The Grandaddy of Them All- J. Oswald Sanders

My take aways from J. Oswald Sander’s classic “Spiritual Leadership”:

Immediately I was drawn into the contents through his discussion on ambition.  However, I did put up barriers.  I have always considered ambition a positive word.  For the most part, Sanders is calling ambition a negative word, in fact, a very negative word.  So I agreed with his perspective and slightly disagreed with his perspective.  He said, “Is it not better for a position to seek out a person than for a person to seek out a position?”  In one sense, based on pride as the foundation, seeking out a position should be surrendered to trusting God.  God is very explicit about pride and humility.  As I read, my mind kept moving towards Paul’s ambition to plant churches (Acts 16:6-10).  In fact, he talked about being compelled by Christ’s love (II Cor. 5:14).  His ambition led him to Bythinia and Asia Minor but God closed the door.  Then God led him because of his ambition to Macedonia and the planting of the Church at Philippi.  But as I read into the chapter I could see the clear demarcation between Godly ambition and selfish ambition.  Perhaps if Sanders were writing today he might use some of our contemporary politicians and their pursuit for power and greatness as an example of ambition.  On the other hand, the missionaries that we never hear of translating the bible to a people group of 24,000 people can also be ambitious, as unto the Lord.

Leadership development has always been and always will be a central issue to the vitality of the Church.  I don’t know why but in almost every local church that is under a mega church category, which is the majority, leadership seems to be lacking.  The developing of that leadership seems to be lacking.  Paul made it clear to pass onto to reliable men who would be able to teach others also (II Tim. 2:2).  When passing on leadership to a younger generation, it should be without need to mention that service is primary in leadership not position.  Someone said, “If you have to call yourself a leader, you are not a leader.”  Maxwell said, “A leader starts with the title leader by Position, however if they do not grow in their leadership then morale will weign.”

There are several qualities that separate the leaders from non-leaders.  Seriously, leaders tend to stand out.  Their decisions stand out.  They stand out in their treatment of people.  They stand out in their ability to get others to follow.  One of the most visible distinctions is their discipline and vision.  Leaders are like bankers or accountants when it comes to time.  They see it as an investment.  Time management and even more essential self management cause a leader to grow or diminish in leadership of others.  I have yet to meet someone (in Houston) that is not busy.  Yet there are those who take the same amount of hours that President Obama has and distribute through vision and wisdom to the tasks before them.  Leaders work while others waste time.  They read while others watch TV.  They play with their kids while others are playing with their adult toys.  They discipline themselves to see more than others see, hear more than others hear, pray more than others pray, etc.  Some are just not suited for leadership.  They have to know all the details and are very hesitant to make a decision.   Theodore Roosevelt was right when he talked about leadership and wisdom being a timing issue.  It is amazing how a leader can take less information and make a timely decision.  Roosevelt said, “Most of us are too wise after an event!”  How true.

It is hard to find anything to disagree with in Sanders classic work.  Apart from my thoughts on ambition, I don’t think Sanders went far enough on humor.  I appreciate him having included it in the book at all, so kudos to him.  Probably before his time but long gone are the days of staunch pulpiteers and leaders making a difference in the average Joe on the street apart from Cosby like real life humor.

My leadership antennas were perked as Sanders compared Military leaders to Ministry leaders (p. 31).  If all ministry leaders would take heed to these seven qualities huge influence would be achieved.  Every leader should monitor how they relate to people.  A leader can tell a lot about their leadership by answering the questions on relationships (p. 37).   Additionally, if Sanders book were a baseball game chapters 8 and 9 were equivalent to back to back home runs.  Inspiration, tact, diplomacy, executive ability, listening and letter writing are often the first overlooked in leadership.  I remember significant men in my life and simple letters they wrote to me.  I keep a file of them for encouragement.  Another often shelved discipline is reading.  Someone said, “Leaders are readers!”  It is as simple as that.  If you want to be a leader, then reading must be conquered.  Reading sometimes devolves into trying to finish a book rather than learning the deep lessons God has for you.  I have recently been saying, “I want to read to change not to finish.”  One of the top mistakes leaders make according to Hans Finzel is “Dirty Delegation.”  Leaders are notorious for giving a task and either taking it over or not giving clear lines of authority for them to truly succeed.

Perhaps the most impressive statement in the entire book to me was, “The spiritual leader should outpace the rest of the church, above all, in prayer” (85).  My calendar is finely oiled however, I often live my life as a practical atheist relying on my own leadership prowess and not prayer.  Heaven forbid I am lazy as it relates to prayer.