SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP (HB): Moving People on to God's Agenda [Hardcover]

 

 

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After reading several other 'Christian' books on leadership as part of my schooling, I was becoming very discouraged. Every one of them seemed to treat leadership exactly as a secular model does. The only exception being that they would haphazardly apply Scripture verses to try and show that these were (somewhat) Biblical principals. When I began reading this book one thing jumped out to me: It was astoundingly different.

Everything about this book was focused on what God can do. Instead of putting the onus on us, this book clearly shows that a true "Spiritual Leader" is one who gets his direction from God and, in turn, follows His directives as a faithful under-shepherd. How freeing it is to know that I am not responsible for the goals and vision of an organization (that's God's department), as the oft repeated rhetoric of leadership experts says, but that I'm responsible to be faithful to God, and in turn, faithful in what He has entrusted to my care.

This is a truly God-oriented book on leadership and any Christian, in any leadership capacity, would benefit greatly from reading it.

Henry Blackaby is the epitome of a lifelong learner and leader. He has extensive experience in pastoral ministry and is a consultant to CEOs and various Christian organizations, such as the Southern Baptist Convention. He has written various books, is a sought out speaker, and currently leads Henry Blackaby Ministries. Richard Blackaby, the son of Henry Blackaby, is also a writer and a sought out speaker. In addition, he has pastoral experience and is currently serving as the president of the Canadian Southern Baptist Seminary in Cochrane, Canada. Consequently, what stands out clearly is that both have strong ties to the Southern Baptist denomination.

The thesis of this book is that spiritual leadership is all about moving people from where they are to where God wants them to be.

There are differences between general and spiritual leadership principles, but the authors state that those who will lead according to spiritual principles will be far more effective in their leadership (14). Tied to that statement is the belief that God is the one who calls and equips individuals to be spiritual leaders (46). Throughout this book, the authors present nuggets of wisdom that have been gleaned from their own leadership experience and that of others. As a result, this book almost seems like a compilation of essays exploring a variety of leadership issues. Generally though, the book begins by exploring why leadership is needed, the difference between general and spiritual leadership, and how leaders are developed. After covering those introductory issues, the authors continue to explore a variety of issues that leaders need to be aware of, such as: vision, character, goals, influence, decision making, scheduling, pitfalls, and rewards. What holds this book together is the common thread that true leadership originates from God, points people towards God, and reflects the heart and action of God.

The pragmatic focus of this book is a strong point. The authors do not discuss leadership theory, but they share from their leadership experiences. As a result, this book definitely contains years of experience and nuggets of wisdom that every leader can learn from - secular or spiritual, and young or seasoned. For example, the direct correlation between effective leadership and authentic character is true for both Christians and non-Christians (53). Character development is a leadership issue, not only a faith issue.

Although secular leaders can still learn from this book, the authors are unapologetically writing for Christian leaders. They suggest that leaders not seek promotions, but God, since God is the one who ultimately grants the promotions. This only makes sense when one acknowledges the existence of God and understands the Gospel. I agree with the authors that Christians need to seek God and that he is the one who ultimately grants leadership positions to individuals, but in our North American culture, I believe that it is okay to pursue leadership positions and advancement as long as one understands that God is ultimately in control.

It is so encouraging to hear that "the best thing leaders can do for their organization is to grow personally" (31). As a result, I need to constantly grow as a leader. One way that I am currently working on continually learning is by being part of a team that is creating a leadership pathway at my church. We have been developing the leadership pathway for adults, but after reading this book, I now have to go back to the team and talk about how we can incorporate teenagers into this pathway (32). Consequently, although this book does not outline an explicit pathway for leaders, it is filled with nuggets of wisdom that can be applied to many, if not all, leadership contexts.

I give this book a 4 out of 5.

I am a big fan of Blackabys Experiencing God and was looking forward to reading his book on Spiritual Leadership. It was not what I expected. It is an excellent book on leadership, but it is more of a primer novice for leaders than a book for experienced leaders who want to sharpen their leadership skills and character.

But as a primer, it is excellent. Blackaby leads the reader though a list of topics to equip pastors to be spiritual leaders. It runs the gauntlet from The Leaders Challenge to The Leader's Pitfalls and just about everything in between. Like Experiencing God, the Blackabys intersperse their personal experiences with Spiritual Leadership as application.

What makes this book unique is Blackabys emphasis on the spiritual part of leadership. They reject the influence of business models of leadership, specially Collins and Porras advice in Built to Last (BEHAGs - Big Hairy Audacious Goals) and urge the reader to recognize the work of God in the world and to join God in his work.

The authors discussion on vision gives the reader an example of how the Blackabys view spiritual leadership. They criticize leaders who try to get people to buy into their vision. Spiritual leaders should not sell vision, they say; rather, they share what God has revealed to them and trust that the Holy Spirit will confirm that same vision in the hearts of their people. So the job of the leader is to bring the people face to face with God so they can hear from God directly and not through the leader. The Blackabys, however, fail to adequately inform the pastor how to do this. The obvious consequence of this kind of vision casting is that pastors with weak leadership skills would observe where God is at work, ineffectively communicate that vision to their congregations, meet internal resistance, and then conclude that this must not be where God is leading them.

For instance, the Blackabys are Baptist. The averaged Baptist pastor stays in his church for only about 2.5 years. There is a reason for this. Although most Baptist churches are board led, they are for all intents and purposes congregational in their polity. Thus, in many churches, even the most inane proposal must be but through a relentless series of committees and votes. This kind of governance does not tolerate strong leadership very well. If the pastor has a vision from God, he must communicate that vision and trust that the Holy Spirit will confirm it in the hearts of a committee system. This assumes that everyone on all those board and committees is listening to God and is seeking God. In reality, the pastor gets something else; he gets an agenda that is set by the least spiritual, most obstinate member of the congregation.

There is an ethereal quality about leadership that many good leaders do not understand. They have it and they assume that the rest of us, if we just do what they do, will have it. But leadership is much more difficult than this. In this regard, John Maxwell, Oswald Sanders and Bill Hull do a much better job equipping pastors to be leaders. It is a good book, but my fear is that weak, timid leaders will use it as an excuse to do nothing.

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5.0 out of 5 stars Free your soul
This is a great book that will open your eyes and move you towards God. Not only will you be inspired to see all the beauty around you but your soul will transform and embrace the... Read more

Published on April 24 2003 by buddyhs43

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent source for the spiritual leader!
Having read several leadership books as an Air Force Officer and seminary student, I can honestly say that this is the best book on the subject I have ever read! Read more

Published on July 15 2002 by Michael Taylor

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolute Best Book on Leadership I Have Read!
This work by Richard and Henry Blackaby is the absolute best book on leadership I have read. Having recently graduated with a doctorate in evangelism and church growth, and... Read more

Published on Jun 24 2002 by David R. Bess

5.0 out of 5 stars Spiritual Leadership: Moving People on to God's Agenda
Having recently graduated from a Theological institute with a degree in Leadership, I have come quite well read in the area of Christian/Spiritual Leadership. Read more

Published on Jan 8 2002 by Rick Garrett

5.0 out of 5 stars Spiritual Leadership: Moving People to God's Agenda
This is the most profound and challenging book on Leadership I have ever read. The Blackaby's will cause you to think deeply about what you do as a leader that is both beneficial... Read more

Published on Nov 16 2001 by Bradley D. Smith

5.0 out of 5 stars The best of the best in Leadership Reading
I have been a secular (although I am a Christian) Business Consultant and Leadership Development Consultant for over 14 years and this is BY FAR the best I have yet read. Read more

Published on Aug 13 2001 by John A. Underwood

5.0 out of 5 stars Read it and live it
I found this book very thought provoking. It is a must read for all leaders who aspire to be led by God and his agenda in all aspects of life. Read more

Published on May 27 2001 by todd goodall

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