The Church is in crisis. Across the West, scandals, abuse, and declining congregations have shattered its reputation. Witnessing to non-believers has never been more challenging, when Christians must defend their faith from accusations of duplicity and disgrace. Some churches are even shutting their doors for good, feeling redundant in a new era of self-love.
But there is hope. A new brand of leader is emerging. These leaders are holy, hungry, and humble. They are answering the call to return to the cruciform way—a leadership style rooted in the sacrificial, cross-shaped example of Jesus and the first apostles. It is not that people are no longer looking for God, it is that the internet generation requires a new approach. One that is more transparent, authentic and captivating to the lost.
From the author of Luminous Dark comes a bold, unflinching book that exposes the leadership failures of the Church and unveils the solution: cruciform leadership. Alain doesn’t hold back, challenging leaders to reflect the servant-hearted nature of Jesus and the unity and humility of the apostles. This is a call to radical, sacrificial leadership that has the power to spark a Spirit-led transformation in the Church and the world.
‘Our culture is experiencing a crisis of leadership just when we need it most. We elect braggards and bullies, put narcissists on pedestals then kick away the legs, nurse wounds of coercion – even (especially?) in the church – and in our pain resent and reject the very notion of leadership itself. In this timely book, a seasoned pastor depicts another kind of leadership, marked by the cross. Learning lessons from the greatest leader of all time, this is a message of healing and hope for those who aspire to lead with the counter-cultural humility and defiant kindness of Jesus.’
Pete Greig
Alain Emerson is Director of 24-7 Prayer Communities Network, and Lead Pastor at Emmanuel Church, a thriving young church in Lurgan, Northern Ireland. He also oversees the Tobar Network, and has a passion to see God do a ‘new thing’ in Ireland. He is married to Rachel and father to Annie, Erin and Finn. He is a former Irish league footballer who now enjoys watching sport rather than playing it, especially the mighty Liverpool! He enjoys hanging out with friends, reading and helping his wife run a dental practice.
