Reviews

See all my reviews on Amazon.com
See menu of all book reviews on this site

I received this as a gift from one of the authors. This study guide was a good review of the theme after having the basic seminar, and two annual followup conferences, plus other on-going readings.

Corporate Implementation
This program has become a training tool growing throughout corporate America, according to reports I saw.  When I was working in Richmond, Virginia, in 2003 or 2004, our work team went through the three-day seminar.  Our agency was systematically providing the workshop for each work group in the company.  The whole staff attended teleconference followups every few months.

The basic seminar-workshop was a good experience.  The format and practical application were very good.  The workshop included discussion of relationships, working styles, understandings of authority and responsibility and a look at examples from the Gospels on encounters of Jesus with his disciples and others.

Elementary
But I remember thinking at the time how simple and elementary this was.  I marveled and was puzzled that reports indicated this program was a revolutionary approach to work and interpersonal relationships.  Even for churches and Christian organizations.  The principles outlines and dealt with were very basic, things I remember learning as a child, at home and in Sunday School.

This manual was a good review after having the basic seminar, and two annual followup conferences, plus other on-going readings.  One thing that strikes me again about this is how basic and simple it is.  It is somewhat puzzling that it seemed necessary for such a basic level to be given so much emphasis.  All the programmatic approaches, structures and activities seem to distract from what seems to me to be a natural, deep level of intimacy with God and an active relational, enabling leadership.

Reading the Gospels
It was amazing that this program has been introduced now into Christian corporations, mission agencies and churches.  Do Christians and church leaders not read the Gospels anymore?  These things were obvious to me long ago just from reading the stories of Jesus and seeing how he handled situations, how he related to people.

From early years I thought I was supposed to actually observe what Jesus did and listen to what he taught, then try to do it.  When such a basic focus seems to be so wonderful and novel, it makes me wonder what people are learning in their churches these days.

Do they actually study Jesus teachings?  Do they actually study the events of his life and his encounters with people in the reported events?  We should already know this, just from reading the gospels.

See this book on Amazon.com.
See all my reviews on Amazon.com
See menu of all formal book reviews on this site
See my reading lists
Many other books have review notes with the reading list entry

OBJ

First reading notes written 4 July 2005
Review posted on Amazon.com 30 July 2005
This more extensive review finalized and posted on OJTR 30 November 2007

Copyright © 2007 Orville Boyd Jenkins
Permission granted for free download and transmission for personal or educational use.  Other rights reserved.

filename:  blanchardleadlikejesus.html