Sanders, J. Oswald, Spiritual Leadership (Chicago: Moody Press, 1980)
A SUMMARY
I heard Oswald Sanders and saw his heart laid open before us as he preached in 1982 in Adelaide, South Australia, when he was around 80 years old in his busy preaching schedule. He preached with a real great and fiery heart with a desire for his people to live as mature people in Christ that reflected who Jesus is in our lives. It was a real joy to hear him and the depth of his life and knowledge of his saviour. I review this book with fond memories of one of my fond and endeared teachers of the Word of God.
1. Main Emphasis of Author
This book is an old one, but a good one that is filled with many illustrations and quotes from well known preachers and numerous missionaries and missionary leaders. In the world there is a great dearth of spiritual leaders who can command a real spiritual authority.
When we look at the qualities of spiritual leadership there are a number of scriptural principles we can look at. Jesus emphasises that leadership should be one where the leader serves the people. This is the real test of godly leadership of which Moses was one. Some of the principles of this servant leadership are dependence, approval, modesty, empathy, optimism and an anointing from God. Spiritual leadership is a blending of natural and spiritual qualities. Even the natural qualities. Even the natural qualities are not self-produced but God-given, and therefore, reach their highest effectiveness when employed in the service of God and for His glory. There is no such thing as a self-made spiritual leader. Some important criteria for leadership potential from Paul's perspective; above reproach, moral qualifications, mental qualifications, personal qualifications, domestic qualifications and maturity qualifications. Qualities from 1 Tim. 3.7 show discipline, vision, wisdom, decision, courage, humility, integrity and sincerity, humour, godly anger, patience, tact and diplomacy, friendships, inspirational power, executive ability, the therapy of listening and the art of letter writing.
Some indispensable requirements, though, for all leaders is gifting and a prayerful disposition. The leader must be able to manage his time effectively and be a reader. He must go through many trials and count the cost as far as leadership under Christ is concerned. The leader needs to develop the art of raising up others into the areas of leadership and be able to delegate others into ministry.
2. New Ideas
This book was more a reinforcing of ideas, but there were new concepts that were clarified a little more.
1. Seeing anger as a prerequisite for leadership was no something I had thought of. This is anger directed in the right way as an holy passion or zeal for justice among the injustices or a standing for truth during times of untruth.(p.96)
2. "Sometimes there is a conflict between two ministries (of prophet or leader), for each of which a man is fitted. For example, a preacher who possesses marked gifts of leadership may reach a place in his church or organisation that compels him to choose whether his role is to be one of popular leader or unpopular prophet....(p.236-7)
3. Main Principles of Leadership/ Management
Gifting (natural and supernatural), a well ordered life and temperament, maturity in the things of God, prayer, counts the cost, and can be resilient to the vision despite setbacks.
1. Prayer
Prayer is an indespensible prerequisite for leadership. A heart after God, humility and learning from Christ is essential for any ongoing ministry. Jesus as our model for leadership was a prayer. Other models such as Moses, Elijah and many of the prophets. Timothy, the younger leader, was shown the example by Paul (1Tim. 2.1). The more work involved in the ministry should be proportional to the amount of time spent in prayer. Important decisions or crossroads in Jesus' life meant nights of prayer, retreating into the desert or private places. Those that had powerful ministries in history seem to show a well disciplined prayer life and lots of it (e.g. Wesley, Whitefield, Luther, Hudson Taylor, etc.).
2. Study widely
The studying of the Word of God is a prerequisite for the leader/ preacher/ teacher. Meditation on the Law of the Lord was essential for Joshua's leadership (Josh. 1.8ff., c.f. Psalm 1, 19, 119, 2 Tim 2.15). We need to read to keep abreast of things spiritually. You can only lead someone into the scriptures only to the depth that you have been. Studying involves studying man, man's heart and motives so that you can be so acquainted with the heart of man that you can diagnose problems, prescribe and treat their malaise of sin and despair.
The important thing to remember here is that there are many books to read and the judicial choice of the books you read is paramount because much time can be lost in reading those books which are of little value. As Oswald Sanders pointed out som books are better only when digested wholly while other only need to be read cursorily. Try and take notes and retain the information rather than losing it as soon s you read it.
3. Proper time management for self, the church week and calendar (proper planning, goal setting and prioritization).
Some of the main elements of time management can be seen in 1. Making time for regular planning, 2. Spend time thinking objectively about the future, 3. Set faith goals and establish priorities, 4. Develop action plans for each goal (this can be done by using a Gnatt chart or project planner).
Time is important and the scriptures talk of "redeeming the time" or "make the most of your time" Eph. 5.16. Procrastination is common and Sanders encouragement to DO IT NOW is important to keep in mind and habitually do. In other words when it can be done do it, don't leave it or later.
4. Encouraging people into ministries and then help them
- develop in them (i.e. delegation and training). An important point brought out by both books is that the leader must be able to delegate. This not only relieves the leader from some of his portfolios, but that another person may be able to do that particular task better with an added focus. The leader would alo be able to multiply his workload by the capacity of the church abilities to do things is increased.
One of the common failures of pastors and leaders is to hold on to the different jobs they have already been doing and running the risk of being the bottle neck in the whole operation. Every Christian is given gifts. The challenge is to utilize people's giftings rather than to stile them or bury them in the ground. Work toward goal ownership of the congregation.
5. A Leader in the Church needs to watch out for pitfalls in the ministry
Pride, egotism, jealousy, popularity, infallibility, indispensability, elation and depression
