The Conviction to Lead

Albert Mohler’s life testifies to his qualification for writing a book on leadership. Mohler was appointed president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary at 33 years old. As newly appointed president, Mohler adopted a seminary in theological turmoil (Gregory Wills outlines Mohler’s role in returning SBTS from its theological liberalism to its original convictions in Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, 1859-2009. Wills account of SBTS through the 1980's and 1990's is worth the read) and was charged with leading a seminary that was in decline into the 21^st century. This he has done with remarkable success. SBTS is now, from my vantage point, a thriving center for evangelical scholarship and pastoral preparation. 

The Conviction to Lead is an excellent book. Mohler’s thesis is that our beliefs cannot be separated from our leadership. Effective leaders are those who, through every means possible, disseminate their deeply held convictions and set up their organization for preserving and furthering the beliefs they value most. While reading The Conviction to Lead I found myself confronted with activities, habits, and mindsets that I had never thought of as leadership functions. This was a strength of the book. I found my thinking about leadership expanded in terms of what the effective leader does to refine his convictions and advance them, but I also found my understanding of the essence of leadership narrowed to a single point: advancing the beliefs, values, and convictions that I believe are true and beneficial to those I am leading. 

Many have written reviews on Mohler’s book already, so I’ll simply refer you elsewhere for a more detailed walk through of the book. However, I would like to say that this would be a good book for any Christian in a position of leadership (whether in a Christian organization or not), but especially for those who are leading at the local church level. Pastors, elders, deacons, and ministry team leaders will find their understanding of their task made clearer through reading The Conviction to Lead. 

For the Mohler's own introduction, see his article The Conviction to Lead. 

Tim Challies' review can be read here. Of the book, Challies writes that this is probably Mohler's best book, "The Conviction to Lead has all the marks of an original work, oozing with wisdom and dripping with passion." Colin Hansen's here. Also, you'll find it on Kevin DeYoung's list of the best books of 2012.