Peter Greer and Chris Horst, with Jill Heisley, Rooting for Rivals: How Collaboration and Generosity Increase the Impact of Leaders, Charities, and Churches (aff). Minneapolis: Bethany House, 2018. 234 pages.
Rooting for Rivals is a simple but powerful book with a straightforward message. Peter Greer is the CEO and Chris Horst is the vice president of development for Hope International. Their work depends on financial donations and support from others. As someone who has led a church, a seminary, and a nonprofit for most of my adult life, I resonate with the issues they face.
Their main point is that Christian leaders must decide whether to focus on building their “clan” or building God’s kingdom. They claim the “default” of most leaders is to view the world as a pie with limited resources and to consider other nonprofits rivals. If they obtain the donation from a wealthy donor, then we don’t. It boils down to us or them.
They note that only 28% of nonprofits reported in 2005 were still active ten years later (19). Most nonprofits have a limited shelf life. That knowledge can either encourage leaders to act out of fear and self-preservation or it can motivate them to invest in things that are longer lasting. The authors write, “We are members of a community not marked by organizational boundaries but by the blood of the Savior” (20). They add, “Organizations come and go, but we are part of a movement that has no end” (21). They quote A.W. Tozer, who prayed, “Make me ambitious to please thee even if as a result I must sink into obscurity and my name be forgotten as a dream” (21).
Protestants have a proclivity to disagree, hence the word “protest” in their name (32). The book examines various studies that show how people tend to gather in tribes and view outsiders as enemies. Yet, “Large scale social change requires broad cross-sector coordination” (39). Partnership is not always the answer, but the authors encourage readers to consider “Kingdom over Clan” (43-45). They write, “Are we more animated about building our little dreams or about building the kingdom of God?” (51). The problem is that there is a “gravitational pull” toward self-preoccupation (53).
The authors also note that regardless of a nonprofit’s revenue, most believe they will never have enough (60). Therefore, it’s difficult to share with others. The authors observe, “What distinguishes generous and openhanded leaders is how they answer these two questions; ‘Do we believe in a world of scarcity or abundance?’ And ‘Is our focus on our clan or the kingdom?’” (66). They conclude, “We may dress up our pride with really nice words and compelling PowerPoint slides, but it’s pride at the core” (98).
The book includes an interesting discussion about the “freedom of limits” (133). We are often healthier and more God-dependent when we don’t have everything we think we need. One of the great tests of a kingdom-minded person is whether we can love our enemies and celebrate the success of our competitors. Martin Luther King Jr. claimed, “Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into a friend” (179). Abraham Lincoln asked, “Do I not destroy my enemies when I make them my friends?” (180).
The authors note that leading a nonprofit can often descend into monotonous and mundane work. They confess, “Some days, changing the world looks like emptying a never-ending in-box or hopping on another plane away from loved ones at home” (198). We must strive to keep God’s view of our work. He will provide every resource we need to accomplish the assignments he gives us.
This book is helpful and challenging. It addresses an important issue. Numerous ministries and nonprofits across the nation do the same kind of work. As someone who has led a nonprofit for my entire career, it can certainly seem as if I am competing with many others for the same donors, volunteers, supporters, and clients. If the world is a pie, then the larger the piece they obtain, the smaller the piece that is left for me.
But if almighty God is the one who has a purpose for my ministry, and he has called me to lead it, then I must assume he will provide what we need to do his will. The key is to realize I am not building MY kingdom but his.
I found this book helpful. It focuses on a few key points and makes a strong case. If you work in or lead a nonprofit, I recommend you read it.
Rating: 3
