• 5 Star Reads
  • Audiobooks
  • Books on Screen
  • Children’s Books
  • Christian
  • Fiction
  • Giveaways

5 Minutes For Books

  • Home
  • About
    • Who Are We? Reviewer Bios
    • 5 Star Reads
    • Disclosure
    • Privacy Policy
    • About Us
  • Join In
    • 5 Minutes for Books Bookclub
    • Children’s Classics
    • Kids’ Picks
    • What’s on Your Nightstand
  • Link To Us
  • Contact
    • Advertise

Leaders Who Last

May 4, 2010 by Lisa

Author Dave Kraft wrote his book Leaders Who Last in response to a disturbing statistic that only 30 percent of leaders finish well. He writes in the Introduction:

Too many are dropping out of the race, losing heart, and letting go of their dreams and lofty purposes. They are simply giving up and throwing in the towel. Due to the rapidly changing and fast-paced world we live in, it is increasingly difficult to lead and lead well with joy, clarity, and confidence. Some just hang on by their fingernails, waiting for retirement to rescue them from their disappointments, fears, and frustrations. What will it take for you and me to be leaders who finish the race well? What issues should we be aware of that could hold us back and keep us from finishing?

Kraft devotes the remaining 140 pages or so of his book exploring and explaining the principles of leadership he’s learned from his own leadership journey of over 40 years in various leadership positions. “Everything in this book flows from my personal experience and convictions,” he writes.

Kraft is a believer and writes from Christian perspective yet his book is not merely for the pastor but for anyone in a position of influence either inside the church or outside it. He defines a leader as a “humble, God-dependent, team-playing servant of God who is called by God to shepherd, develop, equip and empower a specific group of believers to accomplish an agreed-upon vision from God.”

The book is divided into 3 parts. Part One: Foundations explores the leader’s Power, Purpose, Passion, Priorities, and Pacing. Part Two: Formation discusses the leader’s Calling, Gifts, Character, and Growth. Part Three: Fruitfulness encourages the leader’s Vision, Influence, and Legacy.

Leaders Who Last offers some good, solid teaching on the critical importance of humble, passionate, dynamic leadership. I’m not certain that Kraft offers any new information necessarily; many of his points echo other books I’ve read on leadership and calling. Still, his call for men and women of God to use their gifts to influence others for the kingdom of God is one that ought to be heard and heeded.

Wife and mother, Bible teacher and blogger, Lisa loves Jesus, coffee, dark chocolate and, of course, books. Read more of her reflections at Lisa writes…. Lisa would like to thank the great folks at Crossway Publishing for providing the review copy of this book!

Filed Under: Christian, Lisa, Non-Fiction

« Finally!
I Read It — May »

Comments

  1. Carrie, Reading to Know says

    May 4, 2010 at 10:55 am

    I agree! I thought this book was perhaps even more beneficial to the person sitting in the pew than the pastor. Because the people sitting in the pew seem to frequently be the ones saying, “I want, I want, I want!” and “I need, I need, I need!” It’s good to be reminded that the pastor is only human and needs us to observe and respect boundaries as well as offer encouragement.

    Great review, LIsa!

Connect with us

  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Welcome to 5 Minutes for Books. We are a team blog dedicated to sharing reviews and information about children's lit, fiction, memoir, and more. Read More…

Reviews

5 Minutes for Books

Jennifer Donovan
Managing Editor

MEET OUR TEAM



Connect With Us


Pinterest

Community

Cybils Logo Draft 3

Disclosure:

Find out about our relationships with publishers and affiliate networks in our full disclosure statement.

Recent Posts

  • Sunday
  • Rules for Ruin
  • After Pearl
  • Vera Wong’s Guide to Snooping (on a Dead Man)
  • I Can’t Get No Satisfaction

Categories

Privacy Policy    |     Disclosure Policy
Terms & Conditions
© 5 Minutes for Mom

Let’s Socialize

  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Pinterest is Our FAVORITE!

Find and Follow Us at
pinterest.com/5min4books

Copyright © 2025 · Tasteful theme by Restored 316