Spiritual Leadership - Chapters 1-3

I have been going through the book, Spiritual Leadership, with the elders in our church. It’s been a helpful study on Spiritual Leadership as the title might suggest. I’ll share the outline that I have been putting together a few chapters at a time.  I recommend the book to you, though the book is more proverbial wisdom with many insights that sometimes doesn’t seemed linked in a cohesive outline.   This book is not from a reformed perspective, so I did find things that I did not agree with the author, however, this book was very challenging and helpful to me in many ways.  Charles Colson says, “This is the best book on Christian leadership I’ve read.” I hope you read it, or at least read the outline presented here.

 

Spiritual Leadership  OUTLINE (Chapters 1-3)

CHAPTER 1: An Honorable Ambition

QUOTES:

“All Christians are called to develop God-given talents, to make the most of their lives, to develop to the fullest their God-given powers and capacities. But Jesus taught that ambition that centers on the self is wrong…”

“Ambition that centers on the glory of God and welfare of the church is a mighty force for good.”

 

“…True greatness, true leadership, is found in giving yourself in service to others, not in coaxing or inducing others to serve you. True service is never without cost. Often it comes with a painful baptism of suffering. But the true spiritual leader is focused on the service he or she can render to God and other people, not on the residuals and perks of high office or holy title. We must aim to put more into life than we take out.”

CHAPTER 2: The Search for Leaders
QUOTES: (p. 1

“If the world is to hear the church’s voice today, leaders are needed who are authoritative, spiritual, and sacrificial. Authoritative, because people desire leaders who know where they are going and confident of getting there. Spiritual, because without a strong relationship to God, even the most attractive and competent person cannot lead people to God. Sacrificial, because this follows the model of Jesus, who gave himself for the whole world and who calls us to follow in His steps.”

CHAPTER 3: The Master’s Master Plan

Ø Two principles of Leadership

o The sovereignty of spiritual leadership

o The suffering of spiritual leadership

Ø THE SPIRIT OF SERVANTHOOD

o Dependence

o Approval

o Modesty

o Empathy

o Optimism

o Anointing

 

QUOTES: (p. 25)

“Pessimism and leadership are at opposite ends of life’s attitudes. Hope and optimism are essential qualities for the servant of God who battles with the powers of darkness over the souls of men and women…”

“…None of these leadership qualities - dependence, modesty, empathy, or optimism - are sufficient for the task. Without the touch of the supernatural, these qualities are dry as dust.”