Justin A. Irving, Ph.D.
Originally from the Pacific Northwest, I now live in the Louisville area with my wife, Tasha. I am a Christ-follower on a journey of learning what it means to live, love, and lead with purpose. I’m passionate about helping others engage their lives and leadership with purpose.
Fueled by this passion, I served 20 years at Bethel Seminary in a variety of faculty and administrative roles, and now serve as Professor of Leadership at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY.
In the past I have served in a variety of roles, including worship leader and pastor of leadership development and outreach in the local church, chaplain at a homeless shelter, adjunct instructor of Bible, director of Bethel Seminary’s Doctor of Ministry program and Interim Co-Vice President and Dean of Bethel Seminary.
My research and writing interests include a focus on executive and empowering leadership, the role of hardships and obstacles in leadership development, the importance of purpose and meaning in leadership, team leadership in the global context, and the relationship between servant leadership and the effectiveness of teams and organizations. My most recent publication is Healthy Leadership in Thriving Organizations, and I’m also the author of Leadership in Christian Perspective together with Mark Strauss.
My academic-oriented writing is available on the following website: www.irvingresources.com. Reflections on the practice of leading, working, and serving on purpose are available here at my blog: www.purposeinleadership.com.
Purpose in Leadership 
I had the pleasure of serving with Justin in a small church community for several years. His integrity in spiritual leadership and unbending commitment to Christ have had an enormous influence on my life. I am excited to track this blog.
Justin,
I look forward to following your posts about leadership in the future. Thanks for sharing your experience and knowledge!
Brandon
Hi Bradon,
Thanks so much for your note. So go to hear that the leadership posts are helpful!
Justin
Justin – love your blog, brother! I am looking forward to reading more. I am just starting my own blog at http://www.johnhelmick.com. I also have a Ph.D….but it is in Chemistry, LoL! Love your ministry…that is fantastic! So glad we could connect! Blessings to you and yours!
By the way…my Success Coaching Twitter account is @helmicksuccess Not sure if that would be more relevant for you or not.
Hi Justin,
Looks like you’re off to a good start with your blog. I really like your message. I hope your success grows. I’m glad we were able to make a connection.
Five kids…God Bless You! We had our hands full with three boys.
Hi Justin,
I am looking forward to using many of your blog entries to lead discussions in a leadership development I am apart of starting in May. Thanks for the work.
I have heard good things about the Transformational Leadership courses at Bethel. I have a doctorate in education from Indiana University. My dissertation was on transformational leadership in the local church. So I’m very interested in this topic. I saw your quote from the Summit so found my way here.
I look forward to reading your blog.
Blessings,
Dave
Thanks for liking! Your site is an inspiration – I love the vocation category! Once we have a calling it all sort of falls into place doesn’t it?
Dr. Irving,
My name is Lawrence Funderburke, former OSU and NBA player. My wife and I are Christ followers and operate a for-profit (FIFE) and non-profit organization (LFYO). We offer holistic programs to organizations and the constituents they serve. I came across this website while working on a leadership project and the lessons I learned (and gleaned) about leadership while growing up on welfare in poverty in a female-dominated household. Paradoxically, poverty taught me a lot about personal and professional leadership … being underprivileged but feeling privileged to learn valuable lessons on life and leadership …. being poor in material possessions but rich in leverage-guided intangible assets … finding purpose in life through a purposeless living environment … being hopeful while living in a hope-deprived ecosystem … being an advocate of reciprocal forgiveness where the offender and offended are both blessed while being dropped by my father at the hands of paternal abandonment. I could go on and on, but you get the picture. I love leadership and feel very honored to teach this subject to middle-managers and C-Suite executives, and more importantly, to impoverished communities. I also love writing and have authored a few books. By God’s grace, I see myself as an empowerment crusader, image consultant, and transport specialist. Nothing more. Dressing people up for success and transporting them — intellectually and pictorially and figuratively speaking — to where they need to go in their life prospects and legacy pursuits. Look forward to learning more about your insights on biblical-based leadership. For more information on me, please visit MrFundy..com. When you have time, check out the two videos on the home page. Be blessed in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ!
Thanks for reaching out. It’s a joy to get to know you and hear of this important work you’re doing. The process you are using related to mental models, roadmaps, and contingency planning sounds like it is wonderfully empowering for the young people with whom you’re working. Blessings to you in this important work! – Justin