“There is no other book like this.” Metropolitan Tikhon, Archbishop of Washington, Orthodox Church in America.
“Pearls of wisdom and insight about the ministry and practice of leadership for Christians today.” V Rev Dr John Behr, former Dean, St Vladimir’s Seminary.
“Every Christian non-profit leader should read one management or business book a month. The best book on the topic is Strategic Leadership, Planning, and Management for Christians …. winsome, spiritual, and practical.” Dr John Mark Reynolds, former Provost, Houston Baptist University; President, The Saint Constantine School.
This new leadership book, written by Peter M Danilchick, a retired international corporate executive and Orthodox protodeacon, and published by St Vladimir’s Seminary Press, addresses the leadership challenges facing Christians in the Church and the world.
“Protodeacon Peter, himself an abundantly gifted Christian leader, now shares with us his experience and insight, in accordance with the holy gospel, guiding his fellow Christians along the path of strategic leadership, planning, and management.” Bishop Basil of Wichita and Mid-America, Antiochian Archdiocese.
Many books examine leadership and management skills from a business perspective, but none have incorporated the timeless wisdom of the Orthodox Christian faith.
“While there are lots of stories, anecdotes, books, and papers from the business world in this area, a book that can be easily read, understood, followed and used as a reference from a Christian perspective, is sorely lacking. This book will fill that void.” Frank B. Cerra M.D., Emeritus Professor and Dean; former Senior Vice President for Health Sciences and Services, University of Minnesota.
“Utter uniqueness in the genre….” Byron Borger, Hearts & Minds Books.
Thy Will Be Done serves as a bridge between the ecclesiastical and corporate worlds, drawing on scripture and the Church fathers, together with the strategies and best practices of the business world.
“Protodeacon Peter’s advice is backed by clear and extensive quotes from Scripture, the divine liturgy, and patristic and monastic writings, as well as specific examples and stories from his tremendous practical experience.” Dr Charles Ajalat, J.D., D.C.L., former Chancellor, Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese.
In this unique book, published by St Vladimir’s Seminary Press, the meaning and goals of leadership are explored, and readers discover their vocation as Christian leaders: prophets, priests, and kings who by virtue of their baptism are called to servant leadership.
We further learn about those called to ordained ministry (deacons, priests, and bishops), who exemplify the threefold ministry of service, sacrifice, and oversight.
“This book paves the way toward a better understanding and experience of how ‘the way of the world’ should be brought to conform to and coincide with ‘the will of God.’” Rev Dr John Chryssavgis, editor Primacy in the Church.
Danilchick then unfolds the steps of strategic planning and provides a specific planning process that can be used in personal, Church, community, and corporate situations.
Finally, the book addresses the day-to-day concerns of strategic management and working with other people: serving on a board, ethics and compliance issues, organizing and running meetings, reaching agreement with disagreeable people, HR management, organizational finances, stewardship reports, and fundraising.
“A ‘must read’ for those that lack management experience and have to work with others in a leadership sense…. an inspiration to all Christians who are in leadership positions in lay organizations.” Dr Duccio Macchetto, former Associate Director, Space Telescope Science Institute (Hubble Project), Emeritus Astronomer; European Space Agency.
From the mystical to the practical, from the Church fathers to dealing with difficult people, Christian leaders will find the tools that equip them to lead, to plan, and to manage.
“A classic…. It would be a wise organization that makes sure each board member, executive director, and other leader has a copy of this book and reads it.” Dr Charles Ajalat, J.D., D.C.L., former Chancellor, Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese.
“Required reading for all seminary students, priests, parish leaders, board members, church council members and the church hierarchy…. should also appeal to Christian laity in leadership positions.” Frank B. Cerra M.D., former Senior Vice President for Health Sciences and Services, University of Minnesota.
“The highest praise I can give such a book is the wish, at the end, that I could have worked for more bosses like Danilchick and that he led every church meeting I have attended!” Dr John Mark Reynolds, former Provost, Houston Baptist University; President, The Saint Constantine School.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Peter M Danilchick is a retired ExxonMobil executive with over three decades of international operations, planning, and management experience. He is also an ordained minister in the Orthodox Church, serving parishes and missions for almost fifty years, domestically and overseas. He brings these diverse experiences to bear upon current issues of leadership, governance, strategic planning, management systems, organizational development, and negotiations for both profit and nonprofit organizations.
His ExxonMobil career was principally focused in the international arena, working in six different countries. He led and managed many diverse groups in Exxon, ranging from an operations division in its Singapore refinery, to country-wide planning groups in Australia and Germany, to new business development in China. He was particularly called upon by Exxon to lead project, commercial, and joint venture negotiations involving third parties from many different cultural groups.
At the same time, he worked in the Orthodox Church in these locations, either supporting existing parishes or establishing new missions. He also served on two national church governing boards in the USA and Southeast Asia as well as the board chairman of a major European international school. These experiences gave him a unique perspective on how to develop common ground among individuals from vastly different origins and backgrounds.
He is currently active as an emeritus trustee of St Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary and as a member of the secretariat for the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the USA. He most recently served as a board member of the national social and human development service provider FOCUS North America and as board vice-chair of the Orthodox Christian Leadership Initiative (OCLI).
He received Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in electrical engineering at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art and Syracuse University, respectively. He is a member of Tau Beta Pi, Eta Kappa Nu, and Pi Mu Epsilon engineering, electrical engineering, and mathematics honorary societies, respectively. He was awarded the degree of Doctor of Humane Letters (D.H.L.), honoris causa, from St Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary.
The author’s hope is that this book will contribute to improved leadership development among Christians called to lead the Lord’s flock, whether it be large or small, many or few, in Church as well as secular environments. May His will be done.
ABOUT THE PUBLISHER
Founded in 1968, St Vladimir’s Seminary Press is the largest and most active publisher of Orthodox Christian books in the English language, with over 500 titles in print. SVS Press has achieved a reputation for permitting a free expression of ideas within the breadth of the Orthodox faith, tradition, and history, while insisting on works of theological excellence.
To order directly from the publisher, visit the link or call 1-800-204-2665. The book is also available in print and Kindle versions on Amazon.
SVS Press • 575 Scarsdale Rd Yonkers, NY • 10707 • 1-800-204-2665 (USA only) • 914-961-2203 (outside USA) • Fax: 914-961-5456 (24 hours) • email: bookstore@svots.edu