Everyone Leads

Drawing on decades of leadership experience, bestselling author Chris Lowney examines the profound challenges facing the global Catholic Church, shares real-life stories of Catholics making a difference, and offers practical suggestions for change. The Catholic Church is suffering its worst decline in five centuriesa precipitous slide that will turn catastrophic unless reversed by fundamental changes in strategy, culture, and leadership style. Even the inspiring leadership of Pope Francis will not reverse the slide without a strategy for action, from the grassroots through the hierarchy. Chris Lowney, a former Jesuit seminarian and business executive who now chairs one of the worlds largest Catholic ministries, not only outlines the challenges but also maps the path forward in Everyone Leads. After a bracing review of the churchs global strugglesfrom clergy shortages to declining participationLowney draws on two decades of change-management experience to propose an "EASTeR" strategy of five transformational principles: be entrepreneurial, be accountable, serve, transform, and reach out. These five ideas can catalyze profound change in every parish, in how bishops think, and in the roles laypeople play in leading the church. Filled with real-life examples, Everyone Leads outlines strategies that anyone can employfrom the pews to the pulpitto strengthen the church. As a former business executive who lectures globally about leadership, Lowney speaks credibly about the institutions challenges and potential. And, as chair of one of Catholicisms largest hospital systems, he writes from within as a Catholic who loves his church and is committed to seeing it flourish.