LIBERTY UNIVERSITY
Book Critique 2
Submitted to Dr. Kimberly Martin, in partial fulfillment
of the requirements for the completion of the course
WRSP 530
Principles of Leadership for the Worship Leader
by
Rachel Morway
1
Introduction
Spiritual leadership within the local church is an incredibly imperative topic that should
be taken seriously in today’s culture. Unfortunately, it can become easy for modern ministers to
lose focus in leadership positions and forget the importance of keeping Jesus the main source in
regard to how to lead people. In Oswald Sander’s book Spiritual Leadership: Principles of
Excellence for Every Believer, he offers a great deal of wisdom on the topic of spiritual
leadership, giving the reader genuine, wise, and practical advice on how to become a leader who
operates in the spiritual realm and seeks to lead like Jesus in all things.
Spiritual Leadership ultimately tackles the topic of leadership and its array of challenges.
Sanders compiles various principles that are essential for effectual spiritual leadership that
leaders in the local church can easily apply in order to successfully grow their walks with Christ,
ministries and churches. He also argues that leaders are both born and made by giving the reader
an up-close look at different individuals in Scripture. He even concludes the book by giving
practical steps on how to implement different biblical principles of spiritual leadership as it
relates to the local church, including a section dedicated to studying the text within a small group
setting.
Summary
In the first few chapters of the text, the author presents the topic of ambition in regard to
leadership and discusses the two different types. He describes the word “ambition” comes from a
Latin term meaning “campaigning for promotion” (Sanders, Spiritual Leadership, 13). Sanders
exclaims that in order to lead like Jesus, we must always keep others and their needs at the
forefront of our ministry and not our own selfish ambition to achieve greatness. Next, he
discusses how “real leaders are in ‘short supply,’” rendering the fact that many leaders today do
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not have the accurate qualifications of being a spiritual leader (Sanders, Spiritual Leadership,
17). Next Sanders discusses the Master’s master principles: the Sovereign Principle described in
Mark 10:40, and the Suffering Principle found in Mark 10:38. These two principles explain that
spiritual leaders are chosen by God to accomplish His will, and that there is a cost for serving in
the kingdom of God – just as Jesus suffered, we also must join in His suffering. Next, Sanders
discusses the difference between a natural leader and a spiritual leader, explaining that even
though one may feel they have natural leadership qualities within them, it is the work of the Holy
Spirit that deems them a spiritual leader at the end of the day. After differentiating the two
different types of leaders, Sanders asks the reader multiple questions in order for them to
evaluate their current leadership abilities. He then states that “each Christian should make it his
constant prayer that Christlikeness might more rapidly be incorporated into his or her own
personality” (Sanders, Spiritual Leadership, 41).
In the next few chapters, the author dives into insights on leadership from two important
apostolic leaders in the early church: Paul and Peter. First, Sanders allocates Paul’s list of
leadership credentials that are found in the first letter of Timothy into five separate categories:
social, moral, mental, personality and domestic. He then discusses Peter’s leadership qualities,
using him as a model for spiritual leadership according to 1 Peter 5:1-7. Here we see that a true
spiritual leader does not serve from a sense of duty but love, focuses on spiritual things and not
money, not dictatorial, a worthy example for their followers, committed to intercessory prayer,
and clothed with humility (Sanders, Spiritual Leadership, 48-50). Next, Sanders discusses
essential qualities of leadership, including developing spiritual gifts such as discipline, vision,
wisdom, decision, courage, humility, integrity and sincerity. He states that “God gives leaders
gifts and talents that fit the mission to which they are called” and He “prepares leaders with a
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specific place and task in mind” (Sanders, Spiritual Leadership, 60). It is our job to make sure
the gifts we have been given are being put to correct usage and to spur on the giftings in other
people’s lives and hearts. He then describes even more qualities, including humor, anger,
patience, friendship, tact and diplomacy, inspirational power, executive ability, listening and
letter writing.
In the following chapters, Sanders believe that above all else, a true spiritual leader must
be Spirit filled in order to be truly successful. “The prime condition for the selection of a leader
should be spirituality” (Sanders, Spiritual Leadership, 78). He then exclaims that leaders must
devote themselves to prayer, even though it takes time and effort to master the art of it. “A leader
that wants to know God’s will must pray, and when prayer is raised according to the will of God,
answers will come (Sanders, Spiritual Leadership, 90). In speaking of time, Sanders devotes a
chapter to the importance of time management in leadership. If we choose to see it this way, time
is a gift given by God, and we have a choice whether to squander it or use it wisely. “Conscious
of time, Jesus spent His time doing things that mattered” (Sanders, Spiritual Leadership, 115).
