Spiritual Leadership: Principles of Excellence for Every Believer (Paperback)

by J.Oswald Sanders (Author) "Most Christians have reservations about aspiring to leadership..." (more)
Key Phrases: following questions for group discussion, ideal servant, spiritual leadership, Holy Spirit, Hudson Taylor, China Inland Mission (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"Spiritual Leadership should be the constant companion of every undershepherd in the Savior's service. Most helpful is the fact that its emphasis is not on methods, but on character, passion, and godliness. I read it often to regrip the basic perspectives of my task, and have given it to the entire leadership team in our church." -- John MacArthur, Jr. Pastor-Teacher Grace Community Church --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Product Description
Christianity needs powerful voices in today's world, voices from strong leaders guided by God and devoted to Christ. Spiritual Leadership will encourage you to place your talents and powers at His disposal so you can become a leader used for His glory. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Moody Publishers (May 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802482279
• ISBN-13: 978-0802482273
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (53 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #6,239 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Book on Christian Leadership Ever Written, July 8, 2001

By	Brian G Hedges (Niles, Michigan) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

This review is from: Spiritual Leadership (Commitment To Spiritual Growth) (Paperback)

I make it a habit to read several books on leadership or ministry skills every year. This is the best one I have ever read on the former subject.

J. Oswald Sanders left us with a true spiritual classic on what it means to embody the Biblical qualities of true godliness. I found this to be a very FULL book, with incredible insights packed into short epigrammatic sentences which are pregnant with meaning. It demands to be re-read.

Spiritual issues are examined from several different angles as Sanders unfolds the Biblical criterion for leaders chapter by chapter. It seemed to me like the book gets better and better as it goes. The two chapters dealing with "Qualities Essential to Leadership" (discipline, vision, wisdom, decision, courage, humility, integrity/sincerity, humor, anger, patience, friendship, tact/diplomacy, inspirational power, executive ability, the therapy of listening, and the art of letter writing - quite an interesting list!) are worth their weight in gold.

Several chapters that immediately attacted my attention were "The Leader and His Praying," "The Leader and His Time," and "The Leader and His Reading" - all three instructive and inspiring. Other beneficial chapters deal with the fullness of the Spirit, the cost of leadership, delegation, tests of true leadership, replacement and reproduction of leaders, and perils of the leader (a powerful chapter with a dynamic little section called "Prophet or Leader?").

Get this book and devour it - especially those of you who are pastors, elders, teachers, and deacons. Any one involved in roles of spiritual leadership should read this book.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Practical Teaching on Spiritual Leadership, August 14, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Spiritual Leadership (Commitment To Spiritual Growth) (Paperback)

I was recommended this book by one of my spiritual mentors who trains young adults for ministering to young people.

Sanders offers straightforward and practical teaching on leadership in the church.

Especially appealing to me were the chapters on prayer, time, and reading.

There is also helpful advice on delegating authority and reproducing leaders through mentorship and personal training.

The study guide is very helpful for use in leadership training courses for your church.

Chuck Colson says that this is the best book on Christian leadership he's read.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best leadership book I've read!!!, January 16, 2006

By	M. Teresa Trascritti (Ohio) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Spiritual Leadership (Commitment To Spiritual Growth) (Paperback)

Godly leadership is more than being the most qualified to lead. Leaders in Christian ministry must understand and practice servanthood as taught by Jesus. Sanders compares the characteristics of "natural" leadership to spiritual leadership. In "natural" leadership, the emphasis is on power- specifically the ability to get subordinates to do things "they don't want to do" and forcing people to act (27). Spiritual leadership is "influencing others spiritually" (28). Spiritual leaders must not only possess leadership skills, but be ready and prepared to fight a spiritual battle (53). Sanders reminds readers that "God prepares leaders with a specific place and task in mind" (51). Even though many Christians are not called to a full-time ministry, all Christians are leaders since they influence people (109). Sanders insists on a leadership model in which leadership is "from the top down"-"never" from the "bottom up" (113). This philosophy is consistent with his other statement, "no cross, no leadership" (116). His description of spiritual leadership seems bleak by "natural" standards: a leader "lives with loneliness" (117), "fatigue is the price of leadership" (119), and "no leader lives a day without criticism" (119). Sanders' leadership model is very biblical in that it reflects the principle of leadership under God's guidance-" Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid of them! The LORD your God will go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor forsake you" (Deu. 31:6 NLT). Leadership "from the top down" starts with God at the top. God is the Lord over creation, man, and the Sabbath and all is consecrated to Him. Ezekiel 37:23-24 explains, "They will truly be my people, and I will be their God. My servant David will be their king, and they will have only one shepherd. They will obey my regulations and keep my laws." In the same way, leaders should think of themselves as a vessel that is accountable to God.