The Longview: Lasting Strategies for Rising Leaders
Roger Parrott, Ph.D.
David C. Cook, 2009, 224 pp., $16.99, DavidCCook.com
The church often looks too much like ordinary society. Parrott believes Christian leaders have bought into the ideas of quick fixes and short-term gains that are so prevalent in the business world. Christians might verbally commit to what Parrott calls “longview goals” but are still swept into practically focusing on initiatives for ministry that are more easily measured immediately.
With bold phrases such as, “Policies are for cowards” and “Planning will drain the life from your ministry,” The Longview challenges the status quo of ministry leadership. A longview leader will see things differently because he or she will lead as if his or her role will last forever.
Parrott lays out details about how to develop a long-term perspective as a leader. Most of the book takes a large-scale ministry viewpoint and directly relates to personnel issues, board meetings and business dealings making it valuable for ministries with a corporate hierarchy.
