A Look at Spiritual Leadership by J. Oswald Sanders
As part of my internship I was required to read Spiritual Leadership by J. Osawald Sanders. I liked the way that the book covered many areas of spiritual leadership with each chapter focusing on a separate aspect of a spiritual leader. One of the chapters that stood out to me the most was the one on Prayer. Sanders mentions how we tend to resist prayer in spite of how scripture is filled with examples of people finding enjoyment in prayer and turning to prayer in even the most trying of circumstances. He went on to express how we should strive to pray more and to do so more passionately. This area is one in which I could use a lot more work. I don’t find myself praying as much as I should. I don’t pray for my city or those around me, so, that Is an area that I need to be working on and praying about.
One of the aspects of the book that I found most enjoyable was the way that Sanders brought in stories of christians that came before us who exemplified the characteristics that were discussed in each chapter. This method made all the characteristics more relevant because it showed me that, more than just lofty goals in Leadership, that people can really experienced these traits in their lives.
Since the Book covered so many areas of leadership I found that many areas actually applied to me. In one of the chapters Sanders states that a leader cannot lead where he has not gone himself. this struck me because It made me realize that if I want to be able to lead people spiritually and pour into others that I must first be investing more time in spending time in the word and telling others about what God is doing in my life. I need to strive to be growing closer to God if I want to be able to be nurturing that sort of growth in others.
It was good that Sanders did not choose to paint leadership as just a simple and easy occupation. He includes multiple chapters towards the end of the book where he breaks down the cost and responsibilities of leadership. These chapters served to put into light the realities that Spiritual leadership demands a lot physically and emotionally from the person in the position of leadership. I am not sure if I fully agree with the statement that Sanders makes that “the lot of a leader must be a lonely one.” I feel that Leaders should search out other christians who can support them in their leadership and bring commandery in their walk. To do otherwise doesn’t seem healthy spiritually or physically for an individual. However, this is just a personal thought on this issue.
In general, the book was real deep and had many areas that I enjoyed. I would write more about my thoughts on the book but it is getting late and I need sleep. However I may write more on this as I find time to do so.
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