As the year draws to a close, I want to offer you a gift in the form of a challenge.
One of my top three favourite books is Abba’s Child by Brennan Manning. First published by NavPress in 1994, this book has become a personal tradition—I’ve read it every year for the past four years, and I’m currently three-quarters of the way through it once again. It’s not a leadership book in the conventional sense, but it speaks deeply to the soul of the leader, addressing the inner life that sustains us through the pressures and complexities of leadership.
Manning writes with raw honesty, drawing from his own struggles and failures to guide readers toward a place of acceptance, peace, and belonging. His central message is clear: our worth is not dependent on our performance or circumstances, but on our identity as beloved children of God. This truth is especially powerful for leaders, who often feel the need to project strength and stability even when they’re wrestling with doubt or exhaustion.
One of the most striking insights Manning offers is how easily we fall into the trap of believing we are only worthy of God’s love when life is going well. When things unravel, we put on a mask—pretending all is fine—while inside we feel distant from God. Manning challenges this illusion and invites us to embrace a more intimate, authentic relationship with our Creator.
Reading Abba’s Child introduces you to your true identity as God’s beloved—Abba’s child. Manning’s reflections help us recognize and release the “imposter” within, the false self we construct to gain approval or avoid vulnerability. In doing so, we are freed from the exhausting burden of trying to be someone we’re not. This freedom is not only spiritually transformative—it makes us better leaders, more grounded, more compassionate, and more authentic.
My copy of the book is heavily marked, with nearly every page underlined or highlighted. But one quote stands out above the rest: Manning describes God as “…a Saviour of boundless compassion, infinite patience, unbearable forgiveness, and love that keeps no score of wrongs.” It’s a beautiful reminder of the grace that underpins our faith and leadership. So here is my challenge to you: read Abba’s Child. I truly believe it will change you—and in doing so, it will make you a better leader. That is my gift to you.