Why are so many churches across the globe suffering an explosion of failing leaders? The scandals are eerily similar with greed and pride so often central to the sinful behaviours that rock church communities. The collateral damage includes far more than those closest to the blast and often reverberates through subsequent generations as hurt congregants leave the church and—too often—Jesus.
Courageous Leaders are Humble, Fearful Followers
It seems that it takes much more than a theology degree and a desire to pastor to be an effective leader in the church. But what is required? David M. Cook and Shane W. Parker, authors of Leading from the Foundation Up: How Fearing God Builds Stronger Leaders, propose that “healthy, courageous leaders are humble, fearful followers” (xi) of God.
Cook and Park explain that even secular academic research reveals people care about the character of their leaders. While an electric stage presence, a personable nature, or even exegetical excellence may be initially attractive, these features fast fade if they are not underpinned by “integrity, wisdom, and conviction.” It’s the foundational stuff that makes or breaks a leader—and the cement is fearing God.
If the fear of the Lord is “the beginning of wisdom,” then it must be the starting point for fruitful Christian leadership. David Cook and Shane Parker offer an accessible volume focused on Christian leadership philosophy and practice from the foundational viewpoint of the fear of the Lord. This unique approach will enable developing and seasoned leaders to grow in godliness for the sake of the gospel and the church.
Fear God
What has fear to do with leadership? In their introduction, Cook and Parker point out that a deep, biblically rooted fear of God is not a stern or suffocating fear steeped in archaic rhetoric. Rather, fearing God is a source of joy and life: it is what “fashions people into sound leaders” (xi).
A leader who fears God is someone who, in awe of God, seeks to know and obey him. They marvel at God’s world and his revelation in Jesus: “You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power!” (Rev 4:11). They become people who tremble before God so that God’s glory consumes any fear of man. They no longer look to the world for approval or follow the next big thing in Christian circles. Instead, they truly grow as followers of Christ, walking humbly in his ways. They are more likely to be teachable, humble, and wise: exactly the kind of people we want to follow because they are the kind of people we want to be (23).
They become people who tremble before God … They no longer look to the world for approval or follow the next big thing in Christian circles.
Written in two parts, Leading from the Foundation Up provides a clear breakdown of (1) what the foundation of leadership is (the fear of God and how that forms leaders) and (2) how to build on that foundation, with chapter titles such as “Earning Trust through God-fearing Integrity” and “The Allure of Counterfeit Wisdom” promising some deep-dive wisdom about common pitfalls.
Along the way, Cook and Parker explore biblical examples of wisdom, integrity, and conviction (or lack thereof) and how the fear of God (or lack thereof) underpins each example. Many times, these stories are familiar to us for their theological significance or their place in God’s big picture. Yet, Cook and Parker often draw more specific details from these stories, allowing the reader to see aspects that are helpful for building a picture of healthy, courageous leadership.
Most often, these parallels were helpful observations. However, at times I felt the authors ascribed motive to biblical characters that were open to other possible interpretations, leaving me contemplating the validity of the example rather than the helpfulness of the point. This was most noticeable in chapter 9, “Zeal Flowing from God-Fearing Conviction”, where David’s zealous act in slaying Goliath is explained as: “Because David feared God, he had strong convictions about the way God fights for His people” (102). I am not sure that such a clear line can be drawn from his fear of God to his specific action. However, the conclusion remains clear: “However you state them, these values must flow downriver from the high throne of God into a leader’s heart and mind” (108).
Seek Wisdom
As expected, the authors also draw deeply from the thirst-quenching well of Proverbs. Together with reflections from the other Old Testament wisdom books, Cook and Parker often provide pause for deep thought as they paint beautiful word pictures. Just as the reader is thinking, “Yes! But … how?”, they offer practical wisdom for how we can be spiritually fit—teachable, self-aware, humble, and full of grace. One example is the simple reminder to be like the persistent widow, asking God daily to teach us to fear him and give us wisdom: “If you want a guide through the minefield of leadership, ask God for wisdom all the time and master the Proverbs” (85).
Just as the reader is thinking, “Yes! But … how?”, they offer practical wisdom for how we can be spiritually fit—teachable, self-aware, humble, and full of grace.
Each chapter concludes with discussion questions. These provide an opportunity to explore leadership from a different perspective, drawing on one’s own experiences and observations whilst also engaging with the chapter’s material. A caveat in group settings: some questions could lead to gossip or slander and would require a careful handling. For instance, sharing about experiences working with wise and foolish leaders (86) could open the door to unhelpful storytelling.
Maintain Integrity
Cook and Parker recognise even the most humble and godly leaders can face deeply troubling injustice. They call for these leaders to keep doing what is right in the face of immense risk or pressure, recognising that the outcome is entirely in God’s hands. This is perhaps best illustrated in their last chapter where the concept of servant leadership is fleshed out under the title “The Undeniable Cost of God-Fearing Leadership”. Serving like Jesus means humbling ourselves. It means enduring suffering for the kingdom’s sake.
This chapter is inspirational in the face of an external, secular enemy. But it is much harder to navigate when the enemy is from within the church.
I would have liked the authors to address how servant leaders can or should tackle the problem of bullying behaviour so often aided by our structures and systems. Too often, expediency (how quickly can we make this problem disappear?) trumps integrity (how can we seek the truth and honour God?). So many churches are caught up in a messy web of their own making simply because they chose the fear of man over the fear of God. Too often, the result is rampant ungodliness masquerading as Christian leadership, with generations of future leaders modelling their ministry not on our risen Saviour but on the patterns of their predecessors. This book would do well to direct readers to resources that will help them navigate this danger.
Not a Job for Someone Else
I first picked up this book as an outside observer, quickly discovering it is one that I would love to see in the hands of every Christian leader. Theology students especially should read this before they enter fulltime ministry – its content highlights essentials for Christian leadership.
But by the time I finished reading, I realised that this is not just a clear concise picture of what we should expect in our ministry leaders. It is a picture of godly living for all Christians.
The reality is that we are almost all leaders. Our spheres of influence may be large or small, but somewhere in some context, we are likely to find ourselves with oversight of a group of people where our actions will impact and influence them. As Christians, our longing should be to fear God and honour him first and foremost. The natural outworking of that can only be a deep desire to be men and women of integrity, wisdom, and conviction. Let’s lead – and live – from the foundation up.
