A good book on the spiritual disciplines of church leaders

books:


	• Spiritual Leadership (Commitment To Spiritual Growth) J.Oswald Sanders Moody Publishers, 1994 - 192 pages average customer review:based on 49 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

A Classic That Needs Updated for Our Context

Overview
In this book, which has been labeled a classic by many, Sanders takes us on a tour of leaders in the past -primarily spiritual leaders - in an attempt to help us understand the character qualities, the life, the cost and the potential pitfalls of leadership. His premise is that God is looking for people to do His work in this world and that it is a good and honorable thing for people to seek to partner with God in His work. Along the way he helps us to see through scripture and history, the kind of people that God is looking for - people of character who are willing to pay the price of leadership. Not only does he discuss the life and responsibilities of spiritual leaders, but also the common pitfalls that leaders should avoid.

Proactive Questions
What idea did Sander write about in 1967 that seems especially significant for our day?
One of the basic ideas that Sanders communicated in his day that is significant in our day is the importance of incarnation and example. As communal beings it seems that more is caught than taught, so how we live our life in the midst of others, significantly shapes those around us. Sanders points to the primacy of example by loading his book with examples; from the example of Christ, to the example of the prophets, and to the examples of spiritual leaders both in and outside of scripture - people like Nehemiah, Hudson Taylor, A.B. Simpson and John Wesley. Because we live in a culture where we are keenly aware of the many pitfalls of leadership, both through our personal experiences as well as the media, one of the more powerful ways of moving past skepticism and cynicism is through incarnation. People yearn for a living, breathing tangible example that they can both see and imitate. What Sanders mentioned about Jaffrey - a missionary to Vietnam - speaks to this, "Nothing can take the place of affection.... Intellect will not do. Bible knowledge is not enough. Jaffrey loved people for their own sakes..." So while the responsibilities for leadership may include a long list, it seems that being living examples of Christlikeness should continue to top the list. Not only will this meet a great need in our day, but it will also help us to avoid the common pitfalls of leadership.

Which quotes, thoughts or ideas especially spoke to me at this time in my life?
While there were many thoughts, quotes and ideas that spoke to me as I was reading, I want to point out the ones that stood out the most. I really enjoyed the section on wisdom where Sanders said, "If knowledge is the accumulation of facts, and intelligence the development of reason, wisdom is heavenly discernment. "Wisdom is nine-tenths a matter of being wise in time," said Theodore Roosevelt. Most of us are "too often wise after the event." I would say that I have felt the pain of some unwise decisions as of late, which makes this particular saying speak loud. Most of the thoughts on this short section of wisdom (Pg. 57,58) were meaningful. Here are some other sections that really spoke to me: When Sanders reminds us about the importance of humor (Pg. 67,68) the importance of listening (Pg. 75) the importance of prayer (chapter 11) as well as giving us advice on how and what to read (chapter 13.) Other significant sections for me were: the tests of leadership (chapter 17) and the perils of leadership (chapter 21.) In particular I found the section on the role of the prophet and leader (Pg. 159) very thought provoking and would like to take more time to consider the similarities and differences between a leader and prophet.

Which ideas in the books seem contrary to our current cultural context?
Overall I felt the book to have a strong hierarchal leaning as well as an emphasis on men, which probably fit the 1960's well, but seems a bit out of place in my current context. For example when Sanders says, "One more way to improve leadership potential: resist the idea of `leadership from the rear.' True leadership is always from the top down, never from the bottom up. It was leadership from the rear that led Israel back into the wilderness." (Pg. 113) While it is possible that I am misunderstanding Sanders here, I feel that this quote demonstrates the leaning of this book. My sense is that in my current context - North America, we have been seeing a shift from hierarchal structures to flatter structures, from a solo leader to more egalitarian teamwork, and from Moses on Mt. Sinai to "open source" when it comes to ideas and the implementation of ideas. And while context doesn't determine everything, the scripture seems more flexible than static in terms of leadership. After all there are five equippers in Ephesians four, not one. While Sanders rightly stresses the importance of character, he sometimes seems to go to the extreme when talking about time and cost (especially the section on the cost of the one man's family Pg. 122); he also seems to emphasize the spiritual hero concept more the wounded healer who leads in the context of the entire community. Len Hjalmarson talks about a new way to lead in an article called Leading from the Margins where he says, "Instead of leading over, we lead from among; instead of leading from certainty, we lead by exploration, cooperation and faith; instead of leading from power, we lead in emptiness depending on Jesus; instead of leading as managers, we lead as mystics and poets, `speaking poetry in a prose flattened world' and articulating a common future; instead of leading from the center, we lead from the margins."

