Book Review: Spiritual Leadership by J. Oswald Sanders

            With many modern attempts to restore proper biblical leadership in the Kingdom, J. Oswald Sanders contributed his work Spiritual Leadership to these noble efforts.  In his topical, systematic approach to issues with spiritual leadership, Sanders desire was the cultivation and enhancement of those pursuing the call of leadership in the Body.  He wrote, “The material has been presented in a form that is calculated to be of help even to younger Christians in whose hearts the Holy Spirit is working to create a holy ambition to place all their powers at the disposal of the Redeemer” (11-12).  Within his work, Sanders walked the reader from the foundational to the qualities of spiritual leadership, and the necessities to the pitfalls, partaking from biblical examples of leadership to forge sound advice to those desiring the office of leadership.

            As Sanders walked the reader through the course of spiritual leadership development, he maintained a excellent structure and flow throughout the work.  In the first five chapters, Sanders dealt with the “honorable ambition” of the call to spiritual leadership, and rhetorically begged the question of the reader, “Can you become a leader?” (36-37).   With a solid foundation established, Sanders, in the next five chapters, sought insights on leadership from Paul and Peter, explained essential qualities of leadership, noting that “above all else,” the leader was to be Spirit-filled, as “to be Spirit-filled is indispensable” (79).  Afterward, in chapters eleven through eighteen, he discussed the importance of prayer, time, reading, improving leadership, its cost, responsibilities, tests, and the need for delegation.  In chapters nineteen through twenty-two, he wrote regarding the replacement (Moses and Joshua), reproduction (Paul and Timothy), and perils of leadership, concluding with the example of Nehemiah.  Throughout this conscientious effort, Sanders structure and flow of his work allowed him to remain consistent and comprehensive regarding his topic.

            As Sanders discussed the foundational aspects of leadership, he noted, “True greatness, true leadership, is found in giving yourself in service to others, not in coaxing or inducing others to serve you” (15).  Also, “Spiritual leaders are not elected, appointed, or created by synods or churchly assemblies.  God alone makes them.  One does not become a spiritual leader by merely filling an office, taking course work in the subject, or resolving in one’s own will to do the task.  A person must qualify to be a spiritual leader” (18).  Evidently, God’s foundational model was different from the ideals of what Sanders called “natural leadership,” (Self-confident, ambitious, seeks personal reward, etc.) however, “Both natural and spiritual qualities reach their greatest effectiveness when employed in the service of God and for His glory” (28-29).  Ultimately, “there is no such thing as a self-made spiritual leader” (28).

With these truths as the underpinning of spiritual leadership, Sanders begged the question of personal qualification to the reader, asking varied questions grounded in biblical precept.  He said, “Desirable qualities were present in all their fullness in the character of our Lord.  Each Christian should make it his constant prayer that they might more rapidly be incorporated into their own personality” (37).  Using the examples of Paul and Peter, Sanders examined the qualities of spiritual leadership.  He referenced 1 Timothy, stating, “The qualities of leadership Paul taught are as relevant now as during the first century A.D.  We dare not toss them off as antiquated or carelessly regard them as mere options.”  As for Peter, Sanders referenced 1 Peter 5, encouraging, “The Christian leader need not fear that care of the flock of God will be too heavy a burden.  By God’s invitation, the leader can transfer the weight of spiritual burdens onto shoulders bigger, stronger, broader, and more durable.  God cares for you.  Let worries go!” (50).  While examining other qualities of the spiritual leader, he wrote, “God prepares leaders with a specific place and task in mind.  Training methods are adapted to the mission, and natural and spiritual gifts are given with clear purpose” (51).  As essentials, he listed the qualities of discipline, vision, wisdom, decision, courage, humility, integrity, and sincerity (53-62).  Other qualities mentioned were humor, (righteous) anger, patience, friendship, tact and diplomacy, inspirational power, executive ability and letter writing (67-76).  As mentioned earlier, that “above all else,” the leader was to be Spirit-filled, as “to be Spirit-filled is indispensable” (79).

Sanders not only identified the foundational and the qualities of spiritual leadership, but he also mentioned its necessities.  Of prayer, he wrote, “God will not cooperate with prayers of mere self-interest, or prayers that come from impure motives.  The Christian who clings to sin closes the ear of God.  Least of all will God tolerate unbelief, the chief of sins” (92).  Of time, he cautioned, “A leader needs a balanced approach to time lest it become his bondage and downfall” (98).  For reading he offered practical tips for effectiveness, particularly on what and how to read, stating, “Leaders should always cut a channel between reading and speaking and writing, so that others derive benefit, pleasure, and inspiration” (107).  With these tenets in mind, Sanders identified six areas that were to be cared for in improving leadership:  administration, spiritual tone, group morale, personal relationships, problem solving, and creative planning (112-113).  

Other necessities Sanders distinguished were leadership’s costs, responsibilities, tests, and the need for delegation.  The costs were listed as self-sacrifice, loneliness, fatigue, criticism, rejection, pressure and perplexity (116-122).  As for the responsibilities, they were discipline (also a quality), directing the confidence of others to the Lord, providing guidance, and initiation (126-128).  Along with these lists, a list of tests the spiritual leader faced were mentioned, such as compromise, ambition, the “impossible” situation, failure, and jealousy (131-135).  To the need of delegation, Sanders warned, “If we succumb to human persuasion and take on more than we should, God will accept no responsibility for the outcome” (140).

Pressing on with the task of teaching spiritual leadership, Sanders used the examples of Moses and Joshua in replacing spiritual leaders (144-145), while he chose Paul and Timothy as examples of reproducing spiritual leaders (148-149).  “God’s greatest gifts are always men.  His greatest endowment to the church was the gift of twelve men trained for leadership” (144).

With the foundation, the qualities, and the necessities, Sanders took care to explain certain perils or pitfalls of leadership.  He listed pride, egotism, jealousy, popularity, infallibility, indispensability, elation, depression, and disqualification (153-160).  With this list, Sanders offered encouragement with the example of Nehemiah, who despite the pitfalls, completed the task, as he quoted the book of Nehemiah:  “So the wall was completed” (Nehemiah 6:15, 166).   

            Within his work, Sanders walked the reader from the foundational to the qualities of spiritual leadership, and the necessities to the pitfalls, partaking from biblical examples to forge sound advice to those desiring the office of church leadership.  In reading Sanders’ work, those who pursue the call received what radio personality Paul Harvey would describe as “the rest of the story.”  As in the Scripture, he shared the good, bad, and the ugly of spiritual leadership, still begging the question in the reader’s mind “Can you become a leader?”  Each man of God should reflect on these words:  “No work of God will be left destitute until its purposes are achieved” (143), and “He [God] will take a man of lesser gifts that are fully available to Him and will supplement those gifts with His own mighty power” (145).  May the Lord help us to recognize utter need for Him in His service.