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Contents
Abstract .......................................................................................................................................... 1
Concrete Response ........................................................................................................................ 3
Reflection ....................................................................................................................................... 4
Action ............................................................................................................................................. 5
Bibliography .................................................................................................................................. 7
1
Abstract
In the book, The Three-Dimensional Leader, Dempsey, Earley, and McClendon explore
the various dimensions of Christian leadership; biblical character, spiritual power, and practical
methods. Biblical characteristics that are essential for Christian leaders are the focus in the first
part of the book. The authors effectively communicate God’s heart for leadership and the heart
he desires for the Christian leader.1 The point is clearly made that true biblical leadership begins
in the home (1 Timothy 3:1-5). Faithfulness, integrity, and respectability are put forth as
important traits for leaders to possess. The weight and the impact of godly leadership is stressed;
giving the reader a clear understanding of why character matters before God and mankind, and
the great responsibility one bears when leading others. Also stressed is the need to be strategic
yet still possess pure motives which are driven for the glory of God (over self-interest) and for
the good of others.2
The second part of the book gives special attention to the work of the Holy Spirit and the
importance and impact of being completely surrendered to his guidance for effective biblical
leadership. It is noted that, “Spiritual leadership is dependent on the Holy Spirit.”3 The authors
spend a considerable amount of time relating the role of the Holy Spirit in the life of the
Christian. In addition, the importance of the spiritual disciplines of prayer and Bible reading are
highlighted. The point is driven home of a leader first leading himself/herself by engaging daily
1 Dempsey, Earley, and McClendon, The Three-Dimensional Leader: A Biblical, Spiritual, and Practical
Guide to Christian Leadership, 7.
2 Ibid.
3 Ibid., 64.
2
in Bible reading and prayer.4 Several principles of effective Bible reading are demonstrated. The
importance of centering one’s life on the Scripture is well communicated. The authors also focus
on the biblical leader being knowledgeable regarding the kingdom of God, as well as the
kingdom of darkness.5 As Christian leaders “God’s kingdom is to be foundational to their
decision-making, central in their behavior, and primary in their pursuits.”6 Many practical steps
are given on how to become a kingdom leader, as well as very detailed (and much needed)
instructions on successfully engaging the enemy in spiritual warfare.
The last part of the book deals with practical methods for leadership. The “essential tools
of vision, planning, goals, and teamwork” are extensively reviewed.7 The health of the body of
Christ by means of discipleship is thoroughly explained. The use of spiritual gifts and practicing
spiritual disciplines (in a biblical community) is greatly emphasized.
Effective biblical leadership is something that can and should be measured. Throughout
the book, the authors make it abundantly clear that Christian leadership must be biblical,
spiritual, and practical. The questions at the end of each chapter are often convicting and always
thought-provoking. Having the knowledge provided in this book will greatly aid the biblical
leader in his or her endeavor to glorify God and serve others with their spiritual and natural gifts
(including leadership). From the reader’s perspective, every tool an individual needs to succeed
in Christian leadership is categorically discussed in, The Three-Dimensional Leader.
4 Ibid., 82.
5 Ibid., 104.
6 Ibid., 105.
7 Ibid., 141.
3
Concrete Response
Chapter 8 of the book focuses on engaging in spiritual warfare. While reading this
chapter, the personal life experience that was triggered in my memory actually happened more
than twenty-eight years ago. At that time, I had been married about a year and was a new
member of my husband’s family church. Because my church background was significantly
different from the denomination I was now a part of, I understood that there would be differences
of opinions. However, within a very short period of time, I realized just how hostile, legalistic,
and ungodly some believers can get in regard to their views on Christianity. Although I had been
saved for a few years, I did not know much about the significance of spiritual warfare. I knew 2
Corinthians 10:4 by heart, but it didn’t mean much to me.
In spite of the opposition I was encountering in the church (even by leadership) I was
totally committed to advancing God’s kingdom by evangelizing, discipling, and teaching Sunday
school as well as a weekly Bible study. As a result, the church had almost doubled in a short
period of time. This should have been a time of great celebration, instead, it turned into one of
my worst nightmares! I began to get recurring headaches that soon turned into migraines. After
being hospitalized as a result, a mature Christian friend called to check on me. I remember telling
her how I loved being married and doing the work of the Lord but hated being constantly
plagued by debilitating headaches. Her immediate response was, “You are under spiritual attack
because the devil does not like the progress that’s being made in the church.” Later God revealed
to me what was happening in the spiritual realm (and my need to access the power of prayer and
fasting to combat it). I started my first forty-day fast shortly after and began to pray several hours
a day. Within no time, the headaches stopped, and the church continued to grow both spiritually
and naturally! To God be the glory! Soli Deo gloria!
4
Reflection
What bothered me most about the book, was its lack of stories/examples of ordinary,
everyday people who God uses to be effective leaders (yet not well known “famous leaders”). In
chapter after chapter, great leaders were set forth as examples, such as Henrietta Mears, “One of
the greatest leaders and Bible teachers of the last century…”8 All were extraordinarily gifted,
however, most of the book’s readers will never see that level of leadership or gifting in their own
personal life or ministry. It would have been more appealing to someone in my field of ministry
in the local church, if more stories were used of ordinary people doing extraordinary things; yet,
they are not famous, and never will be. The story related by Dave Earley in chapter 6, “A Bible
for Everyone,” is a good example of an ordinary person using his God-given leadership skills to
orchestrate a plan to bring unbelieving new hires in his business, under the influence of the Word
of God.9 I believe that this story is one that most leaders can relate to. Also in some ways, the
authors made things appear simpler than it actually is in the life of most leaders.
There are several questions that came to mind while reading: “How do so many well-
known Christian leaders lack in biblical character yet remain effective for so long?” and “How
much of a person’s effectiveness is based on God’s calling and grace, as opposed to their own
faithfulness in maintaining spiritual disciplines?” One of the main questions that kept popping up
for me was, “What does the individual do when he or she feels that they are practicing all the
spiritual disciplines and principles, yet are not seeing fruitful results?” The authors could have
talked more about the ups and downs of Christian leadership, even when all the right things are
being done; the apostle Paul is a great example.
8 Ibid., 81.
9 Ibid., 97.
5
Action
After reading, “The Three-Dimensional Leader,” I have truly been inspired to implement
several spiritual disciplines that I have practiced at various times in my over thirty-five years of
salvation and thirty-plus years of ministry. I can honestly say that I am excited about the new
spiritual journey that I am about to embark upon. Moreover, I have thoroughly enjoyed reading
the book, and I believe that God has used it to remind me of some of the things I used to do when
I first started out in ministry. He has also introduced me to some new things that I can hardly
wait to experience.
As stated before, early on in my ministry, I learned about the power of prayer (especially
as it relates to spiritual warfare). Because I consider myself a “spiritual warrior,” my primary
prayer time for the last couple of decades has been between the hours of 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. But
as I was reading this book, I could clearly sense the Holy Spirit shifting me into 6 a.m. prayer. I
am reminded of Proverbs 8:17 which states, “I love them that love me; and those that seek me
early shall find me” (KJV). Because my usual bedtime hours are after 3 a.m., I plan to decrease
the time I get to bed by one hour each night over the next week (until I can get to bed by 10 p.m.
and rise at 6 a.m. for “morning glory prayer”). At first I did not remember ever praying that early
in the morning (and was a bit anxious!) but the Holy Spirit reminded me that over twenty-three
years ago, I used to pray at 6 a.m. for a season. Now, I am truly anticipating doing it again!
Fasting is the other spiritual discipline that I currently practice, but that needs to be
“revamped.” Since learning of the benefits of fasting early on in my spiritual walk, I have
regularly gone on various types of fasts. Everything from a seven-day dry fast (no water/no food)
to a ten-day water only fast, to longer fasts of twenty-one, thirty, and forty days (water/juice
only). In addition, my husband and I fast each Tuesday. While reading this book, I felt compelled
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to add another day to my weekly fast schedule. Wednesday and Friday were the days in which
the early church leaders fasted.10 Epiphanius, an early church father, asked rhetorically, “Who
does not know that the fast of the fourth and sixth days of the week (Wednesday and Friday) are
observed by Christians throughout the world.”11 I am the first to admit that I did not know this.
Now that I do know, I will be implementing Wednesday and Friday as fasts days beginning this
week.
Lastly, from the beginning of my early salvation experience, I have always been actively
involved with discipling others. Over the past year (for various reasons) I have not been as active
in this area as I used to be. Over the next six months, I will be personally discipling at least two
women, who in turn will be discipling others. We will meet each week (Thursdays at 6 p.m.) for
Bible study, prayer, encouragement, and accountability. Additionally, we will meet once a month
to serve others (i.e. in a soup kitchen, nursing home, halfway house, women’s shelter, etc.). I
agree wholeheartedly with Dempsey, Earley, and McClendon, “Ultimately, kingdom leadership
revolves around making disciples for King Jesus.”12
10 Ibid., 135.
11 Ibid.
12 Ibid., 177.
