The Leadership Jump: Building Partnerships Between Existing and Emerging Christian Leaders
"I would love to putThe Leadership Jumpinto the hands of existing leaders of the first-generation congregation and emerging leaders of the English ministry of every ethnic church in the country. In my fifteen years of working closely with both groups in Asian American churches, there's been a need for a resource to get the two sides talking constructively. Jimmy Long's book would fill this void well." (Paul Tokunaga, author of Invitation to Lead: Guidance for Emerging Asian American Leaders, and former Asian American ministries coordinator, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship/USA)"For decades, Christian leadership has been stuck in retro cartoonland: vision-slinging heroes, lone rangers and clip-art maps of the world. Long shifts us into hyperspeed with this one. No asteroid unturned." (Sally Morgenthaler, contributor to An Emergent Manifesto of Hope)"The legacy of baby-boomer pastors depends on their willingness to empower the next generation of church leaders. Likewise, the effectiveness of younger pastors depends on their willingness to learn from the wisdom of their elders. Jimmy Long is one of the best-qualified voices to speak to both sides, and his book helps leaders believe, perhaps for the first time, that the generation gap can be overcome.The Leadership Jumpis a valuable read for every church wrestling with generational transition." (Skye Jethani, managing editor, Leadership Journal, and author of The Divine Commodity: Discovering a Faith Beyond Consumer Christianity)"Our culture is rapidly changing. And that includes how leaders think, behave and relate to one another across the generational divide in the church. Jimmy Long has done an amazing job in providing practical help in how to navigate the emerging leadership landscape. The younger leaders I work with will wish that every senior leader would read this book with them." (Stephen Hayner, professor of church growth, Columbia Theological Seminary)"An extremely timely book that just might save the established church. Long describes in detail one of the most urgent and potentially destructive issues of our time--how to transition leadership from the top-down, command-and-control world of modernity to the bottom-up, team-based, permission-giving, emerging postmodern world. He not only casts a vision for intergenerational partnerships, but he also gives practical tools for accomplishing the vision. Kudos on you Jimmy." (Bill Easum, author, Leadership on the Other Side, cofounder, Easum, Bandy & Tenny-Brittian)"Looking for a bridge to the future? Take this one. When churches build a bridge by starting in the middle, the end result is a bridge to nowhere. Jimmy Long has traveled both sides, knows the depth of the chasm that separates the banks of established churches from emerging ones, and is conversant in the current conversations on either side of the scholarly divides. This book will help you be a bridgebuilder in your church, your family and your community." (Leonard Sweet, author, The Church of the Perfect Storm and The Gospel According to Starbucks)"For more than three decades, Jimmy Long has worked day in and day out to cultivate leaders. He has mentored dozens of them. Scores of them. Hundreds of them! He watched them, generation by generation, pass through their early adult years as their leadership took form. What he learned from them he kept in critical dialogue with the styles and instincts of their predecessors. I can't imagine anyone in as unique a position to provide the bridges we need for partnership in the midst of contending and changing leadership models alive today in the church." (George R. Hunsberger, professor of missiology, Western Theological Seminary, and coordinator, the Gospel and Our Culture Network)