by David L. McKenna

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review by Ron Johnson

IN QUIET MOMENTS each of us who serves in any type of ministry position often thinks about the impact of our efforts in continuing God's redemptive plan. In The Leader's Legacy David McKenna draws on 50 years of ministry experience and the example of John the Baptist to develop twelve “rules of succession,” which can help to assure the impact of our efforts. These rules provide guidance for leaders in all career stages, beginning to end.

Even though 33 years of McKenna's experiences were gained as president of a college, university, or seminary, he has been careful to develop the book so it applies to those in all types and levels of Christian leadership. This is evidenced in the prologue where he states, “Thousands pass through the revolving door of Christian leadership each year. Whether we are clergy or laity, pastors or missionaries, educators or evangelists, executives or elders, the journey through the revolving door of transition is as inevitable as death and taxes.” Sometimes those in positions of ministry—because of true humility—do not see themselves as leaders. Yet the message of The Leader's Legacy is valid from the executive suite through every level. It is as pertinent to Sunday school teachers and nursery coordinators as it is to senior pastors and college administrators.

The principles McKenna develops clearly apply as well to those in the secular arena who see their business or service as a part of God's redemptive plan. When I discussed the book with the Sunday school class I teach, some of the most insightful comments were made by the owner of a successful business who has spent ten years preparing to transition out of leadership by the end of this year.

The book is organized around McKenna's “Succession Principle”:

A leader builds upon the past,
gives momentum to the present, and
leaves the promise of greater things to come.

Each chapter develops one of the twelve rules of succession, amply illustrated by examples and vignettes from the life of John the Baptist, McKenna's experiences, and quotes from well-known books on leadership and management. As an added aid for application, each chapter ends with several stimulating questions.

While everyone who reads the book will benefit from each chapter, various chapters will speak more strongly to those in different stages of ministry. Persons considering or beginning a new position may find especially helpful the first three chapters on the importance of understanding the history, culture, and life cycle of the organization. Individuals in mid career will find the first three chapters to be a helpful reminder of efforts that need to be continued and will find chapter four, “Accepting Our Role,” very significant. The remaining chapters speak to topics related to leaving a ministry position. The topics developed range from perceiving the signals about the timing of a departure to celebrating the successor and managing emotions. These chapters perhaps speak most strongly to someone preparing to leave an organization, but will be helpful to new leaders as well by assisting them to begin to understand and prepare for the midpoint and end of their time in a position.

Because of McKenna's openness and willingness to be vulnerable, the book is even more helpful and personal. As one who will be leaving Christian higher education in 2007 after 38 years—26 of which I served in leadership positions—I found special understanding, comfort, and peace in chapter ten, “Managing Our Emotions.” For me the meaningfulness and impact of this chapter were greatly multiplied because of the vulnerability of the author.

In the preface McKenna states, “My prayer is that the book will assist current and future leaders to see their role in continuing God's redemptive plan by being faithful to their task and leaving their successor a base upon which to realize the promise of greater things.” In The Leader's Legacy I believe McKenna has successfully presented the aspects of succession so that each reader will desire to pray to see clearly his or her role in continuing God's redemptive plan, to be faithful to the task, and to leave the successor a solid base on which to move the organization to new heights.

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