Defibrillation: Avoiding and Returning from Spiritual Cardiac Arrest

A Work of Heart: Understanding How God Shapes Spiritual Leaders by Reggie McNeal (2000) offers guidance for spiritual leaders on how to avoid spiritual “cardiac arrest” and if it does occur, how you can return from it stronger than before. The book appeals to our innermost desire to fulfill God’s calling on our lives while being a strong leader in our ministries, homes and other relationships. McNeal begins the book by reviewing how God shaped the hearts and lives on some of the greatest biblical leaders: Moses, David, Paul and Jesus. This review is to familiarize people so that the references made in the latter parts of the book make sense. The second section of the book connects the former part of the book to modern day “heart-shaping” experiences. McNeal poses questions for leaders so that they can evaluate their effectiveness and avoid “heart-blockages”. He also discusses the ever-changing needs of churches and church-goers; he offers evidence as to how the needs are changing and advice on how to allow God in to shape our hearts.

The section entitled, “How God Shaped Moses, David, Paul and Jesus for Leadership” (McNeal, 2000, p.1) discusses how the different experiences that each of these leaders had shaped them into exactly who they needed to be. McNeal’s descriptions of these leaders experiences are biblically-rooted and do have scriptural support but do also contain opinions, illustrations or personal interpretations that the author personally carries. Speaking about David, McNeal says this:

David also was not above self-congratulations in the psalms. He exulted in his own performance: ‘Vindicate me, O Lord, for I have led a blameless life’ (26:1). He was also quick to admit his failures and to beg for mercy: ‘O Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger or discipline me in your wrath’ (38:1).

In short, David’s psalms are chatty, reflective, celebratory, morose, lofty, punitive, hopeful, dark, loud, quiet-whatever state or states of mind David found himself in as he came to God (McNeal, 2000, p. 33).

While the former section was based on biblical leaders, this section, “Recognizing God’s Shaping in Our Lives” is focused on individuals in the present day. This part of the book is biblically rooted with a modern day twist. It does contain some scriptural references but it is largely filled with “commonplace” Christian leaders sharing their struggles and triumphs. McNeal shares these stories to make the book relatable and also to serve as parables; stories that will share lessons. An experience that someone else has that we can learn from and while the people he speaks about in the latter part of the book aren’t biblical figures they are Christian leaders living in today’s times with real struggles that we can all relate to. He is using the gift of wise advice as talked about in 1 Corinthians 12:8 (NIV, 2002).

The book is then broken down into alliterated subsections that ask tough “heart shaping” questions (McNeal, 2000, p. 92-93, 113, 136, 153, 174 and 186 or 188-191) that are absolutely necessary yet commonly avoided. He asks the hard questions that cause us to evaluate ourselves. For example, McNeal asks, “Do you have regular dates or coaching sessions with God?” (McNeal, 2000, p. 153). He offers us thoughts to bear in mind when making excuses, he talks about marriage and how it is similar to the relationship we have with God, we need to be intentional about our relationship, if we don’t put the time in to go on dates our relationships with suffer greatly (McNeal, 2000, p. 144). He then offers some solutions on how to make “God time” a priority,

Some will enjoy stimulating a conversation with God through print media…Some enjoy music to establish the mood and drown out some noises of the outside world, so that their spirit can listen for God. Outdoor walks to admire God’s handiwork can serve as discussion starters. Some leaders keep journals of their thoughts and find it easier to hear God through writing their impressions (McNeal, 2000, p.148).

McNeal spends time focusing on the generational changes that have occurred over time; he is determined to connect the traditional church and the modern church. He talks about how important it is for leaders in ministry to evaluate their constituents and target demographic and what their desires and needs are in having a relationship with God yet not forgetting that ultimately we have “Audience of One”(McNeal, 2000, p. 111-113). A similar concept was covered in a recent lecture given by Dr. Scott Edgar when he discussed the dynamics of having vertical and horizontal relationships to spiritually mature (Crown College lecture, 2010). We need to take part in community and go beyond following biblical rules; we need to go beyond the walls of our homes and our churches to reach the “pre-Christians” as termed by McNeal.

He points out that younger generations aren’t worried as much about the church building but more about the experience and relationship with God. McNeal mentioned that during a seminary class he was teaching “Generation Xers” clashed with older generations as they expressed their desire for community and said, “I adopt the church as my family,” while the elders were offended at the church constituents being called a “church family” (McNeal, 2000, p. 82-85). The younger generation, as described by McNeal, seems to live as described in Acts 2: 44-45, “All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need” (NIV, 2002).

McNeal challenges the readers to allow God to transform their hearts but I fear that some traditional thinkers may feel the book speculates too much and pushes the bar a little too far at times. McNeal spends time sharing how he believes Jesus shaped the hearts of Moses, David, Paul and Jesus. He advises individuals on how to revive themselves and apply the principles of culture, call, community, communion and commonplace into our lives. He also attempts to tie the growing divide in generations and how we, as leaders, need to connect the traditional and modern church. This book gives us tools and supplies us with important re-assurance that we will inevitably need at some time in our careers. God supplies everything in and around us; He is the defibrillation that our ill-hearts need.

References

Edgar, Scott. Crown College lecture. 2010.

McNeal, Reggie. 2000. A Work of Heart: Understanding How God Shapes Spiritual Leaders. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass : A Wiley Imprint.

Scripture Quotations taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV. 2002.


People also view

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *