If you’re looking for a book filled with the latest and greatest innovative fads do not read this book. However, if you believe, like Greg Atkinson, that God is the Chief Innovator, and your best ideas and breakthroughs will come from the Holy Spirit, then read on.
This book is FULL of Scripture! Every idea and principle is solidly built on this foundation of Scripture.
Strange Leadership is really a book about being in tune with God and His Spirit. Atkinson argues this to be THE key to innovation. In the introduction he says,
This is at the very core of being innovative—to be so in tune with God; his dreams become your dreams.
He goes on to say that innovation requires a couple of things:
- Listening to the Spirit of God and looking for where He’s moving.
- Walking with God and being men and women of integrity.
- There is no shortcut to innovation: you can not bypass prayer.
Strange Leadership is broken into 40 chapters. Yes, that’s correct, 40! My only negative critique is that a 40 chapter book that’s almost 400 words is a bit much, especially for busy leaders. However, the chapters are short enough to read in 10 minutes or less and can be taken one a day, which is what I did.
Here are a few highlights for becoming an innovative organization:
Salvation
Preach the unchanging truth of the gospel and new things (innovation) will be a natural byproduct. (p. 41)
Decision
You may have every intention of leading an innovative ministry, but this one truth is staring you dead in the face and keeping you from “godly action.” You haven’t made the decision to do it—no matter what the cost. (p. 56)
Inquisition
When we are so in love with Jesus, so close in communion with Him, so sensitive to the Holy Spirit, and tuned in to what God is doing in our lives; when all this matches up, what we “desire” is actually what God wants us to desire. (p. 67)
Revelation
Be sure to submit to the leading of the Holy Spirit and stay open to God speaking to you in unconventional ways. And please know: I can tell you God still speaks, but I can’t make Him do it. (p. 80)
I was going to give a highlight from every chapter but my e-version notes were accidentally deleted after chapter 4! So here are a couple final highlights from the last of 40 chapters, Desperation (my personal favorite)…
I saved this way that innovation happens for last because it’s my favorite. If you get this, you get the whole thing. If you can grasp onto this concept and live it out, you will be a changed person. The way I usually refer to desperation is a kind of desperation that leads to a dependency upon the Holy Spirit. A desperation that leads to a dependency upon the Holy Spirit—that’s the key to not only the innovative life but the Christian life. (p. 357)
I don’t know whom I’m speaking to. Maybe a church planter. Maybe a nonprofit that’s in the early stages. Maybe someone who’s been serving somewhere for a long time and has become comfortable. Hear my heart: Let’s never stop crying out to God and longing for His presence and His hand to guide and hold us. I hope I never again (because I have before) get to a place where I say to God, “I’ve got it now. You can let go.” I pray that for you as well. (p. 359)
I hope that’s enough to wet your whistle and read Strange Leadership!
I highly recommend Strange Leadership, especially for leadership teams. I look forward to going through each chapter with the leadership team at Restoration Church next year!