Follow Me to Freedom: Leading as an Ordinary Radical [Englisch] [Taschenbuch]

John Perkins and Shane Claiborne are two of my heroes. Well-known social activists, they are also modern-day prophets. John is an African-American Christian who was active in the civil-rights movement, later founding the Christian Community Development Association (CCDA). Shane has been described as a contemporary John the Baptist--right down to the scraggly hair, home-made clothes, and radical lifestyle. Both men, following the great Biblical prophets, call people to repent, love the poor, and embrace a life of simplicity. Their faith isn't merely an interior piety, but is embodied through compassionate, radical lifestyles.

John and Shane have dialogued about leadership and social justice over the years, and this eventually led to the publication of "Follow Me to Freedom" (Regal Books, 214 pages, paperback). Social justice and leadership are the book's main themes, but the content isn't somber as those subjects may seem. Reading John and Shane's dialogues is like sitting on the front porch with two close friends, rather than listening to a lecture in a sterile classroom. The tone is informal, as jokes are cracked throughout the pages.

This light tone helps balance the book's difficult message. Encouragement to "love as Jesus loves" often leads to guilt, but Shane and John avoid condemnation. Instead of decrying your current lifestyle, they present an alluring vision for what it could be. In their discussions they guide you toward a radical lifestyle through fascination.

The dialogue in "Follow Me to Freedom" is mainly practical, although there is some theology and history scattered throughout. John and Shane don't just tell you how to live; they show you through their stories. Like any good conversation, this book is filled with anecdotes describing the ups and downs of each man's journey. From arrests for civil disobedience, to living in intentional community, John and Shane describe many wild tales.

"Follow Me to Freedom" is split into eighteen conversations, each conversation revolving around a particular topic. Two of my favorite discussions revolve around the lure of power and the necessity of humility. Even a leader pursuing a good cause can succumb to power's allure, so humility is a necessity. John and Shane explain how leading and following as an ordinary radical aren't the means toward glory, but the result of humble obedience toward God.

I also appreciated the book's advice aimed at younger social justice leaders. A half-century after the civil-rights struggles of the 1960's, John notes the need for "new Moses's" to rise up from within the young-adult generation to lead a "new Exodus".

While this particular advice resonated within me, I think it may also contain my one misgiving with the book. "Follow Me to Freedom" seems aimed at such a small, distinct audience. I think 20-and-30-something Christians already passionate about social justice will love this book, but I question whether others will find it as rich. The book seems written as encouragement to someone who has already taken a few steps down this road. If the pursuit of Christian justice is new to you--or something that you don't feel particularly drawn to--I don't think "Follow Me to Freedom" would be a good introduction. For a more introductory guide to a justice-filled life, I would recommend any of Shane's earlier books, especially "Irresistible Revolution".

If you want to lead in the battles against modern injustice, pick up this book and join in the conversation. May "Follow Me to Freedom" ignite the prophet within.

Most books used in church leadership today come from the market place, which can work, but this book is laser focused on church leadership. To me, most of the other leadership books drift away from being the church and find their strongest points in small circles of leadership that take place behind closed doors. This book, by two people leading from the streets, takes us into the hearts and lives of the people who desire to be the church if the church would just lead. The reader is invited to be a great, learned follower as we learn to be a great leader. Who we are following is as important, and can be more important, than who we are leading.

Shane and John take you right into their context with personal stories, which help give the reader very practical insights and lessons for our own church communities. You will find leadership in a grassroots way, living among the people and yet constantly empowering the people to learn to lead. For myself, leading in an impoverished, small church, this was a much needed read. In a time when it is sort of the trendy thing to do, church planting in an impoverished area, John and Shane call churches far beyond trends and into the grittiness of deep leadership. This book helps remove the rock star pastor from authority and moves them in with the people, where leadership can be raw and painful, but so necessary. More than in the highs and lows, leadership takes place in what seems mundane, the daily journey with people.

I would recommend that this book be placed in the hands of each person considering church planting, or any church leader who is looking to take their church out of the palace and into the streets. John and Shane's knowledge and experience is honest, helpful, and at times painful in stripping you of pride. Freedom indeed.

This is simply a beautiful book. I'm starting the process to become an ordained minister and I read this book. It has encouragedm me and challenged me to be a better leader so I can then become a better pastor. I felt I was getting a clear image of Jesus' heart as I read this conversation. Amazing. Truly a must read for anyone in a leadership position.