Leading Through Storms - by Geoffrey V Dudley (Paperback)

About the Book

There are times when the isolation and demands of ministry can wear down even the strongest person. In this emergency preparedness kit for Christian leaders, Bishop Geoffrey Dudley weaves together personal narrative, biblical reflection, and leadership theories into skills that will help leaders lean more confidently into their calling.

Book Synopsis

An Emergency Preparedness Kit for Christian Leaders

There are times when the isolation and demands of ministry can wear down even the strongest person.

When the burdens of life and ministry push you to your physical and mental breaking point, how can you lead yourself, let alone others? In Leading Through Storms, Geoffrey Dudley

• weaves together personal narrative, biblical reflection, and leadership theories
• teaches skills that will help leaders lean more confidently into their calling
• focuses on how leaders can lead themselves through crises and challenges that arise throughout life

No one is immune from the storms of leadership and the brokenness they leave in their wake, but Leading Through Storms is the emergency preparedness kit that will keep you anchored.

Review Quotes

"Leading Through Storms is a love letter to every follower of Jesus who understands the call to lead sometimes requires us to lead while limping. Bishop Geoffrey V. Dudley Sr. has provided a masterful 'show and tell' guide that seamlessly weaves biblical texts, business acumen, and bold acts of faith to offer kingdom-building principles for those called to leadership in Christ's church. Bishop Dudley's transparency is rare and refreshing. The emotional vulnerability with which he shares the pinnacles and pitfalls of his church planting journey will provide encouragement to faith-walking leaders for generations to come. I highly recommend this book to everyone who has given God a 'yes, ' understanding that giving up with God is never an option."

Traci D. Blackmon, founder and lead consultant at HopeBuilds, LLC

"Leading Through Storms is unlike any other leadership book I have read. It takes us through the trenches, walking us along the realistic path of struggle as we attempt to lead amidst challenges and uncertainty. Bishop Dudley shares from the heart while helping us to stand firm even as waves of doubt crash around us. This book is for everyone. Highly recommended."

Michael O. Emerson, Chavanne fellow in religion and public policy at Rice University in Houston, Texas, and coauthor of Divided by Faith and the Religion of Whiteness

"Leading Through Storms should be required reading for leaders in ministry, especially new pastors. The challenges are written about in an authentic way that leaves you feeling like Bishop Dudley knows your story and you are not alone. His transparency and vulnerability are rare and a great encouragement."

Angela M. Tate, associate pastor at West Side Missionary Baptist Church in St. Louis, Missouri

"Bishop Dudley captures the essence of academia and application of leadership development theories by using his real life narrative as the lens by which Leading Through Storms causes you to view leadership. He puts the theories of leadership in the test tube of the challenges of ministry, and with each chapter, the Bunsen burner is turned up, and the reader learns how to lead him/herself and to inspire their followers to accomplish the vision of the church."

Joshua D. Henson, associate professor, chair of graduate studies, and director of the MBA program at Southeastern University in Lakeland, Florida

"Bishop Dudley skillfully uncovers the inequities in the church financial world which lead to the excessive stress that senior pastors, especially those of color, must navigate in order to serve their communities. Not only does he expose the racism in the financial space, he survived it to tell about it and give hope and a framework to help others through the minefield of church construction. Read this book so you can walk in the boardroom ready to negotiate and ready to lead in the pulpit."

Kenneth Lewis, CEO of Clearinghouse Advisory Group, Inc.

"It is an honor to compose this endorsement for Leading Through Storms by Bishop Geoffrey V. Dudley. My acquaintance with Bishop Dudley since 1993 has profoundly influenced my family and the church my wife and I lead. Throughout the previous seventeen years, we have observed his adeptness in overcoming adversities. His candor in this book, especially regarding the challenges faced in ministry, provides essential insights for all leaders. Bishop Dudley's narrative exhibits transformational leadership and serves as an essential guide for individuals confronting the challenges of pastoral life."

Mack L. McCullough, senior pastor at Word in Season Ministries

"Leadership is mission critical, especially in a storm. My friend Bishop Geoffrey Dudley draws from his vast life experiences in ministry, military, academia, and relationships in writing Leading Through Storms. No easy platitudes, only well-earned wisdom in multiple storms distilled into pragmatic, actionable steps. You'll understand yourself and your storm and come out stronger."

Sam Chand, leadership consultant and author of Leadership Pain: The Classroom for Growth

"There are a plethora of definitions for leadership and thousands of books on shelves in major bookstores. Leading Through Storms is a great tool for leaders that are marketplace secular thinkers as well as many who are vital voices in the sacred community. The concept of the core team of our ministries that helps navigate times of uncertain 'space' moments is relevant to current times. Bishop Dudley has merged his scholarly insights and life experiences that prepare every leader for the chaos when people jump ship and to be okay to ask for help after the storm!"

Wanda Frazier-Parker, co-pastor at Truth Tabernacle Ministries

"This is a powerful leadership book marinated in a painful personal narrative. It is well-crafted, helpful, and honest. It is also raw, compelling, and unsettling. But most of all, it is intrinsically hopeful."

Shane L. Bishop, senior pastor of Christ Church in Fairview Heights, Illinois, and author of That's Good News, The Ping Life, and the Trail Guide Series

"Written with an unparalleled level of honesty, the narrative of his leadership journey is a story that will equip leaders for the storms that arise in ministry be it megachurch Visionaire or senior pastor of a storefront church."

WalterScott Thomas, senior pastor, New Psalmist Baptist Church in Baltimore, Maryland, from the foreword

About the Author

Bishop Geoffrey V. Dudley Sr. (PhD, Regent) is the founding and senior pastor of New Life in Christ Church, one of the fastest growing churches in the Metro East area of St. Louis, Missouri (O'Fallon, Illinois). Originally from Goldsboro, North Carolina, Dudley began ministry at the age of thirteen, was ordained by the United Holy Church of America in 1986, and is a retired Air Force chaplain and lieutenant colonel. He is also the CEO of iLead Enterprises, a leadership development platform for staff and workforce development. He and his wife, Glenda, have two adult children who are both ministry leaders.