Leadership diagrams to help you lead yourself, others, projects and church life  

Understanding the power of a properly understood diagram in his ministry, Chris Frost searched for a Christian leadership book that primarily utilised diagrams. Not finding anything, he created one with his brother Andy. He introduces it here 

 
In the midst of a serious church leadership crisis, unsure of what to do, I dragged myself out to walk and pray, calling on God to give me wisdom.

The answer came much quicker than I expected.

Stopping for a sandwich, I struck up a conversation with the chap sitting next to me. It turned out this guy was a professional leadership coach and a committed Christian. Following a bold request, he gifted me several sessions of tailored input that proved invaluable. I still refer to a diagram he drew about understanding conflict approaches today. 
 
As church leaders, our theological and spiritual training, although essential, often leaves us like me in the crisis, with many unanswered leadership questions; How do I handle conflict? How do I manage my time? How do I build robust teams? How do I negotiate well? How do I communicate and implement a vision? 
 
Over the 20 plus years of our leadership journeys, my brother Andy and I, whenever we have met up, have traded newly created or discovered leadership diagrams. We’ve consistently found that in our visually based and time-poor culture, diagrams are indispensable for effective communication; they summarise principles that remain memorable. If a picture paints a thousand words, just imagine what a properly understood diagram can do! Frequently serving leaders with training, and together completing three master’s degrees on leadership, we’ve had plenty to share.  
Seeking to outdo my brother, I searched for a Christian leadership book that primarily utilised diagrams, but to my shock, one didn’t exist. It was then that our idea and commitment to create the book Leadiagrams: 52 visuals to help you thrive in your faith and lead effectively was born.  
 
Over the next 18 months we brought together all the leadership diagrams we’d created or found useful from thinkers in emotional and spiritual health, theology, business and mission. With our publisher 100M, we assembled the 52 best to provide a year’s worth of weekly leadership diagrams. We split these into four sections: Leading Yourself, Leading Others, Leading Projects and Leading Church Life. 
 
We then unpacked each diagram into segments:

• Setting the Scene – providing a context for understanding the significance of the diagram;
• What’s the Big Idea? – explaining the main concept that the diagram summarises;
• Thinking Biblically – applying a biblical lens through which to understand the diagram;
• How Do I Apply It? – outlining how the idea can be implemented; Questions for Reflection – provoking further personal thought;
• and Go Further – signposting towards the original or related material for deeper understanding. 

 
The feedback has encouraged us in our hope that Leadiagrams will strengthen the body of Christ, as its leaders are equipped with practical leadership tools:  
 
‘This could be the most useful Christian leadership reference book ever!’ Jill Garrett, executive director, Tentpeg Consulting.  
 
‘An absolute must-read for anyone in Christian leadership.' Gavin Calver, CEO Evangelical Alliance.  
 
‘A goldmine of leadership nuggets captured in one book!’ Dr. Craig Sider, founder, inFOCUS Leadership.  
 
‘An entire library of wisdom.’ Revd Canon J.John.  
 
‘An invaluable resource for forming and equipping Christian leaders’ Revd Professor David Wilkinson, Principal, St John’s College, Durham University.  

 
Leadiagrams: 52 Visuals to Help You Thrive in Your Faith and Lead Effectively is available direct from Share Jesus sharejesusinternational.com/leadiagrams or via other outlets.

To access a taster, visit Amazon where the first diagram is available.
 

Chris Frost is the lead elder at Gateway Church, Leeds. He serves leaders more widely as the UK team leader for ChristCentral churches. He has an MA in Mission and Leadership, an MSc in Senior Leadership and is a chartered manager. 
 
Andy Frost is the director of Share Jesus International, the chair of the London Mission Collective and joint CEO of Gather Movement. He has an MA in applied theology, has authored a number of books and presented the Jesus Series. 

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