Leading from the Second Chair

This book addresses the unique challenges faced by secondary Church leaders, offering practical advice on fulfilling and successful service. Church leaders who hold second chair positions are under tremendous pressure. They are expected to do their jobs and provide leadership while deferring to the top leader’s decisions and preferences. It's a constant balancing act where the challenges often go unrecognized. Leading from the Second Chair offers an invaluable resource to leaders who serve in second (and third or fourth) chair roles, enabling them to become more productive, proactive, and fulfilled. Mike Bonem and Roger Patterson share their own and others' experiences of failure and success in these vital roles. They offer support and practical advice for reshaping the way second chair leaders can serve well and improve the overall performance of their church or organization. Leading from the Second Chair equips readers with the positive attitudes, skills, and strategies needed to become powerful leaders who will survive and thrive in God's service.

LEADING FROM THE SECOND CHAIR will raise awareness of the need forstrong leaders in secondary positions. It will describe the valuethey can bring to their organization and to primary leaders whenthey are serving at their full potential. It will reshape the waythey view their role, with an emphasis on their own responsibilityas leaders. It recognizes the unique challenges and frustrations ofserving in a subordinate position and equips these leaders with theattitudes and skills that they will need to survive and thrive inthis new paradigm.Because of the scarcity of resources for second chair leaders,particularly those in the church, this book will offer a practicalway to improve the performance of any organization. LeadingCongregational Change discussed the importance of a "visioncommunity"--a diverse group of key members who discern andimplement the vision for a congregation--to guide thetransformation of a church. This work will extend the theme of anempowered leadership team as we explore how individual clergy andlaity can lead effectively.

About Leadership Network viiForeword ixGreg L. HawkinsPreface xi1. Living in the Paradoxes 12. Am I a Second Chair Leader? 11The First Paradox Subordinate-Leader3. Taking It from the Top 274. Crossing the Line 43A Word to First Chairs on the Subordinate-Leader Paradox 61The Second Paradox Deep-Wide5. A Matter of Perspective 716. Building the Team . . . One Relationship at a Time 837. Putting It into Practice 98A Word to First Chairs on the Deep-Wide Paradox 111The Third Paradox Contentment-Dreaming8. Contentment in the Second Chair 1219. Dreaming in the Second Chair 13610. Leaving the Second Chair 151A Word to First Chairs on the Contentment-Dreaming Paradox 164Epilogue 169The People Behind the Stories: Profiles of Second Chair Leaders 171Bibliography 177Acknowledgments 179About the Authors 181Index 183