Status
Available
Call number
Collection
Publication
Moody Publishers (2007), Edition: New, 208 pages
Description
Over 1 million copies sold What every church will always need The need for talented, vigorous leaders in the church cannot be overemphasized. Such times demand active service of men and women who are guided by and devoted to Jesus Christ. With more than 1 million copies sold, Spiritual Leadership stands as a proven classic for developing such leadership. J. Oswald Sanders, a Christian leader for nearly seventy years and author of more than forty books, presents the key principles of leadership in both the temporal and spiritual realms. He illustrates his points with examples from Scripture and biographies of eminent men of God, such as Moses, Nehemiah, the apostle Paul, David Livingstone, Charles Spurgeon, and others. Featured topics include: The cost of leadership The responsibility of leadership Tests of leadership The qualities and criteria of leadership The art of reproducing leaders The one indispensable requirement of leadership Sanders holds that even natural leadership qualities are God-given, and their true effectiveness can only be reached when they are used to the glory of God. Let this classic be your guide for leadership, and watch how God works through you to do great things for His glory.… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member dive222
In the book, Spiritual Leadership, Oswald Sanders attempts to define a leadership style, which is often contrary to the natural definition of leadership. The author proposes many of the characteristics and qualities of today’s spiritual leader and then illustrates these principles of leadership
From the beginning of the book, Sanders sets the tone for the rest of the text as he states that leaders have the need to be “authoritative, spiritual, and sacrificial” (18). The author then moves into a side-by-side comparison of natural and spiritual leadership to show the sharp contrast in leadership style expected of a believer in a leadership role. A poignant remark that expounds this truth is that “spiritual leadership requires superior spiritual power, which can never be generated by the self” (28). Next, there is a transition to the qualifications for spiritual leadership, which include: social qualification (reputation above reproach), moral qualification (unchallengeable morality), mental qualification (one of sound judgment), personality qualification (gentle and hospitable), domestic qualification (ability to manage family and home), and maturity (40-45). Sanders uses the lives of Paul and Peter to illustrate many of these principles and to display that these principles of leadership are applicable not just for the apostles, but also for the reader in today’s generation.
After viewing multiple aspects of the qualifications of leaders, Sanders then illustrates essential qualities of a leadership, such as discipline, courage, humility, etc. Surprisingly, the author includes “humor” within one of the essential qualities of leadership. He stated “humor is a great asset and an invaluable lubricant in missionary life” (66). Far surpassing many of the qualities discussed, the author believes that a man who is filled with the Spirit is paramount. The disciples indeed needed supernatural power in order to fight against the powers of evil (80). This power was an indispensable aspect of being a Spirit-filled leader and it is an aspect that cannot be learned or created from within. In the final closing chapters of the text, the author proposes spiritual disciplines pertinent for the spiritual leader that are reminiscent of Richard Foster’s Celebration of Discipline. These disciplines include prayer, time management, reading, improving one’s leadership style, delegation and replacing/reproducing leaders.
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through the lives of Godly men and women and throughout the Word of God. At the outset of the reading, the reader is encouraged to understand the paradoxical truth of leadership that will be in focus, which is that true greatness is found in giving oneself in service to others and not through selfish promotion of one’s self (13). From the beginning of the book, Sanders sets the tone for the rest of the text as he states that leaders have the need to be “authoritative, spiritual, and sacrificial” (18). The author then moves into a side-by-side comparison of natural and spiritual leadership to show the sharp contrast in leadership style expected of a believer in a leadership role. A poignant remark that expounds this truth is that “spiritual leadership requires superior spiritual power, which can never be generated by the self” (28). Next, there is a transition to the qualifications for spiritual leadership, which include: social qualification (reputation above reproach), moral qualification (unchallengeable morality), mental qualification (one of sound judgment), personality qualification (gentle and hospitable), domestic qualification (ability to manage family and home), and maturity (40-45). Sanders uses the lives of Paul and Peter to illustrate many of these principles and to display that these principles of leadership are applicable not just for the apostles, but also for the reader in today’s generation.
After viewing multiple aspects of the qualifications of leaders, Sanders then illustrates essential qualities of a leadership, such as discipline, courage, humility, etc. Surprisingly, the author includes “humor” within one of the essential qualities of leadership. He stated “humor is a great asset and an invaluable lubricant in missionary life” (66). Far surpassing many of the qualities discussed, the author believes that a man who is filled with the Spirit is paramount. The disciples indeed needed supernatural power in order to fight against the powers of evil (80). This power was an indispensable aspect of being a Spirit-filled leader and it is an aspect that cannot be learned or created from within. In the final closing chapters of the text, the author proposes spiritual disciplines pertinent for the spiritual leader that are reminiscent of Richard Foster’s Celebration of Discipline. These disciplines include prayer, time management, reading, improving one’s leadership style, delegation and replacing/reproducing leaders.
