Picking Up the Pieces

"""As ancient Israel tells it, Pharaoh, with his absolutism, certitude, speed, and control, is over and done with. Except that, as these wise authors know, Pharaoh continues to reappear in new forms. These alert and discerning authors--one a Christian and one a Jew--see that Pharaoh's mode or leadership has too long dominated both church and synagogue with the practice of top-down, all-knowing, all-controlling leadership. By teasing out the biblical text and citing compelling contemporary embodiments, these authors advocate and celebrate an alternative form of leadership in religious communities that is marked by openness, collegiality, and forward-anticipating restlessness. This is practical theology at its best. The book is a primer for how to bring our leadership practices into sync with our core tale of emancipation. The model of Moses both permits and requires our departure from Pharaoh and his leadership. These authors know how and where to look for such a generative alternative."" --Walter Brueggemann, Columbia Theological Seminary ""Never more needed, this book is a gift to all who read it and a gift to the world when its readers live into its message. This book is half faith-based wisdom literature, half management-science handbook for transformation in a turbulent age, and 100 percent visionary map to loving and leading more creatively and more effectively."" --Rabbi Brad Hirschfield, president, National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership ""Picking Up the Pieces is a revelation. Elegantly written and warm as a cup of coffee, it is the heart-gift of two friends, faith leaders writing for all of us with flocks to lead. McShane and Babchuck can't help themselves--they are playful and provocative preachers, looping us into a journey that they themselves are on. But make no mistake: this book boldly rewrites the script that frames pastoral ministry. You'll see your leadership with new eyes after you read these pages. For me, it was just in time."" --Kenda Creasy Dean, Mary D. Synnott Professor of Youth, Church, and Culture, Princeton Theological Seminary, and author of Almost Christian: What the Faith of Our Teenagers Is Telling the American Church and Innovating for Love: Joining God's Expedition through Christian Social Innovation ""Any time a rabbi and a Methodist minister get together on a project, you can expect something special. But this book is something extra-special: to-the-heart, wicked smart, and right-on-time wisdom for ministers, rabbis, and leaders of all shapes and sizes. We could wish this book on every religious leader, every seminarian, and every leader engaged in vital change-making work."" --Brian D. McLaren, author of Faith after Doubt ""Picking Up the Pieces challenges the reader to examine long-held assumptions about vision, power, control, and effective leadership. A compelling read that weaves Scripture, midrash, and case study--making an artful argument for a different leadership model in a new era."" --Susan Beaumont, consultant and author of How to Lead When You Don't Know Where You're Going: Leading in a Liminal Season ""Picking Up the Pieces is a beautiful, grace-filled, open-hearted, challenging, and wise meditation, not only on leadership but on being human. This book will illuminate, enchant, and transform readers' ability to wander, with courage and compassion, our disruptive and unnerving times toward an ever-elusive promised land."" --Rabbi Irwin Kula, president emeritus, National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership"