley Burgess