A Work of Heart

Revised and updated edition of the classic work on spiritual leadership In A Work of Heart, bestselling author and missional expert Reggie McNeal helps leaders reflect on the ways in which God is shaping them by letting us see God at work in the lives of four quintessential biblical leaders: Moses, David, Jesus, and Paul. McNeal identifies the formative influences upon these leaders, which he sees as God's ways of working in their lives: the same influences at work today forming leaders for ministry in our times. He explores the shaping influence of culture, call, community, conflict, and the commonplace. Offers guidance for church leaders to let God shape their hearts from the inside out Reggie McNeal is the author of the bestselling book Missional Renaissance Gives reassurance for maintaining perspective while doing the demanding work of ministry The book includes illustrative stories of contemporary leaders opening their hearts to God's guidance.

About the Jossey-Bass Leadership Network Series ix Preface to the Updated Edition xi Acknowledgments xvii Introduction: Looking for God in All the Right Places xix Part One How God Shaped Moses, David, Paul, and Jesus for Leadership 1 1. Moses: A Heart on a Mission 3 2. David: A Heart After God 21 3. Paul: A Heart Captured by God 36 4. Jesus: The Heartbeat of God 51 Part Two Recognizing God’s Shaping Work in Our Own Lives 71 5. Culture: Meeting the World 73 6. Call: Figuring Out Why We Are Here 94 7. Community: Connecting with Others’ Hearts 114 8. Communion: Rehearsing for Eternity 137 9. Conflict: Learning to Die So We Can Live 154 10. Commonplace: Discovering That the Ordinary Is Extra-Ordinary 175 Conclusion: Collaborating with God’s Heart-Shaping Project 187 References 193 The Author 195 Index 197