by Ori Brafman
First published 2021
Churches face a choice between rigid hierarchy and complete decentralization. Ori Brafman draws on his earlier work about starfish organizations to propose a third path for church leadership. Working with pastors Lance Ford and Rob Wegner, he advocates for hybrid models that combine the structure of spider organizations with the flexibility of starfish networks. The book presents two approaches: the Spiderfish model favors centralization while the Starder model leans toward decentralization. Both aim to create leaders who serve as community curators rather than top-down authorities. Brafman envisions teams of humble leaders positioned in the middle of their organizations, reproducing multiple generations of leadership through their example. This structure unleashes the collective gifts and talents of entire communities, creating stronger ministries with better outcomes. The book offers practical guidance for churches seeking to become more agile while maintaining accountability and effectiveness.
Genres: business, leadership, non-fiction, church, academic, christian-living
Vibes: intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family
224 pages · Hardcover · Zondervan