Starting Well: Building a Strong Foundation For a Lifetime of Ministry

This is a book for emerging leaders. Leaders are individuals who have the calling, character, and competency to influence others to accomplish God's purposes. The essence of leadership in the kingdom of God is influence, not (primarily) position or personal charisma. You don't have to be a full time worker in Christian ministry to be a leader. God is calling out people who are willing to serve him in faithfulness and obedience wherever they make there living or have an opportunity to impact others. This book is targeted for those who are responding to the call of God to influence others for the kingdom. Richard Clinton and Paul Leavenworth are offering this updated and expanded version of Starting Well with the hope that our original vision will be enhanced and enlarged so that another generation of younger emerging leaders will be resourced for developing a firm foundation upon which their life, leadership, and legacy will bring honor to God through faithfulness, focus, fulfillment, and fruitfulness.

About the Authors Richard Clinton is currently the Senior Pastor of a Vineyard Church in Colorado Springs, CO. Before taking his current position he served in pastoral roles at other Vineyards in the U.S. and Switzerland. He has also served as an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Leadership at Fuller Theological Seminary (CA) and as the Director of Barnabas Resources, an organization committed to "equipping, training, and releasing effective leaders into service for the Kingdom of God." Richard completed his undergraduate studies at Westmont College (CA) and his M.A., M.Div., and D.Min. at Fuller Theological Seminary. His father, Dr. J. Robert (Bobby) Clinton has recently retired after forty plus years as a Professor of Leadership in the School of Intercultural Studies at Fuller Seminary. Over the past several years Richard and Bobby have co-ministered together in the area of leadership training and development while developing the Clinton Leadership Institute (www.jrclintoninstitute.com) to continue the process of Biblical research in leadership development. Richard is married and has three sons. He currently lives in Monument, CO. Paul Leavenworth is currently the Executive Director for the Convergence group (www.theconvergencegroup.org), a consulting organization committed to helping leaders finish well. Before taking his current position he served as the Executive Director for Leadership Development and Church Ministries for Open Bible Churches. He has also served as an instructor at Eugene Bible College (now New Hope Christian College), a missionary with YWAM, and a college administrator at Christian liberal arts colleges. He completed his undergraduate studies at Oregon State University and has completed an M.A. in Theology at Fuller Theological Seminary. He has also completed a M.Ed. in Guidance and Counseling from Whitworth College (WA) and an Ed.D. in Counseling from the College of William and Mary (VA). Paul is married and has three children and currently lives in West Des Moines, IA.