The Authors
Mike Bonem has been a consultant to churches, judicatories, and businesses for more than twenty years. His company, Kingdom Transformation Partners, offers coaching and leadership development for first and second chair leaders.
Roger Patterson is the associate pastor of West University Baptist Church in Houston, Texas, where he has served for eight years. He is a second chair leader who loves to invest in the development of other leaders for the expansion of God's Kingdom.

About Leadership Network vii
Foreword ix
Greg L. Hawkins
Preface xi
1. Living in the Paradoxes 1
2. Am I a Second Chair Leader? 11
The First Paradox Subordinate-Leader
3. Taking It from the Top 27
4. Crossing the Line 43
A Word to First Chairs on the Subordinate-Leader Paradox 61
The Second Paradox Deep-Wide
5. A Matter of Perspective 71
6. Building the Team . . . One Relationship at a Time 83
7. Putting It into Practice 98
A Word to First Chairs on the Deep-Wide Paradox 111
The Third Paradox Contentment-Dreaming
8. Contentment in the Second Chair 121
9. Dreaming in the Second Chair 136
10. Leaving the Second Chair 151
A Word to First Chairs on the Contentment-Dreaming Paradox 164
Epilogue 169
The People Behind the Stories: Profiles of Second Chair Leaders 171
Bibliography 177
Acknowledgments 179
About the Authors 181
Index 183

This book addresses the unique challenges faced by secondary Church leaders, offering practical advice on fulfilling and successful service.

Church leaders who hold second chair positions are under tremendous pressure. They are expected to do their jobs and provide leadership while deferring to the top leader's decisions and preferences. It's a constant balancing act where the challenges often go unrecognized. Leading from the Second Chair offers an invaluable resource to leaders who serve in second (and third or fourth) chair roles, enabling them to become more productive, proactive, and fulfilled.

Mike Bonem and Roger Patterson share their own and others' experiences of failure and success in these vital roles. They offer support and practical advice for reshaping the way second chair leaders can serve well and improve the overall performance of their church or organization. Leading from the Second Chair equips readers with the positive attitudes, skills, and strategies needed to become powerful leaders who will survive and thrive in God's service.