Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)
Publication date: October 7, 2025
Intended audience: Faith leaders, nonprofit executives, business leaders, and anyone seeking to integrate integrity, strategy, and service into leadership
Introduction: When faith and leadership finally speak the same language
In a world where leadership books often swing to extremes—either deeply spiritual but impractical, or data-driven but soulless—A Charge to Keep by Rev. Kevin T. Taylor feels like a long-overdue middle ground.
Taylor, a seasoned pastor, educator, and former C-suite executive, builds a powerful argument: leadership is not just about results; it’s about responsibility. He challenges both business and faith leaders to lead with integrity, courage, and humility, while still pursuing measurable excellence.
What stands out from the very beginning is the fusion of two worlds—the moral gravity of ministry and the operational discipline of the corporate arena. The title itself, A Charge to Keep, comes from the notion that leadership is not ownership—it’s stewardship. Taylor writes, “We are not owners of power; we are caretakers of purpose.”
That balance between divine accountability and data-backed execution forms the backbone of this remarkable book.
The Core Message: Leadership as stewardship
At its heart, A Charge to Keep proposes that leadership is not an act of ambition but an act of service. It’s a manifesto for principled performance—the kind of leadership that moves organizations forward without compromising the soul of their mission.
Taylor draws from decades spent navigating two demanding worlds: the pulpit and the boardroom. He brings lessons from church growth, nonprofit management, and corporate finance, showing that success in any arena requires the same trio of elements:
- Clarity of purpose
- Financial and ethical integrity
- The courage to stay the course when pressure mounts
He writes with striking simplicity: “Strategy without integrity is manipulation; faith without execution is stagnation.”
Each chapter expands on this idea through stories of real transformation—how organizations falter when vision outruns stewardship, and how leaders regain balance by returning to mission-first thinking.
What Makes This Book Unique
1. A universal framework for leadership
Rather than chasing trends, Taylor introduces what he calls immutable lessons—principles that outlast industries, generations, and even leadership styles. Whether you’re managing a church, a school, or a multi-million-dollar nonprofit, the core playbook remains the same: lead transparently, build trust deliberately, and keep people—and purpose—at the center of every decision.
He doesn’t overwhelm readers with abstract theology or management jargon. Instead, he anchors his insights in repeatable processes and mindset shifts. For instance, his discussion on decision-making urges leaders to “read context before reacting,” blending biblical exegesis with managerial clarity.
2. Faith meets finance
One of Taylor’s most practical strengths is how seamlessly he connects spiritual stewardship and fiscal responsibility. In one of the book’s most resonant lines, he notes:
“You can’t pray a budget into balance. You must plan, communicate, and account for every resource as an act of faith itself.”
It’s a sharp reminder that stewardship is not a constraint—it’s a calling. His real-world examples of churches and nonprofits recovering from financial instability make the book immensely relatable for leaders who’ve struggled with transparency or structure.
3. A rare tone of humility and hope
Unlike many leadership authors who preach from the mountaintop, Taylor writes from the trenches. His tone is mentor-like rather than messianic—firm but kind, pragmatic but encouraging. Every lesson feels both earned and lived.
He often admits his own leadership missteps and invites readers to learn alongside him. The effect is refreshing—it dismantles the idea that strong leadership means being unbreakable. Instead, it positions strength as the ability to listen, recalibrate, and persist with grace.
Writing Style & Readability
Taylor’s writing is clear, disciplined, and intentional—much like the leaders he wants to cultivate. Each chapter opens with a sharp premise, builds with real-life illustrations, and closes with takeaway reflections.
This is not a quick “airport read.” It’s a book you work through—perhaps with a highlighter and a journal. The pacing encourages contemplation. There are phrases that demand you pause, such as:
“Your team doesn’t need you to be perfect—they need you to be principled.”
The structure makes the content adaptable for leadership retreats, staff workshops, and ministry discussions. Each section feels designed for reflection and group dialogue, not just private reading.
About the Author: Rev. Kevin T. Taylor
Rev. Kevin T. Taylor is a multifaceted leader whose career bridges faith, education, and executive management. He currently serves as Pastor of Israel A.M.E. Church in Albany, New York, where he has revitalized community engagement through initiatives like Speaking Truth to Power Tuesdays and The Summer Literacy Challenge.
Before entering full-time ministry, Taylor spent more than two decades in corporate leadership—serving as a CEO, CFO, and nonprofit strategist. His professional history includes roles at KIPP Massachusetts, the Connecticut RISE Network, and education and sustainability organizations across the U.S.
Named among Marquis Who’s Who (2025) and honored by the 100 Men of Color Awards, Taylor brings academic precision and pastoral empathy to every platform. His ability to translate high-level governance lessons into community-based practice has made him a trusted voice among faith-driven professionals and ethical business leaders alike.
Taylor’s background shapes his credibility—when he talks about leadership under pressure, he’s speaking from a lifetime of navigating it in both the boardroom and the pulpit.
Who Should Read A Charge to Keep
This is not just a book for church leaders—it’s for anyone who leads with conscience.
- Faith leaders who want to modernize their organizations without compromising spiritual values.
- Nonprofit executives struggling to balance mission with sustainability.
- Business leaders who believe profit should never come at the expense of principle.
- Emerging leaders seeking timeless guidance in a world obsessed with trends.
Taylor’s book would make an excellent reading companion for leadership cohorts, seminary classes, or executive retreats. Its cross-disciplinary lens ensures every reader finds something practical, no matter their field.
The Drawback
If there’s one critique, it’s that A Charge to Keep can occasionally linger in its storytelling. Taylor’s commitment to context and clarity sometimes slows the pace for readers used to snappier business writing. But that patience is precisely what gives the book its depth—this isn’t a collection of slogans; it’s a leadership manual rooted in reflection and discipline.
Those willing to sit with its insights will come away not just informed but transformed.
Overall Rating & Recommendation ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)
A Charge to Keep is a thoughtful, richly layered guide that belongs on the shelf of anyone who believes leadership is both a privilege and a trust. It teaches how to lead with both grace and grit, and how to anchor strategy in service.
For those navigating high-stakes roles where moral clarity meets managerial complexity, this book offers something rare: a roadmap for leading well and living right.
👉 Purchase link: Amazon – A Charge to Keep
Conclusion
“In the end, A Charge to Keep reminds us that leadership is not ownership—it’s stewardship. Whether you’re managing a business, a congregation, or a movement, your greatest charge is not what you build, but who you become while building it.”
