Spiritual Leadership
by J. Oswald Sanders
On This Page
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 show more 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. show lessTags
Recommendations
Member Reviews
This was probably one of the first Christian books on leadership to lay the foundation for the Christian Mega Pastor CEO. It has some good sections and paragraphs (4star), but I think Pastoral Leadership is different than Corporate Leadership, and the confusion of principles leads to treating the flock like a workforce. I’ve sat through many sermons that follow this thread of “Effective Corporate Management” with hand-picked verses we are supposed to interpret to reverse support…”you can be a good leader in the office or church because the Bible teaches…”
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, but for spiritually guided and sacrificial leadership.
show more 《领袖》一书历经时间的考验（繁体版为《属灵领袖》），已成为领导力领域中的经典之作。在本书中，孙德生引用了一大批杰出领袖的生命例证，包括摩西、保罗、尼希米、大卫·李文斯顿与司布真等，通过别具洞见的分析论证，将领袖的特质一一讲明。
本书的一大特点是，作者孙德生不但重视领袖的超人天分，更强调领袖本身应当具备的品德素养。
现代社会中，生活节奏加快，竞争愈加激烈，人们为求成功不择手段，道德底线一次又一次被野蛮地打破，急功近利、以成败论英雄的思潮大有泛滥之势。处在如此道德困境中，这个时代的领袖更需要在品德上建立自己，乐于舍己、奉献，以真正伟大的人格魅力开创真正伟大的事业。
本书共分为二十二个课题，内容十分全面，如属灵领袖的时间管理、人际关系、责任分配、领袖培训和阅读，以及对下一代领袖的栽培，不但对年轻读者有所帮助，对于较成熟的读者也具参考作用。附有“问题与讨论”，帮助您进一步思考每章的主题，颇具实际操作性。 show less
本书的一大特点是，作者孙德生不但重视领袖的超人天分，更强调领袖本身应当具备的品德素养。
现代社会中，生活节奏加快，竞争愈加激烈，人们为求成功不择手段，道德底线一次又一次被野蛮地打破，急功近利、以成败论英雄的思潮大有泛滥之势。处在如此道德困境中，这个时代的领袖更需要在品德上建立自己，乐于舍己、奉献，以真正伟大的人格魅力开创真正伟大的事业。
本书共分为二十二个课题，内容十分全面，如属灵领袖的时间管理、人际关系、责任分配、领袖培训和阅读，以及对下一代领袖的栽培，不但对年轻读者有所帮助，对于较成熟的读者也具参考作用。附有“问题与讨论”，帮助您进一步思考每章的主题，颇具实际操作性。 show less
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 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. show more 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
Over 22 chapters the author explores spiritual leadership and its qualities. Each chapter focuses on either a principle of leadership or insights from a 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. show more 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
Some books you read once, set aside, and never think about again. This is not the case with "Spiritual Leadership" by J. Oswald Sanders. I get the distinct impression that I will be visiting it again and again over the course of whatever time God has determined for me on this earth.
The chapters are full of practical wisdom, spiritual insights, and profound quotes about the requirements, challenges, dangers, and rewards of spiritual leadership. I found myself underlining large sections.
Three chapters really stood out to me: "The Leader and Time", "The Leader and Reading", and "The Perils of Leadership".
Whether you are a pastor, a missionary, a Bible college student, or a Sunday school superintendent, this book is a show more must-read.
www.comingstobrazil.com show less
The chapters are full of practical wisdom, spiritual insights, and profound quotes about the requirements, challenges, dangers, and rewards of spiritual leadership. I found myself underlining large sections.
Three chapters really stood out to me: "The Leader and Time", "The Leader and Reading", and "The Perils of Leadership".
Whether you are a pastor, a missionary, a Bible college student, or a Sunday school superintendent, this book is a show more must-read.
www.comingstobrazil.com show less
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 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 show more 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. show less
From the beginning of the book, Sanders sets the tone for the rest of the text as he states that leaders have the show more 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. show less
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.
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.
Members
- Recently Added By
Lists
Xenos Christian Fellowship Book Suggestions
102 works; 2 members
Trinity Norman Recommended Christian Readings
170 works; 5 members
Author Information
147 Works 10,973 Members
J. Oswald Sanders (1902-1992) was an international Christian preacher, missionary statesman, and prolific author for nearly seventy years and wrote over forty books on spiritual living. This respected Bible teacher and writer influenced Christians throughout the world for much of the twentieth century. He is primarily remembered for his Christian show more classic Spiritual Leadership and as the general director of the Overseas Missionary Fellowship (formerly China Inland Mission). Dr. Sanders died in his native New Zealand at the age of ninety. show less
Some Editions
Work Relationships
Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- Spiritual Leadership
- Original title
- Spiritual leadership
- Alternate titles
- 屬靈領袖. English; 領袖: 屬靈領導原則及實踐. English
- Original publication date
- 1967
- Epigraph
- To aspire to leadership is an honorable ambition. 1 Timothy 3:1
Should you then seek great things for yourself? Seek them not. Jeremiah 45:5 - First words
- Most Christians have reservations about aspiring to leadership.
[Foreword] This book has grown out of two series of messages delivered to the leaders of the Overseas Missionary Fellowship t conferences in Singapore in 1964 and 1966.
Paul's affirmation that aspiration to leadership is an honorable ambition will not be accepted by all Christians without a measure of reservation. - Quotations
- Cromwell, I charge thee, fling away ambitions, By that sin fell the angels; how can a man then, The image of his Maker, hope to profit by't? Shakespeare
- Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)In Nehemiah's case, the record is clear: "So the wall was completed" (6:15).
(Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)[Foreword] If there is something, too, that will rekindle aspiration and crystallize a fresh purpose in the hearts of those further along the road of leadership the aim of the book will be realized.
(Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)The record stands: "So the wall was finished" (6:15). - Blurbers
- Maxwell, John C.; MacArthur, John F., Jr.; Colson, Charles W.; Kennedy, D. James; Wiersbe, Warren W.; Lutzer, Erwin W.
Classifications
- Genres
- Business, Religion & Spirituality, Nonfiction
- DDC/MDS
- 253.2 — Religion Christian pastoral practice & religious orders Pastoral work (Pastoral theology) The Minister's Personal Life
- LCC
- BV652.1 .S3 — Philosophy, Psychology and Religion Practical Theology Practical Theology Ecclesiastical theology Church management. Efficiency
- BISAC
Statistics
- Members
- 4,747
- Popularity
- 3,003
- Reviews
- 25
- Rating
- (3.81)
- Languages
- 7 — Chinese, English, French, German, Hungarian, Portuguese, Spanish
- Media
- Paper, Audiobook, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 30
- ASINs
- 24