Maxwell’s book, Developing the Leaders around You, is a good supplemental text for Christian leadership training. It’s theologically weak basis, however, does not warrant its placement as a main text for the potential Christian leader. Maxwell offers some very practical advice that can be utilized by the well-grounded Christian. The essence of leadership from a biblical viewpoint is not promoted in the book; leaders utilizing Maxwell’s advice, therefore, need to be wary. As Paul warns in Colossians 2:8, “See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.” Much of the world’s thinking on leadership is “hollow” thinking, with no solid base; the approach is pragmatic. The man or woman of God is not to be pragmatic, but rather is to do all things for the glory of God (II Thessalonians 1:12).
In the first chapter, Maxwell drives home the point that the leader’s main goal is to raise up other leaders who will go on to carry out an organization’s vision long after initial leadership has passed. As the author says, “There is no success without a successor.” However, the emphasis of the chapter is that organizations must grow. Maxwell uses the real life example of Skyline Wesleyan Church, the church he became pastor of in 1981. He admits that his first question as a new leader was why the number of people in attendance had reached a plateau. He goes on to explain how the numbers rose from 1,000 to 4,000 under his watch. This growth in sheer number of people in attendance is equated to success of pastoral leadership. During Jesus’ time of leadership, He reminded His disciples that the road to true life in Him is very narrow, and few will travel that road (Matthew 7:13, 14). Jesus constantly highlighted the difficulty of truly following Him in selfless service and exclusive loyalty (Luke 9:23). In light of these Gospel truths, we must remember that although leaders must breed leaders for continued success, the essence of the leadership must be properly focused. Likening leadership strength to increase in church attendance may be dangerous. What is the gain if followers of Christ do not beget genuine followers of Christ, rather merely people who happen to attend church? Growth is not the sole goal; undivided service to Jesus Christ is.
In the second chapter of Developing the Leaders around You, the author points to a wonderful truth. He instructs us to have vision enough to see the future leader in a person, rather than only focusing on the potential leader’s development to the present moment. Jesus Himself looked at what His disciples could be, and He worked to that end. Knowing the soon coming failures of Peter, Jesus encouraged Peter by naming him a “rock” (Matthew 16:18). This is one of many examples when Christ looked down the road to the potential in a man through God’s strength. Grace can do this. Maxwell rightly encourages us to be leaders who believe in others, knowing God’s grace can do mighty things. At the same time, Maxwell instructs us that for those potential leaders who refuse to comply and produce, difficult decisions must be made. After sufficient warning and re-training, it becomes necessary to terminate positions for the good of the vision. A biblical truth is modeled here, as God prods us to come to Him continually. But, after sufficient time, He will “close the door” and – for the good of all those who have chosen Him – the unrighteous will be forever banished from our “home of righteousness.” That, of course, is the big, broad picture; it nonetheless lends credence to the idea that we extend grace and instruction to those who will receive, and, then, at the right time, discontinue opportunity for those who choose to refuse help. This becomes the only way to save the integrity of the organization.
Maxwell does well in instructing us to look first for character when it comes to qualities for a leader. He promotes the concept of integrity, which is essential for God’s plan. Ever since the fall of man, disintegration and deceitfulness are everywhere. We Christians battle constantly for an “undivided heart” (Psalm 86:11) that will live for God no matter what and model the integrity He will one day fully restore to this earth, physically and morally.
Maxwell falls short, however, in defining leadership simply as “influence.” Service is the essence of Christian leadership, and influence is its rightful by-product. We live by the hypothesis that Jesus is the greatest Leader of all, and Jesus came to serve mankind (Mark 10:45). It was through His ultimate service that Jesus Christ “influenced” the world as no other ever could. Influence follows a servant’s heart, not vice versa.
Shortly after defining leadership as influence, Maxwell pinpoints a positive attitude as one of the most valuable assets of a leader. He does not go on to establish a basis for this positive attitude. Why should leaders be positive? The answer from a biblical worldview falls nothing short of the hope we have in the victory of Christ Jesus over sin’s power and death (I Peter 1:3). Anything appearing to be a positive attitude that has a foundation other than Jesus Christ is simply of no real substance: an imposter. Our leaders will soon lose motivation if their attitudes find no transcendent, immutable root.
Developing the Leaders around You reminds us that people want significance. Our culture would do well to remind the next generation to cease engaging in activities devoid of true meaning. We are designed by our Creator to subdue the earth, to fill the earth by the work of our lives and relationships (Genesis 1:28). Maxwell tells us to remind people of the bigger picture; remind others of what their contribution means in the long run. Leaders must invigorate by connecting the everyday “stuff of life” with the long-term vision. The apostle Paul did much the same when he reminded us to focus on what is eternal even while we suffer through the temporary struggles of life (II Corinthians 4:16-18). During instruction as to how we should equip leaders, Maxwell states that our dreams are important. I quote him on page 92, “I have often wondered, ‘Does the person make the dream or does the dream make the person?’ My conclusion is both are equally true.” He goes on to tell us that great leaders need people to help make dreams reality. These thoughts are problematic in that they are incomplete and, therefore, lack firm biblical foundation. In response to the page 92 quote, let us say, “God made the person and the dream!” The ever popular Psalm 37:4 affirms that the only way to achieve the dreams we were designed for is by “delighting ourselves in the Lord.” We are not to delight ourselves in our dreams, but in the Lord Himself, in order to see the true fulfilled plan for our lives. Solid biblical motivation is imperative for Christian leaders. All else will lead to defeat in the eyes of God and – eventually – man.
Maxwell encourages his readers to be self-disciplined in setting aside time each day for personal growth. Personal discipline is essential for leadership. However, since this text is viewed as a Christian text, the personal model Maxwell sets forth for a weekly plan is not sufficient. On page 113, Maxwell makes clear that one hour each Monday with God is part of a rewarding plan of growth. The other days’ hours are filled with leadership books, tapes, and study. The model of Jesus Christ certainly makes this model for growth appear disproportionate. Our worship of God and commitment to Him must be first. If the Father promises all our basic needs when we seek Him first (Matthew 6:33), certainly He will provide for our leadership development when we place Him first as well.
Developing the Leaders around You can aid in the development of leadership qualities for the well-grounded Christian. Maxwell says eloquently on page 178, “To live a worthwhile, meaningful life, a person must be a part of something greater than himself.” This statement is most definitely true. It is true, however, because man is not at the center of the universe; God is. We find our value as people – as leaders – in God through Jesus Christ. While it is important to outline good leadership qualities so people can put them into practice, it is just as vital for the Christian leader to back up each concept with proper theology. If not, Christian leaders, such as Maxwell, are simply writing secular leadership books and sprinkling them with “Christian language.” Authentic leadership derives from an authentic God. Leadership, like all other disciplines of life, finds its only true, untainted meaning when studied and practiced from a thoroughly biblical worldview.
