The role of the second chair leader is vital to the life of the church.

When both first and second chair leaders recognize the value of second chair leadership, the entire organization starts to hum!

Church leaders who are in second chair (and third and fourth chair) positions are under tremendous pressure to do their jobs, provide leadership, and defer to the top leader too.

How can they lead effectively while serving under someone else's leadership?

By learning that true second chair leadership is based on influence and attitude more than title.

In the new CCN seminar, Leading from the Second Chair, a panel of second chair experts will explore the special paradoxes and opportunities of leading from a second chair position.

"First chair leaders will realize great benefits when they understand these paradoxes and release their second chairs to truly lead, " says Mike Bonem, an expert in business strategy and a "second chair leader" at the West University Baptist Church.

Both volunteer and vocational church leaders will discover how successful second chair leadership is summed up in three paradoxes:

• Subordinate-leader: The key to second chair authority and effectiveness stems from a healthy relationship with the first chair leader.
• Deep-wide: Second chair roles are narrower and deeper, yet they must include a broad, organization-wide perspective.
• Contentment-dreaming: Second chair leaders can have dreams too, but they also need to cultivate contentment as God shapes their lives in the present.

Equip your team with the positive attitudes, skills and strategies needed to become leaders who not only survive but thrive in God's service!

Mike Bonem is the president of Kingdom Transformation Partners, providing consulting and forums for first and second chair leaders. Currently serving as a "Second Chair Leader", or executive pastor, at West University Baptist Church, Mike been a consultant and coach for churches, judicatories, and businesses for twenty years. After receiving his M.B.A. from Harvard Business School in 1985, Mike began his career as a business strategy consultant with McKinsey and Company. He is the co-author of Leading from the Second Chair, Leading Congregational Change: A Practical Guide for the Transformational Journey and Leading Congregational Change Workbook.

Roger Patterson is a "Second Chair Leader", having served West University Baptist Church for the past nine years, starting in the role of minister to students. Roger is a conference speaker and writer on matters related to serving effectively and faithfully on a church staff and with Mike Bonem, is the co-author of Leading from the Second Chair.