Susan Beaumont
Rowman & Littlefield, 184 pages
Susan Beaumont has written a primer for leaders in a time of radical unknowing. Never in recent times have church leaders been so compelled to lead in a liminal season. Perhaps it is in the inscrutable providence of God that this book appeared just prior to the advent of the coronavirus pandemic.
Beaumont is perfectly equipped to guide pastors and leaders as they navigate emotional turbulence. Well-known for her organizational knowledge and consulting skills, she has added a deep sense of the theological, emotional and contemplative dimensions of ministry. She is convicted that we are living in a time of radical unknowing — a “liminal season” that requires unique skills from leaders.
Much like the work of Gil Rendle, Ronald Heifetz and others, Beaumont knows we must leave behind models that no longer work for churches. She encourages attention to what some might dismiss and shares multiple stories from congregations going through transitions that come from paying attention to the spirituality of leadership. Leaders must develop skills designed for congregations who, after all, confess to relying upon the presence of God. Rather than look back, what is required is acute listening for God’s guidance as we move into a future that is anything but known. This is a book for just such a time as this.
