Courageous Leadership

Abstract

As any true leader would expect, it took a team to turn the idea of this book into reality. Valerie Bell did all the heavy lifting in the early days of this challenge. Not only did she pore over hun dreds of pages of handwritten sermon notes, but she also listened with a writer’s ear to new leadership talks I tried out in various settings. She deserves the credit for giving shape to the content of this material. My wife, Lynne, the best editor I have ever known, agreed to do the final edit of the manuscript in exchange for household improvements we should have made long ago. The deal was a no-brainer. My assistant, Jean, always winds up playing a major part in everything I do, and this project was no exception. Jim and Chris Holden provided us with a place to write when it looked like the deadline was going to push our family over the edge. Jim Mellado kept his arm around me, reminding me that this book would really help church leaders. And what can I say about the congregation who has allowed me to stumble and bumble my way toward some degree of leader ship maturity? I owe Willow Creek Community Church a debt I will never be able to pay. It lives out the Acts 2 dream better than any church I have ever seen anywhere in the world. To have been its pastor for twenty-seven years has been an honor for which I have thanked God every single day.