How to Lead Well - A Review of Paul David Tripp's "Lead"

Paul David Tripp, Lead: 12 Gospel Principles for Leadership in the Church. Crossway, 2020. 231 pages.

An essential question for anyone in church leadership, whether that be an elder or a member of the church, is what good, faithful, biblical leadership looks like. The elders and other positional leaders of the church must ask this question because it is their responsibility to ensure that they are fulfilling those demands. As an elder myself, it is my responsibility to constantly go back to Scripture and check myself. The members of the church have the responsibility to hold their leaders accountable to the Word of God. Not to be swayed by clever words but to test everything according to the whole counsel of God. I think that this is not a difficult concept to understand for Christians. We understand the importance of Scripture and the importance of faithful teaching, at least, we should. But as we become more comfortable in a leadership position or with a leader who has been in his position for a while, we can start to overlook certain failings. Paul David Tripp recognizes the importance of leadership accountability in his book Lead.

Twelve Principles for Leaders

Tripp opens his introduction by stating, "The foundation of everything proposed in this book about the shape, character, and function of the leadership community of the church of Jesus Christ is this: the model for the community that is the church, and most importantly its leadership, is the gospel of Jesus Christ" (p. 22) I think that this statement, and the ideas that follow from it, really get to the heart of why this is such a great book. There is nothing novel in it. It is the simple truth of the gospel outlined in twelve principles. Again, these are principles that we should already know but have laid aside for one reason or another—principles such as balance, character, and restoration. Theologically and intellectually, we know that there are only 24 hours in a day and seven days in a week, but like Tripp, we often find ourselves wishing for more hours in the day or more days in the week to accomplish all the tasks we have before ourselves. There are two things about this that I think are so important. First is that Tripp is not writting these things as if he is some paragon of wisdom that we all must bow before. He is open and honest throughout the book about his own failings and need for the truths of the book as much as anyone. The second is the reality that as sinful human beings, we struggle, and will continue to struggle, with trusting God to do what he has promised to do.

Character Matters

Again, I think the idea that character is essential for Christian leaders is not something that we have to struggle with. It is a self-evident truth. The problem comes when we begin to let down our guard. Tripp asks, “Have we closed our eyes to certain character deficiencies in a leader because of the effectiveness of his leadership performance?” (p. 105) This idea brings us to another foundational point of Tripp's book: the need for a plurality of leaders. Throughout the book, he uses the phrase leadership community. This plurality of leaders is not simply to spread the burden of leadership around, although that is certainly important, but is put in place by the Lord so that we have accountability and are built up in the Lord. Becoming an elder of the church is not the end of the journey, it is merely the first step on a much longer walk. Character matters at the beginning and throughout the whole journey. The leadership community has the task of keeping a close watch on the character of one another and seeking to grow closer to Christ.

Concluding with Pros and Cons

At this point, it is likely that you are already aware of how much I enjoyed this book. It is an important book for church leaders and members to read. It highlights many of the dangers that leaders can fall into, especially if there is no community around them to keep watch over them. Tripp proves excellent reasoning for the importance of a plurality of elders leading together, as well as foundational elements that we must watch out for. If there is a fault in the work, it is that it is a short book on a very broad topic. You will not find the answer to every question about leading well in the community in this book. It is more introductory than exhaustive. That being said, I do not think that is bad. Tripp is not the guy with all the answers, as he states in the beginning, it is about the gospel. Rest in Christ. Extend grace to one another and hold each other acceptable.