Everyone in a position of responsibility knows the tension of leadership. It may be between tasks or people, money or mission, the present or the future. One often neglected tension is between our inner spiritual longings and the outward needs ofthe group we lead.But we need not feel forced to choose between the two. Leadership has more in common with an ellipse with two focal points than a bull's-eye with a single target. The Leadership Ellipse is designed to help Christian leadersembrace both halves of the tension--our internal relationship with God and our external relationship with others--to find a truly authentic, integrated way to lead.If you find yourself in a lonely, isolated place of leadership, this book can be yourcompanion. If you find yourself longing to lead in a way that is truly Christian, this book can be your guide. And if you are simply exhausted, then this book can offer you a new way to find refreshment. There is life beyond the bull's-eye.



Robert A. (Bob) Fryling is publisher of InterVarsity Press (Westmont, Illinois) and Vice President of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship (Madison, Wisconsin). He writes, speaks and teaches in the areas of spiritual formation, leadership, Christianfaith and culture. He lives in Illinois with his wife, Alice, an author and spiritual director. Together they have co-authored three books.







Eugene H. Peterson (1932–2018) was a pastor, scholar, author, and poet. He wrote more than thirty books, including his widely acclaimed paraphrase of the Bible, The Message; his memoir, The Pastor; and numerous works of biblicalspiritual formation, including Run with the Horses and Traveling Light.



Introduction



Part One: Shaping Our Inner World

1 A Weaned Soul: The Practice of Sabbath

2 A Growing Strength: The Practice of Pruning

3 A Renewed Mind: The Practice of Humble Thought

4 A Dancing Heart: The Practice of Involvement



Part Two: Shaping Our Outer World

5 In a Frenzied World: The Perspective of Prayer

6 In a Lonely World: The Promise of Belonging

7 In a Fragmented World: The Pursuit of Shalom



Part Three: Shaping Our Leadership

8 As More Than a Grasshopper: The Practice of Wholeheartedness

9 As an Organizational Ecologist: The Practice of Attentiveness

10 As a Grateful Creature: The Practice ofClarity



Epilogue

Appendix: InterVarsity Press Purpose and Values Statement

Questions for Contemplation and Action

Acknowledgments

Notes

Recommended Reading