10 of those

Today’s threats come from every direction. How can we faithfully respond? 

Many church leaders assume the most dangerous threats to God’s people will emerge from one side of the field. But when they scan for attacks in only one direction, they leave Christians vulnerable to different dangers.

The church needs what Trevin Wax calls multi-directional leadership—leaders who combine dexterity and discipline. In short, leaders today must demonstrate faithful versatility. Wax applies multi-directional leadership to the most contentious issues facing churches right now.   Unity and truth can still triumph in a divided age.

Trevin Wax (PhD, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary) is senior vice president of theology and communications at LifeWay Christian Resources and a visiting professor at Wheaton College. He is the general editor of The Gospel Project and the author of multiple books, including Rethink Your Self.

Endorsements   “Trevin Wax writes with keenness of insight, pastoral wisdom, and prophetic forcefulness. In this book he articulates the pressure today’s Christian leaders feel from every direction. Wax remains one of my most reliable counselors for leading in a rapidly shifting context.   

— J. D. Greear, pastor, The Summit Church, Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina; president, Southern Baptist Convention  

“Leadership is challenging. It requires wisdom, thoughtfulness, prayerfulness, and humility. It also requires an awareness that a one-size-fits-all leadership approach falls short as a method of engaging with different types of people and situations. As we seek to serve and care for others, we need the compelling vision Trevin Wax offers in his book, The Multi-Directional Leader. In whatever ways you lead and influence others—as a CEO, ministry leader, or parent—this book offers insightful questions and commentary to grow as a versatile leader, considering the needs of others as you guide those entrusted to your care.”  

— Melissa Kruger, author and director of women’s initiatives for The Gospel Coalition  

“Calling for Christian leaders in churches, organizations, institutions, and other settings to avoid the shortcomings of a single-perspective approach to leadership, Trevin Wax, in a thoughtful manner informed by Scripture and compelling biographical examples, convincingly shows the importance for leaders to understand people, contexts, issues, and decision making from a multi-directional perspective. Though intended only as a brief overview, this insightful volume skillfully addresses the complexity of leadership in theory and in practice. Let us pray that the Lord will use this significant resource to raise up a new generation of faithful multi-directional leaders who will selflessly, compassionately, and courageously serve church and society in the days ahead. I am delighted to recommend this timely and applicable book.”  

— David S. Dockery, president, International Alliance for Christian Education; Distinguished Professor of Theology, Southwestern Seminary  

“They say that generals fight the last war. Indeed, Christian leaders are often fighting their previous battles. All of us fall into cognitive rituals that are comfortable but don’t help us to grow, thus limiting our ability to lead. Trevin Wax reminds us of this tendency with a book that will challenge those of us willing to engage in introspection of how we may be one-directional. He writes in a manner that isn’t limited by political or theological preferences. Just about anyone in a leadership role can benefit from this short book. We in the Christian community are blessed to have such a voice to help position us to be ready for the challenges we face in the 21st century.”  

— George Yancey, professor of sociology, Baylor University; author of Beyond Racial Gridlock