Practicing greatness - mcneal

Andrews University Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary

PRACTICING GREATNESS

By REGGIE MCNEAL

A Reading Report Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Ministry

by Diói Cruz June 2012

I. SUMMARY

The key point that McNeal wants to teach in his book is that greatness in the kingdom of God is a journey toward humility. Greatness in the spiritual world cannot be pursued without cultivating God-consciousness. Jesus idea of greatness is resumed in acts of humility and service to God and to others.

Great leaders bless people. Great leaders help people be a part of something bigger than themselves. Great leaders leave people better off than they were before the leader entered their lives.

McNeal describes the seven disciplines every leader must learn and commit themselves to. He also makes it clear that these disciplines are a process and that leaders need to be committed to them during their entire lives.

Self-awareness: knowing what you are good at and not good at. Knowing how to maximize your strengths. Knowing why you react to things a certain way, why some people rub you the wrong way, why you have the tendency to certain sins or certain things attract your attention.

Self-management: Leaders that fail to manage themselves are vulnerable to self-sabotage and derailment. McNeal talks about most of the usual areas of self-management: a) The importance of "muse time", b) the importance of "emotional intelligence" and, c) the importance of managing money.

Self-development: “leaders are learners.” Who will you learn from? How will you learn? What will you learn and grow in? McNeal also focuses on the importance of developing your strengths. Focus on your talent and develop it.

Mission: Leaders order their lives missionally, and don't allow themselves to be hijacked by others'