Rating: 
Summary: A TIMELESS CLASSIC!
Review: as John Macarthur says this book should be a constant companion of every undershepherd. I truly fell in love with this book, I couldn't put it down. If your serious about leading God's people you must have this book on your shelf next to your bible.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent for the Layperson and Pastor!
Review: Chambers' book is brief (about 170 pages) yet chock full of wisdon for the person in Christian leadership, applicable for both laity and the pastorate.The book consists of 22 chapters, each containing about 5-15 pages on a certain aspect of Christian leadership. Among the more interesting chapters were: 1. Leaders have to pay a great price to lead.
2. Reading is necessary for the leader (never stop
learning!).
3. Leaders must reproduce others.
4. Prayer is imperative for the Christian leader.
5. Honest evaluation is required for potential leaders.
6. There is a difference between natural and spiritual
leadership.
7. God searches for those who are willing to be spent for
Him.
8. God is always in control! All in all, an excellent and highly recommended read!
Rating:
Summary: Timeless Classic!
Review: Even though this book is forty years old, its truths are still fresh and relevant. Sanders here provides an extremely helpful resource for anyone in a church leadership position, especially the position of pastor or deacon. I'm considering getting copies of this title for all the deacons in my congregation, and recommending it to all the young, aspiring pastors I know.
This book should be on the shelf of every pastor and deacon. I haven't read anything else that compares to it.
Rating:
Summary: Think you can lead? Read this book before you answer.
Review: I have just endured the challenge of reading this volume as part of a men's discipleship group at my church. And when I say "challenge", I mean just that! This is a short but very pithy analysis of those qualities that are indispensible for a Christian to exercise spiritual leadership in a successful and dynamic way. As a low-level lay leader in my church who is reasonably certain (if such a thing is possible) that God has bigger plans in store for me, I was deeply convicted as this book laid out in very simple terms what it takes to make it as a leader in God's kingdom. Obviously first and foremost is the need to be filled with the Holy Spirit, without which we cannot possibly hope to achieve anything of eternal significance. That's only the beginning, though. Attributes like tact, diligence, vision and decisiveness are just a few of the many leadership traits that are explored one by one. With each new segment, the reader is forced to ask himself three questions: 1. Do I possess this quality? 2. Is my exercise of this quality empowered by the Spirit of God? 3. Am I exercising this quality for God's glory or my own? Step by step, the layers of the reader's character are peeled away and examined, and the motives of his heart are laid bare. Throughout this process, though, the author's intent is not to discourage, but to help the reader understand the sheer weight and seriousness of the task, and to exhort him to change and develop those areas that are deficient. I, for one, came to realize just how cavalier my attitudes were -- very convicting indeed! Probably the most penetrating statement, however, was the reminder that a spiritual leader must pay a heavy personal cost to lead, and that cost only grows as the level of leadership increases. Ouch! The book is laid out in a series of twenty two concise but weighty chapters, most of which are conducive to a separate meditation if the reader is so inclined. The author makes liberal use of illustrations and quotations from both the religious and secular spheres to show that these qualities carry over into all areas of life. I particularly like the quote (I forget to whom it was attributed) which said "It seems to meet the best test of effective leadership is to see if anyone is following." Statements like that will either deepen your resolve to rise to God's leadership challenge, or else will make you reconsider whether you're suited to the task at all. Excellent book!!!
Rating:
Summary: Think you can lead? Read this book before you answer.
Review: I have just endured the challenge of reading this volume as part of a men's discipleship group at my church. And when I say "challenge", I mean just that! This is a short but very pithy analysis of those qualities that are indispensible for a Christian to exercise spiritual leadership in a successful and dynamic way. As a low-level lay leader in my church who is reasonably certain (if such a thing is possible) that God has bigger plans in store for me, I was deeply convicted as this book laid out in very simple terms what it takes to make it as a leader in God's kingdom. Obviously first and foremost is the need to be filled with the Holy Spirit, without which we cannot possibly hope to achieve anything of eternal significance. That's only the beginning, though. Attributes like tact, diligence, vision and decisiveness are just a few of the many leadership traits that are explored one by one. With each new segment, the reader is forced to ask himself three questions: 1. Do I possess this quality? 2. Is my exercise of this quality empowered by the Spirit of God? 3. Am I exercising this quality for God's glory or my own? Step by step, the layers of the reader's character are peeled away and examined, and the motives of his heart are laid bare. Throughout this process, though, the author's intent is not to discourage, but to help the reader understand the sheer weight and seriousness of the task, and to exhort him to change and develop those areas that are deficient. I, for one, came to realize just how cavalier my attitudes were -- very convicting indeed! Probably the most penetrating statement, however, was the reminder that a spiritual leader must pay a heavy personal cost to lead, and that cost only grows as the level of leadership increases. Ouch! The book is laid out in a series of twenty two concise but weighty chapters, most of which are conducive to a separate meditation if the reader is so inclined. The author makes liberal use of illustrations and quotations from both the religious and secular spheres to show that these qualities carry over into all areas of life. I particularly like the quote (I forget to whom it was attributed) which said "It seems to meet the best test of effective leadership is to see if anyone is following." Statements like that will either deepen your resolve to rise to God's leadership challenge, or else will make you reconsider whether you're suited to the task at all. Excellent book!!!
