Spiritual Leadership by Oswald Sanders - Book Review
I cannot think of any other book that had such a significant impact in setting me on the journey for spiritual leadership and molding my leadership more than this book. After reading it 15 years ago; I’m surprised that its lessons are still as poignant as they were back in 2005.
I can understand why over the span of half a century, Oswald Sanders book has earned recognition as a classic in the study of principles of godly leadership. Chapter 21 – Perils of Leadership should be a companion for every leader.
Is it right for a person to want to be a leader? We mostly and with some level of hypocrisy tend to think that it is better for a leadership position to seek us out rather than us seeking it out. Sanders shows that there is a place for genuine ambition in leadership, including in spiritual leadership. Desiring to excel and lead is not a sin. It is motivation that determines ambition’s character.
What would be the usefulness of single person? The Bible shows us that when God does find a person who is ready to lead, to commit to full discipleship, and to take responsibility for others, that person’s usefulness is without limit. Sanders shows that such leaders still have shortcomings and flaws, but despite those limitations, they serve God greatly.
Leadership is influence, the ability of one person to influence others to follow his or her lead. All great leaders always know this. It appears to be paradoxical that a true and safe leader is likely to be one who has no desire to leader but is forced into a position by the inward leading of the Holy Spirit and the press of circumstances. When God calls us, we cannot refuse from a sense of inadequacy. Nobody is worthy of such trust. Sanders urges us not to pass the buck of leadership because we think ourselves incapable. The author shows that God gives leaders gifts and talents that fit their mission to which they were called and that it is the leader’s responsibility to develop the gift through devotion and discipline.
Sanders further shows that as leaders we must be willing to receive from others as well as give to others. To neglect receiving kindness and help is to isolate ourselves, to rob others of opportunity to give. But that real leadership recognizes the value of the gestures of others.
Above all things, a leader needs wisdom. If knowledge is the accumulation of facts and intelligence the development of reason, wisdom is heavenly discernment. It is insight into the heart of things. When all facts are in, a true leader needs to take a swift and clear decision.
Wisdom is also displayed in the leader’s patience and humility. A leader shows patience by not running too far ahead of his followers and thus discouraging them; while still keeping ahead enough to remain the leader and forerunner.
One of the precious jewels from the book is that the value of a life is not its duration but its donation – not how long we live but how fully and well we live.
3 Extracts from the book:
1. “To aspire to leadership in God’s kingdom requires us to be willing to pay a price higher than others are willing to pay. The toll of true leadership is heavy, and the more effective the leadership, the greater the cost”
2. “We naively think that the more we grow as Christians, the easier it will be to discern the will of God. But the opposite is often the case. God treats the mature leader as a mature adult, leaving more and more to his or her spiritual discernment and giving fewer bits of tangible guidance than in earlier years.”
3. “When God wants to drill a man and thrill a man and skill a man; when God wants to mold a man, to play the noblest part; When He yearns with all His heart to create a great and bold man, that all the world shall be amazed; Watch His methods, watch His ways! How he ruthlessly perfects who he royally selects! How he hammers him and hurts him, and with mighty blows converts him in trial shapes of clay which only God understands; while his tortured heart is crying and he lifts beseeching hands! How He bends but never breaks, how He uses whom He chooses and with every purpose fuse him; By every act induces him to try His splendor out – God knows what He’s about! – Author Unknown.”
I can understand why over the span of half a century, Oswald Sanders book has earned recognition as a classic in the study of principles of godly leadership. Chapter 21 – Perils of Leadership should be a companion for every leader.
Is it right for a person to want to be a leader? We mostly and with some level of hypocrisy tend to think that it is better for a leadership position to seek us out rather than us seeking it out. Sanders shows that there is a place for genuine ambition in leadership, including in spiritual leadership. Desiring to excel and lead is not a sin. It is motivation that determines ambition’s character.
What would be the usefulness of single person? The Bible shows us that when God does find a person who is ready to lead, to commit to full discipleship, and to take responsibility for others, that person’s usefulness is without limit. Sanders shows that such leaders still have shortcomings and flaws, but despite those limitations, they serve God greatly.
Leadership is influence, the ability of one person to influence others to follow his or her lead. All great leaders always know this. It appears to be paradoxical that a true and safe leader is likely to be one who has no desire to leader but is forced into a position by the inward leading of the Holy Spirit and the press of circumstances. When God calls us, we cannot refuse from a sense of inadequacy. Nobody is worthy of such trust. Sanders urges us not to pass the buck of leadership because we think ourselves incapable. The author shows that God gives leaders gifts and talents that fit their mission to which they were called and that it is the leader’s responsibility to develop the gift through devotion and discipline.
Sanders further shows that as leaders we must be willing to receive from others as well as give to others. To neglect receiving kindness and help is to isolate ourselves, to rob others of opportunity to give. But that real leadership recognizes the value of the gestures of others.
Above all things, a leader needs wisdom. If knowledge is the accumulation of facts and intelligence the development of reason, wisdom is heavenly discernment. It is insight into the heart of things. When all facts are in, a true leader needs to take a swift and clear decision.
Wisdom is also displayed in the leader’s patience and humility. A leader shows patience by not running too far ahead of his followers and thus discouraging them; while still keeping ahead enough to remain the leader and forerunner.
One of the precious jewels from the book is that the value of a life is not its duration but its donation – not how long we live but how fully and well we live.
3 Extracts from the book:
1. “To aspire to leadership in God’s kingdom requires us to be willing to pay a price higher than others are willing to pay. The toll of true leadership is heavy, and the more effective the leadership, the greater the cost”
2. “We naively think that the more we grow as Christians, the easier it will be to discern the will of God. But the opposite is often the case. God treats the mature leader as a mature adult, leaving more and more to his or her spiritual discernment and giving fewer bits of tangible guidance than in earlier years.”
3. “When God wants to drill a man and thrill a man and skill a man; when God wants to mold a man, to play the noblest part; When He yearns with all His heart to create a great and bold man, that all the world shall be amazed; Watch His methods, watch His ways! How he ruthlessly perfects who he royally selects! How he hammers him and hurts him, and with mighty blows converts him in trial shapes of clay which only God understands; while his tortured heart is crying and he lifts beseeching hands! How He bends but never breaks, how He uses whom He chooses and with every purpose fuse him; By every act induces him to try His splendor out – God knows what He’s about! – Author Unknown.”
Muhindo Malunga Lusukiro
Reflections on life, humanity, development and leadership
muhindoml@gmail.com | +243 993 401 064
Skype: Muhindo Malunga Lusukiro (muhindoml) | Twitter: @muhindoml
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