Book Reviews

Too often, the words "transformational" and "leader" do not deserve to be used in the same sentence. Much of what passes for leadership is better described as manipulative or self-serving or maintenance. Chuck Bugg has given us a workable blueprint for the kind of leadership we desperately need. Combining excellent scholarship with real-life examples, he describes an extraordinarily healthy model of leading that could make a significant difference among clergy in our churches. Read this book and then translate its principles into your heart , soul, and practice, and you will find transformation the result. Thank you, Chuck, for a clear vision of how to truly be a transformational leader!

—William G. Wilson, D.Min
President, The Center for Congregational Heath

Chuck Bugg has written a significant book for congregational and institutional leaders. It is full of wisdom and wit. From the beginning to the end it has personal, spiritual and theological integrity. I especially appreciated the way Chuck combined insights from his own experience, Scripture and current "secular" literature to instruct and encourage us to become transformative leaders.

—Daniel Vestal
Executive Coordinator
Cooperative Baptist Fellowship

Dr. Charles Bugg offers a crisp and thoughtful study of leadership as it relates to Christians in the 21st century. Based on his deep theological training, scholarly accomplishments and extensive experience leading a divinity school and many churches, Bugg articulates a new conception of transformational leadership. In the author’s words, Transformational Leadership is the call to a journey—a journey in which we are continuously changed by God and in which we call others to make a positive difference in the world.

Between the covers of the book, Bugg makes himself vulnerable through confession. The author writes out of his strengths and knowledge of the subject of leadership, and also out of his weaknesses and errors of experience as parishioner and pastor of the Christian Church, and as student and teacher of preaching and of the Bible. This study of such a journey toward change, both inward and in community, in actuality is a calling from God to change our world. At the very core of the author’s words is his trust in God and faith in others. Bugg’s study culminates where each of our journeys connect—in following Jesus Christ, the great leader of our faith, in transforming lives.

—Rev. Deborah Gaddis Reeves