What prompted you to write this book? I love leadership books, but I saw a glaring gap in one particular area of leadership development: the inner life of a leader. I began writing this book after being profoundly struck by the reality that scores of gifted and well-trained leaders were crashing. Men and women who have read the books, been to the conferences, and learned the skills are dropping out of ministry not because of a lack of ability, but because of a problem on the inside. This book not only helps leaders look on the inside, it gives honest commentary on the challenges that face all those who seek to offer leadership in the church. What are some top challenges facing church leaders today? Too many leaders walk this journey alone. This was never God's plan. When we walk in community with people who love us, God and the church, we create a place of safety on the journey. One of the reasons many leaders have fallen and can't seem to get up is that they have not invited others on the journey with them. The other key piece missing in leadership today is a passionate and tenacious dedication to growing our inner life. As we do this, our outer leadership becomes a reflection of a deep connection with God. It flows naturally from who we are in Christ. Doing ministry alone, and becoming so busy that we don't take time to nurture and examine our soul can cost us more than we ever dreamed. How does your book address these needs? I have personally dealt with minor forms of skin cancer for the past decade. My dermatologist has taught me that doing weekly self-exams can save my life! Also, that I need to have my wife "watch my back" and make sure I am aware of any problems that develop in places I simply can't see. This image of regular self-exams and letting someone else point out potential problems carries through the book--on a spiritual level. As a matter of fact, each chapter addresses a distinct part of a leader's inner-life, using the imagery of a body. For instance, one chapter deals with the leader’s heart, and the focus is on how we love others. Another chapter keys in on the leader's libido and how we need to understand and harness our sexual desires. I even have a chapter on the leader's funny bone and talk about the need to experience joy and laughter. You get the idea. Who is the book for and why should they read it? I look forward to leadership teams, church boards, Sunday school volunteers, and all sorts of leadership groups walking through this together. I do believe it will be a valuable tool for individuals, but I hope that teams of leaders will let this book help forge a new level of mutual accountability and love. What do you hope readers take away from the book? My prayer is that Leadership from the Inside Out will help people discover that they can lead for a lifetime. The road to health in your life and ministry is not hard to find. If leaders will develop two simple disciplines--first, the practice of consistent and humble self-examination of their soul; and second, a courageous commitment to letting others keep them accountable and speak the truth to them--they might begin living with levels of health never before experienced. Kevin G. Harney is the Teaching Pastor and Evangelism Champion at Faith Church in Dyer, IN and Central Wesleyan Church in Holland, MI. He is also on the Teaching Team of the campus ministry at Grand Valley State University in Allendale, MI. Kevin has authored several books including Seismic Shifts: The Little Changes That Make a BIG Difference in Your Life. Kevin also is a regular contributor to Leadership Network's Books Blog. Click here to read the Sermon Central article by Kevin Harney Self-Examination and the Heart of a Preacher. Buy the Book Now At: Be the first to know of new book releases; add "Books on Innovation" to your list of interests and receive advance notice of upcoming titles!