The Crucibles That Shape Us - by Gayle D Beebe (Hardcover)

About the Book

Life's biggest setbacks and disasters can actually be essential passageways in our relationship with God and opportunities to grow in leadership. In this illuminating guidebook, Gayle D. Beebe identifies seven crucibles--powerful catalysts for transformation--that, when embraced, shape us on our journey and become a bedrock for a better, richer faith.

Book Synopsis

We often see setbacks and disasters as events that keep us from our best life. But they're really opportunities to grow in leadership.

The problem of suffering is a spiritual hurdle for many that disorients us and those we lead. Gayle D. Beebe tackles the existential crisis head-on, revealing that, although we are bewildered at first, these situations ultimately prepare us. Previously viewing these challenges as insurmountable, he has come to recognize them as essential passageways in our relationship with God.

Beebe identifies seven crucibles--powerful catalysts for transformation--that, when embraced, shape us on this profound journey. Each chapter of this book delves into one of the crucibles, which Beebe intimately understands and has personally faced. Amid the realities of life's suffering, use this illuminating guidebook and find how colossal setbacks become a bedrock for a better, richer faith.

Review Quotes

"As a former faculty member and a present trustee at Westmont College, I have witnessed Gayle Beebe's outstanding leadership firsthand. He has skillfully led the college through good times as well as moments of crisis. In The Crucibles That Shape Us he draws on his extensive experience to share his profound wisdom about leadership in a way that will enhance his readers' leadership abilities. This book is a must-read for all who want to grow in their capacity to lead with effectiveness, skill, and compassion."--Tremper Longman III, distinguished scholar and professor emeritus of biblical studies at Westmont College

"Gayle is writing about crucibles here, those difficult life moments . . . that shatter our normal way of seeing. In these moments, because of some tragedy or some betrayal, the normal patterns of life do not pertain. Everything is confusing, in turmoil. The old models don't apply. One has to learn to re-see."--David Brooks, op-ed columnist for the New York Times and commentator on PBS Newshour, from the foreword

"Martin Luther King Jr. said, 'If you can't fly, then run. If you can't run, then walk. If you can't walk, then crawl, but whatever you do, you have to keep moving forward.' King acknowledges that crucible moments are inevitable--and often out of our control. But within our control is how we choose to respond. In The Crucibles That Shape Us, Gayle Beebe calls us to consider how we meet moments of hardship and disruption--what we learn of ourselves, how we might invite God in, and how to embrace triumph on the other side. May we answer the call and keep moving forward, as God gives us grace."--Marcus "Goodie" Goodloe, Martin Luther King Jr. scholar and leadership architect

"The Crucibles That Shape Us combines extraordinarily wide multidisciplinary learning with intense leadership experience and profound interior reflection to guide any interested reader into a deeper and more fruitful life. The seven fiery trials Gayle Beebe describes, through which each of us shall inevitably pass, will surely either shape, scar, or sear us. There's only one person I know who could have written this book, but there are multitudes of us who need to read it."--John Ortberg, pastor and author of Eternity Is Now in Session

"This book is a bravely honest reflection of how leaders can intentionally shape their own crucible moments into a defining moral arc that, in turn, shapes their destiny. The stories and personal accounts told by Gayle Beebe are compelling and truth seeking, always tracking with scriptural principles. This book should be required reading for every faith leader navigating through crisis."--Charity Dean, founder and CEO of PHC Global

About the Author

Gayle D. Beebe (MBA and PhD, Claremont Graduate University) is president of Westmont College in Santa Barbara, California. He is also the author of The Shaping of an Effective Leader and is the coauthor of Longing for God with Richard J. Foster.