Review written by Natalie Holmyard (2021)

This book first came to my attention and was recommended as a must read by a friend who is a Pastor, in 2016. The subtitle/tag line drew me in, “how transforming your inner life will transform your church, team and world”. From this “inside-out” is very much who we are at SRT and this, along with the respect I have for my friend, was all I needed to jump straight in.

The book is divided into an introduction to the author and his motives for the book, followed by 2 very thorough sections, Part 1, The Inner Life, and Part 2, The Outer Life.
I greatly valued the introductory sections in-depth outlining, of what “unhealthy leadership” looks like. This was particularly timely for David and I, as we were in the middle of unravelling from a very unhealthy leadership regime we had been yoked with. Peter’s words were at once, both validating and soothing to our troubled and hurting hearts. For anyone who has suffered at the realm of unhealthy leadership, with special emphasis on church leadership, I am sure that you will reap insight and comfort from the first 2 chapters. What is the most powerful aspect of this introduction, however, comes from the authors leading into our own personal leadership style and a very real questionnaire with 10 basic, yet revealing questions. Don’t skip this section and be brave to ask for feedback on your answers!

Part 1 is where I spent most of my time and energy in this book. The Inner Life is where I live, and my outer life is hopefully a reflection of this. These 4 chapters, Face Your Shadow, Leading out of your Marriage or Singleness, Slow Down for Loving Union and the Sabbath were life changing for David and I, with particular emphasis on Leading out of your Marriage and The Sabbath. Since knowing Bruce, we have had a deep longing to live out the Sabbath, however, this book shone a light on the gaps in our obedience to this commandment and encouraged us into a greater reality of what the Sabbath means for us, personally in our relationship with Father and communally in our core relationships. By the grace of God now, the Sabbath is very real to not only David and I, but all of those whom we have had the privilege of working through this book with, including our children, spouses and grandchildren. Seeing our children and their families, embrace in obedience and desire, the Sabbath and all Father has for them in this gift to us, is one of greatest fruits as parents we can delight in and praise God for.

Part 2 is focused largely on what to “do” next in contrast to Part 1’s inner life focus on the “be”. (BE,DO,HAVE). It consists of 4 chapters packed with graphics, questionnaires, and dot points that are extremely helpful in unpackaging the motive of the book – to become and produce emotionally healthy leaders. The book wraps up with several useful appendix worksheets.

Having now read this book for my own personal growth several times, along with the added blessing of leading several groups through this book in Australia and Singapore, I am convinced that this book is a solid resource for building a solid foundation of the “inside-out” principle. I know that Bruce and David both have this book as a must read in their armoury of transforming materials to recommend. This book was designed in a way to become a life accompaniment tool for communities looking to establish mature leadership and flourishing communities. I am encouraged even now to study certain chapters again and work at implementing the spiritual truths into my personal life, family, spiritual community and vocation. I hope this book blesses and transforms you as the Holy Spirit has allowed it to do in me.

God bless.
Natalie Holmyard

You can purchase a copy of this book HERE