David Wasserman served the church in a time that was exciting, challenging, and made progress for the Kingdom. But he also saw church leaders who did not listen, laugh together, or love enough of God's world and people. This reality is bad for the gospel--yet there's hope. It is coming in the form of leaders who are taking the time to listen carefully, staying humble and humorous about themselves, and working harder than ever to embody a bit more of God's love, justice, and peace. Listen More, Laugh Often, Love Always offers advice to future church leaders from the ramblings and reflections of one who saw firsthand the embattlements, wanderings, and unravelings of an institution trying to transform itself for a new time in God's grace.Listen More, Laugh Often, Love Always is not only the modis operandi of the author, it is also a reflective collection of pithy editorials, soul-stirring sermons, and generative questions about leading and loving in tumultuous times. It serves as an invaluable compendium, culled from years of pastoral leadership, of wit and wisdom that is sure to enlighten and enliven not just church councils but also any leaders seeking to be more effective followers of Christ in the world He still comes to save.--Sue Westfall, Director, Macedonian Ministry, Atlanta, GADave organizes remarks from a wide swath of his career to help church councils contemplate their current-day roles. Reflections ending each chapter provide food for thought. In a time of reformation for the church and its leaders, it's good to have a solid sense of where we have been so that we can navigate the future wisely and well.--Sallie Watson, Missional Presbyter/Stated Clerk, Presbytery of Santa Fe, Albuquerque, NMDave Wasserman's short essays written for church leaders are both easy to read and thought provoking. Each chapter, packed with wisdom forged from the author's experience in the trenches, serves as a useful guide for church councils and sessions. Readers will also find this book an invaluable asset in becoming more intentional about their faith and service to the church. The title says it all. Heed that advice.--Ted Walkenhorst, Ruling Elder, Presbyterian Church USA, Philadelphia, PAThe format of Dave's book takes us beyond reading the solid insights of a church leader to engaging us in wrestling with the issues still facing the church.--John M. Nelsen, pastor, University Presbyterian Church, El Paso, TXDavid Wasserman served as a minister in the Presbyterian Church for thirty-nine years, twenty-five of them in Michigan, Oklahoma, Texas, and Arizona. He has led work teams at all levels of the Presbyterian Church (USA) and statewide ecumenical conferences of churches (OK and TX). He is the author of Azure Wind: Lessons for Ministry from Under Sail (2006).