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LibraryThing member nesum
A very nice volume on Christian leadership that balances the typical quotes from leaders of history with a focus on biblical qualifications and examples. Of course, with all books of men, we have a couple of small problems here or there, but basically this is a solid call not only for leadership,
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but for spiritually guided and sacrificial leadership. Show Less
LibraryThing member shdawson
Humbling. Dated, so do not discount the writing style. A necessary text for anyone desiring to lead for Christ.
LibraryThing member david__clifford
Chapter 12 on reading books was good.
LibraryThing member deusvitae
A transcribed series of lectures by the author on spiritual leadership with an emphasis on preachers or pastors, especially foreign missionaries.
Over 22 chapters the author explores spiritual leadership and its qualities. Each chapter focuses on either a principle of leadership or insights from a
Sanders lays down powerful challenges for anyone who would presume spiritual leadership; by the end of the book one is struck by the difficulties and major transformations in character one would need to prove effective as a spiritual leader. Such a response is by design; the author intends to show just how difficult it is to reflect the wide range of characteristics needed for good spiritual leadership: devotion to God in Christ, a desire to lead yet humility in practice, firm in conviction yet willing to work with people, immersed in prayer, willing to suffer the cost of leadership, navigating the differences between worldly and spiritual leadership, and empowering others to work and lead in turn. Paul, Peter, and Nehemiah, among others, are lauded for their leadership and held out as examples for believers.
A good resource for all who have significant responsibilities in the Lord's vineyard; one will find strength and challenge no matter how long, or how effectively, one has encouraged others in the work.
**--galley received as part of early review program
Over 22 chapters the author explores spiritual leadership and its qualities. Each chapter focuses on either a principle of leadership or insights from a
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particularly noted character regarding leadership. The author makes frequent use of quotations from many prominent characters in Evangelical history; how many are still well known today is an open question.Sanders lays down powerful challenges for anyone who would presume spiritual leadership; by the end of the book one is struck by the difficulties and major transformations in character one would need to prove effective as a spiritual leader. Such a response is by design; the author intends to show just how difficult it is to reflect the wide range of characteristics needed for good spiritual leadership: devotion to God in Christ, a desire to lead yet humility in practice, firm in conviction yet willing to work with people, immersed in prayer, willing to suffer the cost of leadership, navigating the differences between worldly and spiritual leadership, and empowering others to work and lead in turn. Paul, Peter, and Nehemiah, among others, are lauded for their leadership and held out as examples for believers.
A good resource for all who have significant responsibilities in the Lord's vineyard; one will find strength and challenge no matter how long, or how effectively, one has encouraged others in the work.
**--galley received as part of early review program
Show Less
LibraryThing member OCMCCP
The need for talented vigorous leaders in the church cannot be overemphasized.
Such times demand active service of men and women who are guided by and devoted
to Jesus Christ.
With more than 750,000 copies in print, Spiritual Leadership
stands as a proven classic for developing such leadership. In
Sanders presents the key principles of leadership in both the temporal and spiritual
realms, illustrating his points with examples from Scripture and biographies of
eminent men of God (Moses, Nehemiah, Paul, David Livingstone, Charles Spurgeon,
and others). He writes that even natural leadership qualities are God-given, and
their true effectiveness can only be reached when they are used to the glory of
God. Featured topics include:
The cost of leadership The responsibility
of leadership Tests of leadership The qualities and criteria of leadership
The art of reproducing leaders The one indispensable requirement of leadership
Such times demand active service of men and women who are guided by and devoted
to Jesus Christ.
With more than 750,000 copies in print, Spiritual Leadership
stands as a proven classic for developing such leadership. In
Show More
these pages J. OswaldSanders presents the key principles of leadership in both the temporal and spiritual
realms, illustrating his points with examples from Scripture and biographies of
eminent men of God (Moses, Nehemiah, Paul, David Livingstone, Charles Spurgeon,
and others). He writes that even natural leadership qualities are God-given, and
their true effectiveness can only be reached when they are used to the glory of
God. Featured topics include:
The cost of leadership The responsibility
of leadership Tests of leadership The qualities and criteria of leadership
The art of reproducing leaders The one indispensable requirement of leadership
Show Less
Original publication date
1967