Spiritual Leadership

by J. Oswald Sanders

What a Christian Leader Looks Like

There is so much written by brilliant leaders who have studied the psychology, sociology, and habits of effective leadership (I love Maxwell). But what about spiritual leadership? How does Christian leadership stand in contrast to the leadership style of the world? Horizontally, leadership is influence, but spiritual leadership is something more. It uses natural ability and God-given power in sacrifical service to others that they might be built up in love, satisfied in Christ, and live for the glory of God. It has a different goal, means, and method than leadership according to the world. A spiritual leader is one because he is consumed with Christ- His work, His power, His glory, His people, His service and His call upon his life.

Topics include

The cost of leadership, responsibilities of leadership, tests of leadership, the qualities and criteria of leadership, the art of reproducing leaders and even less addressed topics like prayer, time management, humor, reading, and delegating.

Best Quotes

“True Greatness, true leadership, is found in giving yourself away in service to others, not in coaxing or inducing others to serve you.”

“Under the Spirit’s control, natural gifts of leadership are lifted to their highest power and sanctified for holy purpose…All real Christian service is but the expression of the Spirit’s power through believers yielded to Him…the one called into spiritual leadership can be confident that the Spirit has given him or her all the necessary gifts for the service at hand.” p.82

Regarding our busyness: “Each of us has the time to do the whole will of God for our lives.”

“Fatigue is the price of leadership. Mediocrity is the result of never getting tired.”

“The greatest achievements in the history of the Church have come from leaders close to God who took courageous, calculated risks.”