Next, the author discusses the importance of reading in becoming a strong spiritual leader. He
suggests that “by meditating on themes of our reading, we pluck the fruit from the tree of books
and add nourishment to our minds and our ministries” (Sanders, Spiritual Leadership, 127). The
next chapter focuses on how leadership can be improved by caring for administration, spiritual
tone, group morale, personal relationships, problem solving and creative planning (Sanders,
Spiritual Leadership, 112-113). He then dives into the depths of considering the cost of
leadership, stating that “the toll of true leadership is heavy, and the more effective the leadership,
the greater the cost” (Sanders, Spiritual Leadership, 115). These costs include self-sacrifice,
loneliness, fatigue, criticism, rejection, pressure and perplexity, and even a cost to others that
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follow. Next, he describes the responsibilities of leadership, including serving, applied discipline,
guidance and initiative. He follows this up by discussing the tests of leadership, including
compromise, ambition, the impossible situation, and jealousy.
In the final chapters of the book, Sanders discusses the art of delegation, which is
extremely important in becoming a healthy spiritual leader. He exclaims that “fearful and
insecure leaders will accomplish little, while effective delegation increases the harvest and the
blessing in ministry” (Sanders, Spiritual Leadership, 139). Following this topic, he discusses
replacing leaders, stating that “the ultimate test of a person’s leadership is the health of the
organization when the organizer is gone” (Sanders, Spiritual Leadership, 143). The only way to
ensure a thriving ministry when your time is done is by reproducing yourself in other leaders,
requiring “patience, careful instruction and prayerful, personal guidance over a considerable
time” (Sanders, Spiritual Leadership, 153). He then explains the perils of leadership, urging to
the reader to be careful in their leadership roles because Satan is “prowling around like a roaring
lion, looking for someone to devour” (I Peter 5:8). He lists the perils as pride, egotism, jealousy,
popularity, infallibility and indispensability. Finally, Sanders finishes his book with discussing
the leadership of Nehemiah. Nehemiah was an effective leader that was prayerful and full of
courage. He explains that Nehemiah had an honest concern for the welfare of people around him,
he showed the ability of foresight, he was bold and made clear decisions, and he was also a
realist, responsible, a vigorous administrator and a crises manager (Sanders, Spiritual
Leadership, 166). “The account of Nehemiah that closed this book presents the high bar of
spiritual leadership – the kind of thoughtful, heartfelt and wise practices we strive to emulate”
(Sanders, Spiritual Leadership, 206).
Review
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I believe that is the book’s greatest strength is its strong, biblical foundation. It is very
obvious that Sanders is passionate about raising the bar of leadership in the local church, and he
uses a plethora of Scriptural references, passages and narratives to make sure his stance on
spiritual leadership is sound and in correct standing with the Word of God. It is one thing to
discuss leadership at length in a book – there are thousands of them in every bookstore on the
planet. However, to take on the subject of spiritual leadership and make it synonymous with
God’s Word and applicable to the modern reader is impressive. I had a very difficult time trying
to find the book’s greatest weakness, but if I had to choose, it would probably be the fact that it
can be a tad repetitive in some sections. However, I think it is also needed in order to get the
point across at the same time.
It is definitely clear that Sanders’ intended audience are ministry leaders in the local
church and anyone who has a potential or desire to lead on any level. I definitely believe he
achieved the purpose in writing his book for that audience and made it applicable for any leader
on any level to understand and put into practice.
I would most definitely recommend this book to anyone striving to become a more
spiritual, well-rounded leader. To be the kind of leader we desire, especially a 360-degree leader
like John Maxwell suggests, we must learn how to not just be good leaders on an administrative
or personality level – we must be spiritual and strive to be like Jesus in the way we lead. As
Maxwell suggests, good leaders “lead, empower, and then get out of the way” (Maxwell, The
360-Degree Leader, 308). This is what it means to be just like Jesus – making others the focal
point and putting Him at the center of it all.
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Bibliography
Maxwell, John C. The 360-Degree Leader: Developing Your Influence from Anywhere in the
Organization. Harper Collins Leadership, 2005.
New International Version. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan Publishing House, 1995.
Sanders, Oswald J. Spiritual Leadership: Principles of Excellence for Every Believer. Chicago,
IL: Moody Publishers, 1967.
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