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Normal, Imperfect Heroes

The 'failures' God used to teach us about leadership

Normal, Imperfect Heroes

The 'failures' God used to teach us about leadership

This item is available to order.
Please allow 2-3 weeks for delivery.

Paperback / softback

£12.99

Publisher: SPCK Publishing
ISBN: 9780281090983
Number of Pages: 224
Published: 20/03/2025
Width: 12.9 cm
Height: 19.8 cm
No one doubts that we are all flawed people, but in our social-media driven, polarized society, we often fall into the trap of categorising people as wholly good or wholly bad. In reality, everyone is a mix of the two. What's more, we realise that God loves and calls people in spite of their faults and failings, and that we're still not 'good' enough to qualify. Drawing on years of careful study and pastoral ministry, Bishop of Plymouth James Grier reveals the ways in which the heroes of scripture are more like us than we realise, with both their God-given strengths and profound weaknesses. The book is in four parts: exploring the beginning of leadership in Genesis, through Moses, the first two Kings and finally Jesus' apostles. Bishop James, along with his wife Liz, adds to this teaching with insights and anecdotes from their own experiences. This is a book for anyone who is trying, with varying degrees of success, to follow Jesus, whether as a leader or simply as a follower. It will offer reassurance to those who have been shaken by the failure of a leader, aspire to step into leadership themselves or are just trying to lead where they are. It asks questions of our hearts and attitudes, and it provides practical encouragement as we seek to follow God and become more like him, despite our shortcomings.
Prologue - How this book came about and how it became a collaboration between James and Liz - Introduction to the authors and qualifying statements Introduction - What it's all about and what you will take from reading it/how you will feel having read it - Any other advice for how to digest and wrestle with the topics in the book Part 1 - The Beginnings of Leadership - Abraham - The Father of Faith - Abraham was known as the father of faith yet even he faltered in his faith maybe there's hope for the rest of us. - Jacob - The hustler - Joseph - Favourite child, least favourite sibling Part 2 - The Prince of Egypt Moses - Expected to die, destined to live, lead and rescue Part 3 The Tale of Two Kings Saul - From appointed and anointed to losing God's favour David - Now for the great King David but even great kings have plenty of failings Part 4 Twelve Good Men - Andrew - first in, but not first choice - Simon - the wobbly rock - James and John - Sons of Thunder - Philip - not the brightest - Bartholomew - or was it Nathanael? - Thomas - the doubter or was he? - Matthew and Simon - the enemy collaborator and the terrorist - Judas Iscariot - the betrayer - James and Judas/Thaddeus - who even were they?

James Grier (Bishop of Plymouth), Liz Grier (Curate and Associate Formation Tutor, St Mellitus College)

James is a Devon boy and hugely proud of it. He still can’t quite believe that God has brought him home to be Bishop of Plymouth. He’s married to Liz, the beauty and brains of the marriage, and they have two fantastic sons, Josh and Toby, and a wonderful daughter-in-law, Rebeccah. He’s been ordained for over half his life and in that time they have served in large urban churches, small rural ones and started a church to reach young people with little or no experience of faith. Liz is married to James and has the same children. She’s also author of another book, Beginning Unlimited (Instant Apostle, 2018). She’s a scientist, harpist and theologian. When she’s not being clever, she’ll be sea swimming!