Includes bibliographical references (pages 174-177) and indexes.

Part one: Do we really want to win? -- Playing to win beats playing around -- A reason to exist -- the kind of leadership we need- attracting and keeping leaders -- a strategy for getting it done -- The first step is to stop defeating ourselves -- Problems of inward focus -- problems of anarchy -- problems of democracy -- problems of oligarchy -- problems of hierarchy -- Three basics make a game worth playing -- The object of the game -- the rules of the game -- how to keep score -- the accountable leadership strategy -- Part two: Do we understand the game? -- The object of the game defines responsibility -- The source of our objective -Jesus's final word on the matter- Jesus's earlier mission statements -- the acts of the (commissioned) apostles -- winning at the object of the game -- The rules of the game create authority -- A word of warning about rules -- how boundaries work -- fair game -- breaking the rules -- changing the rules -- Accountability is how we keep score -- Safe and effective organization -- when goals are reached -- statistics vs. wins -- interpretation and application -- win, lose, or draw -- Part three: Do we know what position to play? -- Ministry is a team sport -- Diversity on the team -- captain of the team -- training and coaching for the team -- The congregation plays ministry -- Control vs. trust -- moving the world -- accountability-- official and otherwise -- The pastor plays leadership -- The case for a primary leader -- character of the pastor as leader -- modes of leading for three arenas -- limitations of accountable leadership -- The board plays governance -- The governance distinctive -- trustees for whom? -- defining the guiding principles -- keeping score and calling penalties -- supporting pastoral leadership -- keeping the board on track -- The staff plays management -- Excellence of execution -- a comprehensive staff -- the pastor's team -- two degrees of separation -- investment, not expense -- Part four: Do we have the right equipment? -- Organizational documents set up the game -- Creating a corporate "pair o' docs" -- clarity about the bylaws -- what the bylaws need to cover -- how the bylaws need to be changed -- how guiding principles authorize the pastor -- constructing the guiding principles -- mission principles, boundary principles -- accountability principles -- Schedules keep the game in play -- The influence of the annual calendar -- proportions of the meeting agenda -- process for training and selection -- the wisdom of a transition plan -- Affiliations relate the team to its league -- Winning in the congregational leagues -- winning in the presbyterian leagues -- winning in the episcopal leagues -- winning in the emerging leagues.