Book Description Accessible Guide from 9Marks Equips Men to Steward Their God-Given Authority Every position of power—in homes, churches, and boardrooms—has the potential to strengthen people or to harm them. Bad leaders abuse their authority or abdicate it. And their actions breed distrust in authority generally. Yet what do godly authority and leadership look like—the kind that causes people to flourish?Many men today have lost their bearings when it comes to leadership. In this condensed version of his book Authority, Jonathan Leeman equips men to take hold of the authority they’ve received and responsibly steward it for the good of others.Exploring the domains of marriage, fatherhood, church, and the workplace, he offers practical, Scripture-based advice for daily life. This accessible guide, perfect for men’s groups, helps readers submit to God and gain biblical wisdom for their most important roles. Practical Advice for Various Areas of Leadership: Biblical insights for fathers, husbands, employers, church pastors, and more Adapted from Jonathan Leeman’s Book Authority: Features condensed content Perfect for Small Groups and Men’s Ministries: With engaging questions throughout, this is a great resource for churches and mentors Includes a New Introduction and a Chapter with Advice for Single Men Read Chapter 1 Author Jonathan Leeman (PhD, University of Wales) is the president of 9Marks and cohost of the Pastors Talk podcast. He is the author or editor of over a dozen books and teaches at several seminaries. Jonathan lives with his wife and four daughters in suburban Washington, DC, and serves as an elder at Cheverly Baptist Church. Endorsements “In our anti-authoritarian age, Jonathan Leeman is convinced that authority is good and aims to convince you that, when used well, authority leads to human flourishing in every sphere of life. In our day, in which confusion about this topic abounds, Leeman brings much-need clarity backed by deeply biblical convictions. In all the best ways, this book challenged and changed me. And if you prayerfully give your attention to it, fair warning—the Lord just might change you.”—Josh Manley, Senior Pastor, RAK Evangelical Church, Ras al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates “I’m always impressed with how Jonathan Leeman couples careful biblical analysis with pastoral wisdom and experience. Jonathan demonstrates awareness of all sides of these conversations. The lengthier version, Authority, sits on my shelf and should sit on yours as well. This abbreviated volume will likely become your go-to resource for training leaders in the why and how of Christlike authority. It’s a great tool to get the conversation started.”—J. D. Greear, Pastor, The Summit Church, Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina; author, Everyday Revolutionary “This is a playbook for Christian manhood, a roadmap for Christian ministry, and should be required reading for every teenaged Christian boy. Saturated with the Bible and filled with concise applications, Using Authority Well is a well-timed reminder of what real Christlike —Clint Pressley, Pastor, Hickory Grove Baptist Church, Charlotte, North Carolina; President, Southern Baptist Convention “‘Authority is a good and dangerous gift.’ This is a much-needed resource in our African context, where authority is often misunderstood. Jonathan Leeman provides a practical and insightful study of authority, exploring its nature, functions, and challenges across every man’s life. I found the reflection questions useful as I assessed my own authority in various areas.”—Tommie van der Walt, Executive Director, Imprint; Elder, Brackenhurst Baptist Church, Alberton, South Africa “Jonathan Leeman has done wonderful work in helping all Christians understand the limits, power, and beneficial effects of God-given authority. He helpfully reminds us that one cannot exercise upright authority unless one can be under authority.”—R. D. “Tex” Alles, 25th Director, United States Secret Service “Churches in China often find themselves caught between external persecution and internal conflict. A leader who can guide a church forward under such circumstances needs to be courageous, decisive, and steadfast. Pastors with these qualities, however, can easily become domineering, controlling, or in other ways harmful to the congregation. Jonathan Leeman’s work can speak to pastors in China or other closed countries, reminding us that even a bold and decisive pastor should at the same time be a sacrificial, patient, and gentle servant.”—Joshua Fang Xie, Pastor, Shining Light Baptist Church, China Additional Information Cover: SoftcoverNumber of Pages: 128Publisher: CrosswayPublication Date: April 7, 2026
