Book Review; Spiritual Leadership

Henry & Richard Blackaby. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman, 2001. 305p.

Overview—Give a brief overview of the book, including its theme, perspective and approach.

In the model of Oswald Sanders’ classic work, Spiritual Leadership, the father and son duo of Henry and Richard Blackaby have offered a comprehensive book on this crucial topic. In many ways the Blackabys build on Sanders, in many other ways they update and excel him. Drawing from historical, Biblical, and secular sources, Spiritual Leadership is well rounded, if it does paint with broad strokes. The authors address topics ranging from the leader’s vision to the leader’s integrity. After defining leadership as “moving people onto God’s agenda,” the Blackabys apply their theology of leadership in very practical ways. Each chapter offers summaries of the material covered and thought provoking questions to stimulate the reader to further thinking and action.

Critique—Offer a brief critique of the book, including elements of strength and weakness.

I would recommend Spiritual Leadership to anyone in any leadership capacity. The authors are general enough that their points can be applied to both spiritual and secular leadership realms. Spiritual Leadership is well written and easily read by non-academics. The points are addressed to the leader’s outward life (communication, scheduling, and decision making) as well as the inner life (integrity and vision). In many ways, Spiritual Leadership now replaces the older classic works on Christian leadership.

The critiques I would offer are few: the misapplication of author’s intent when using Biblical examples (was Abraham intended as a case study in leadership?) and the dated examples used (our job market is clearly not as robust as it was when the book was written). But mostly I found myself wanting more. The section on the leader’s prayer life was excellent, but I could have used more than six pages.

Application—Offer some specific application to your own ministry— demonstrating the value and relevance of the material in this book.

I can definitely see myself using this book in leadership development and training in my church. The accessibility of this book to laymen will make it effective both to application in the local church as well as enhancing leadership in the workplace and the home. The applications included in each chaper make the book very useful for leadership discussions in a group setting. Personally, I was challenged and convicted in a number of areas. For example, I need to ask myself, “Who are the key volunteers I need to spend more time with?” I was also challenged to spend more unhurried time with God and to eliminate time wasting technology.

Best Quote—Be sure to include the page number where the quote can be found.

p.261 “Leaders should have before them the continual reminder that (a) their organization is more about people than it is about productivity; that (b) they are not indispensable; and that (c) the most effective, efficient thing that they can do for their organizations is to maintain a close, vibrant relationship with God”