5 20th century—noting that key female leaders “mobilized hundreds of thousands of conservative Christian women to participate in political activism” who continue to influence the election outcomes of today (43). Dr. Michael E. Williams, Sr., DBU's Senior Professor of History, considers the substantive benefits of a recuperative sanctuary in the life of six American presidents and concludes that “if national leaders of the likes of Washington and Lincoln with great emotional intelligence, disciplined minds, and verified abilities to lead necessitated such rest, then so will leaders in other positions of leadership” (61). A fascinating essay by DBU alum Jacklyn Parrish contends that analyzing games can be of great value to leaders—chiefly as illustrative tools for improving leadership processes. She notes that “games, it would seem, are extremely effective systems for directing, managing, and optimizing human action leaders” (65). Ph.D. candidate Shay Wood then considers the cultivation of spiritual disciplines, especially for those within ministry, and the potential they have for developing resilience in leadership (81). In keeping with a practice occurring throughout this volume, Dr. Mark Cook, Associate Professor of Leadership and Biblical Studies, demonstrates the relevancy of multi-disciplinary inquiry in leadership studies. Dr. Cook contemplates the nexus of literature and leadership through the lens of J.R.R. Tolkien’s works. Fiction should not be overlooked by leadership scholars. Rather, “Tolkien’s wisdom reveals how leaders need to be nourished by good stories” (109). Clearly, this robust collection of essays reveals fertile reflections for the “life of the mind.” We pray the essays will stimulate your mind and bless your spirit as you contemplate these wide-ranging aspects of faith and leadership.
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