Leadership Handbook One of the challenges that most religious leaders will face is: dealing with the unique problems impacting their congregation, individuals they are working with and the church. This is a sign that there are tremendous difficulties of exercising effective leadership. As they are forced to serve: the role of confidant and understand these issues that are impacting everyone. For most individuals, achieving these objectives can be demanding by having to address a host of situations at the same time. Once this occurs, is the point that these issues will have an effect on the kind of advice and support that is provided. To address these challenges, a new approach must be taken that will utilize proven tactics.

In the book titled Leadership Handbook of Management & Administration, Berkley (2008) is discussing how these challenges can be dealt with. This is accomplished by looking at a host of issues and carefully examining potential solutions that are introduced. To fully understand how these ideas can be applied requires carefully examining the leadership philosophy that is utilized by modern day religious scholars. Once this happens, is when we can show how these tools can help religious officials to exercise true leadership. This is the point that they can make a difference in reaching out to various stakeholders. (Berkley, 2008, pp. 1 -- 23)

The Concepts Presented in the Leadership Handbook of Management & Administration

The idea of leadership has often been complicated for religious leaders. This is because there are a host of challenges impacting philosophy these include: conflicting religious doctrine, differing views and interpretations. To help leaders adjust with these issues, Berkley believes that there are several areas which can improve effective management and control. As there are seven different parts that are focused on during this process to include: personal management, transitions, leadership, paid-staff supervision, volunteer-staff supervision, management and finances. These elements are designed to provide a basic foundation of understanding and addressing the unique challenges they are facing. (Berkley, 2008, pp. 1 -- 23)

Personal Management

During this process, there are several different areas that should be taken into consideration to include: the purpose of personal management, the call to ministry, the responsibilities to god, the ministry, self, family members, effective time management and personal finances. (Berkley, 2008, pp. 25 -- 124)
The combination of these factors is designed to give religious leaders a basic foundation for linking key concepts to areas of personal responsibility and management. When this takes place, there is a transformation in how the individual is influenced by doctrine and key ideas. (Berkley, 2008, pp. 25 -- 124)

Transitions

Transitions will take place when the individual has a higher sense of awareness about their responsibilities and roles. In this process, all religious leaders must be concentrating on specific areas that will build off of these gains. The most notable include: church orientated vocations, the search procedures, negotiating and finding an environment that is supportive of individual objectives. These different areas are designed to provide leaders with the ability to determine if a particular ministry will work for them. (Berkley, 2008, pp. 127-172)

At the same time, there is an emphasis on finding a congregation that shares similar values and interests. When this occurs, they are able to take these concepts and use them to reach out to each individual. It is at this point that their leadership style will have the greatest impact on everyone. As a result, these ideas are demonstrating the kinds of enlightenment and understanding that are necessary in making these individuals successful over the long-term. (Berkley, 2008, pp. 127-172)

Leadership

Leadership is looking at the skills and tools that will be necessary to be successful inside a religious environment. To assist everyone in effectively reaching out to different stakeholders, there are a host of concepts that are discussed during the process. These include: the meaning of leadership, responsibilities, what it takes…