Ofensivo y escandaloso

August 1, 2009
Ofensivo y escandaloso. Liderazgo para el nuevo siglo. (Offensive and Scandalous: Leadership for the New Century) De Leon, Jeffrey with Joel Van Dyke. Grupo Nelson, 2009. 218p. ISBN 978-1-60255-153-4. pap. $13.99. RELIGION/MANAGEMENT Each an executive director of an international ministerial organization, these authors have decades of ministerial experience, and De Leon has also served as host of an internationally syndicated radio show. The authors propose a postmodern paradigm of religious leadership, drawing extensively upon the scriptures and their own ministries with gangs and at-risk youth in the United States and Central America. At its core, this model advocates ministering with instead of ministering unto. The authors argue that solving problems for a community represents an outmoded pastoral model and is less effective than working alongside community members, sharing power, raising questions, and listening. They encourage ministers to recognize that the unchanging gospel must be expressed differently according to context and to evangelize courageously by grasping the truth in popular culture. While cleric-centered congregations and ministers preferring other models or not rooted in the Social Gospel theology won't likely agree with the authors and may even be scandalized by some of their suggestions, intrepid ministers will be inspired to implement this paradigm and revitalize their communities. Recommended for theological libraries and Christian bookstores.-Carolyn Kost, Stevenson Sch. Lib., Pebble Beach, CA

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