Summary and Synthesis
In Spiritual Leadership, Sanders demonstrates that we can learn much about leadership as we examine the lives those who have gone before us. He helps us to remember the importance of personal example and reminds us of the enduring qualities which we should all seek to emulate by God's power. Probably one of the reasons that this book has risen to a classic status for some, is because Sanders weaves together a tapestry of rich quotes and real life stories of people who are modeling the enduring qualities that he is talking about. And while there is much to recommend in this book, as it relates to the character, cost and pitfalls of leadership, I think it will be both wise and important to understand the context in which it was written, as well as our current context. As God moves us toward the eschaton, I think it would be vital for us to evaluate our current practices anticipating the reality of God's future, which is different from our past. So while we are called to imitate the faith of those who have gone before us, we must remember where we are at in God's story. For faithfulness to God and to His story requires being immersed in the text and rightly following God in our context as we anticipate our future.

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A good book on the spiritual disciplines of church leaders

Oswald Sanders, in Spiritual Leadership, writes for the future of the church. In order to secure the faithfulness of the work of the church, he aims directly for the members of the church, universal's leaders. He writes for pastors, missionaries, teachers and other administrators to challenge them towards greater faithfulness and effectiveness in their God-ordained leadership roles.

According to Sanders, the Christian leader, unlike other positions of authority, should never campaigns for himself. Only God can make someone a spiritual leader, and the duty and call of others is to recognize God's call of leadership towards them. Not only are the responsibilities of leadership on those who are called to be leaders, but at times more importantly, the ones who recognize the faithfulness of God and his leaders have the great responsibility. Christian leadership involves a dual connection, with God vertically and with the church as a whole horizontally. Only when these dual connections are firm to the leader, can the church move forward in its call of faithfulness and communion with the Lord who saved her.

The spiritual leader makes a disciplined habit of learning from others, his weaknesses, and makes plans to strengthen himself for spiritual leadership. The great resource for spiritual leaders is from the example of those who have gone before, especially those described in the Bible. From the Apostle Paul, the spiritual leader learns to be gentle, understood by the outside world and practices avoiding unnecessary arguments. From Peter, the leader learns to shepherd the flock and to learn from mistakes. Above all else, the spiritual leader should use the gifts of the Spirit raised in him from the time of conversion.

Throughout a lifetime of personal growth in leadership, Sanders makes clear that the habits of an increasing prayer life are evident. Time is the most precious resource. Through effective use of time a leader reads and studies, improves listening skills and looks for opportunities to effectively use skills of command and persuasion to guide others to a closer walk with the risen Lord.

Learning that one is always replaceable and should work to replace themselves is the great reign on the humility of the leaders. Fearlessness and courage often go hand in hand with the wisdom skills developed that come from making clear, decisive decisions quickly.
Sanders is quick to point out that leadership comes with a cost. It is self-sacrificial, fatiguing, full of opportunities of criticism and pressure and rejection are often common companions. Leaders should be constantly admonished to count the cost, but part of that cost has to always be the joy in seeing God redeem and sanctify what was once broken and lost.

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Excellent

Spiritual Leadership is an excellent book with a great study guide for individuals or groups. Sanders makes you take a look at yourself and evaluate where you are in your walk with God. If you want to grow in Spiritual Leadership then this book is for you!

When I know you'll know

Using this book as a text for a class. Have not read it yet. I can tell you how good or bad it is when I get a chance to read it. Sorry for not being much help

Toughen up!

I have found this book to be a bit on the 'tough' side, making leadership out to be more tough and hazardous, rather than rewarding. It's akin to the drill sergeant telling you how tough life will become for you if you choose this route. It's not the most encouraging, uplifting reading I've ever encountered.

However, it does offer many excellent perspectives on leadership from those who have been in the trenches and on the mountaintops. Many of these perspectives differ greatly from each other, which makes for a great compilation on Christian leadership.

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reviews: 1, 2, page 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

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