DARE TO SHIFT: Challenging Leaders to a New Way of Thinking

For nearly three years, the world has experienced a disruption that changed life as we knew it. This disruption has forced us to shift in every area of life. Friends, nothing will ever be the same. How we shop, work, and even worship has forever changed. Let’s be honest. A major shift has happened!

In this book, co-authors Michael Bowie and Stephen Handy discuss how the Resurrection of Jesus caused the ultimate disruption to life, changing the landscape of the world for all time.The authors write that adaptive leadership is vital for this next iteration of ministry. To be effective, we must be nimble, flexible, and open to new ways of ministry. We can no longer rely on how we’ve always done things. We must be willing to shift and do ministry in uncommon, uncertain, and uncomfortable ways.

As society continues to navigate and adjust to this new reality, we need to transform our complacent mindset into a creative one. This book will challenge readers to make intentional shifts in their understanding of relationships, leadership, stewardship, and discipleship.

Readers are encouraged to embrace new models and concepts compelling you to be more curious, creative, and courageous. Michael Bowie and Stephen Handy encourage readers to make the needed shift to experience the abundant life we were meant to live, moving beyond an ordinary life of routine and comfort.

What Readers are Saying About Dare to Shift

“In my fifty-plus years of ministry, I have experienced change as a constant. Institutions resist change. The disruption of the covid epidemic has given the church pause to reimagine new possibilities of God. Now is the time for radically new ways of thinking and leading. Dare to Shift is a must-read in clearly outlining a path to adaptive leadership for such a time as this.”

Mike Slaughter
Passionate Churches, LLC

“Leadership at this moment requires a new paradigm shift responsive to a new way of engagement that allows the mission to be relevant. Dr. Bowie and Dr. Handy challenge us to be innovative thinkers and prophetic leaders who are self-aware of how to show up and align creatively. Their holistic approach provides transformation and not transactional learning, useful nuggets, personal and collective reflection opportunities, and hope for a new era of leadership willing to pivot and do it differently.”

Rev. Dr. Giovanni Arroyo
General Secretary, General Commission on Religion and Race
The United Methodist Church

“Dare to Shift is a post-pandemic, permission-giving, practical book filled with two highly effective leaders’ combined knowledge, wisdom, and ministry experiences. This book by Dr. Bowie and Dr. Handy is an invitation to shift in a new direction, experiencing fun and fruitfulness in ministry again.”

Dr. Candace M Lewis
President/Dean Gammon Theological Seminary

“Dare to Shift is a summons to every follower of Jesus of Nazareth and every Christian congregation to embrace disruption as an opportunity to claim the habits, practices, and disciplines that will forward the mission of God. Pastors Bowie and Handy have pointed the way with clarity, humility, courage, and grace.”

Bishop Gregory V. Palmer
West Ohio Conference of The United Methodist Church