Rating:
Summary: Think you can lead? Read this book before you answer.
Review: I have just endured the challenge of reading this volume as part of a men's discipleship group at my church. And when I say "challenge", I mean just that! This is a short but very pithy analysis of those qualities that are indispensible for a Christian to exercise spiritual leadership in a successful and dynamic way. As a low-level lay leader in my church who is reasonably certain (if such a thing is possible) that God has bigger plans in store for me, I was deeply convicted as this book laid out in very simple terms what it takes to make it as a leader in God's kingdom. Obviously first and foremost is the need to be filled with the Holy Spirit, without which we cannot possibly hope to achieve anything of eternal significance. That's only the beginning, though. Attributes like tact, diligence, vision and decisiveness are just a few of the many leadership traits that are explored one by one. With each new segment, the reader is forced to ask himself three questions: 1. Do I possess this quality? 2. Is my exercise of this quality empowered by the Spirit of God? 3. Am I exercising this quality for God's glory or my own? Step by step, the layers of the reader's character are peeled away and examined, and the motives of his heart are laid bare. Throughout this process, though, the author's intent is not to discourage, but to help the reader understand the sheer weight and seriousness of the task, and to exhort him to change and develop those areas that are deficient. I, for one, came to realize just how cavalier my attitudes were -- very convicting indeed! Probably the most penetrating statement, however, was the reminder that a spiritual leader must pay a heavy personal cost to lead, and that cost only grows as the level of leadership increases. Ouch! The book is laid out in a series of twenty two concise but weighty chapters, most of which are conducive to a separate meditation if the reader is so inclined. The author makes liberal use of illustrations and quotations from both the religious and secular spheres to show that these qualities carry over into all areas of life. I particularly like the quote (I forget to whom it was attributed) which said "It seems to meet the best test of effective leadership is to see if anyone is following." Statements like that will either deepen your resolve to rise to God's leadership challenge, or else will make you reconsider whether you're suited to the task at all. Excellent book!!!
Rating:
Summary: The Best Book on Christian Leadership Ever Written
Review: I make it a habit to read several books on leadership or ministry skills every year. This is the best one I have ever read on the former subject. J. Oswald Sanders left us with a true spiritual classic on what it means to embody the Biblical qualities of true godliness. I found this to be a very FULL book, with incredible insights packed into short epigrammatic sentences which are pregnant with meaning. It demands to be re-read. Spiritual issues are examined from several different angles as Sanders unfolds the Biblical criterion for leaders chapter by chapter. It seemed to me like the book gets better and better as it goes. The two chapters dealing with "Qualities Essential to Leadership" (discipline, vision, wisdom, decision, courage, humility, integrity/sincerity, humor, anger, patience, friendship, tact/diplomacy, inspirational power, executive ability, the therapy of listening, and the art of letter writing - quite an interesting list!) are worth their weight in gold. Several chapters that immediately attacted my attention were "The Leader and His Praying," "The Leader and His Time," and "The Leader and His Reading" - all three instructive and inspiring. Other beneficial chapters deal with the fullness of the Spirit, the cost of leadership, delegation, tests of true leadership, replacement and reproduction of leaders, and perils of the leader (a powerful chapter with a dynamic little section called "Prophet or Leader?"). Get this book and devour it - especially those of you who are pastors, elders, teachers, and deacons. Any one involved in roles of spiritual leadership should read this book.
Rating:
Summary: Practical Teaching on Spiritual Leadership
Review: I was recommended this book by one of my spiritual mentors who trains young adults for ministering to young people. Sanders offers straightforward and practical teaching on leadership in the church. Especially appealing to me were the chapters on prayer, time, and reading. There is also helpful advice on delegating authority and reproducing leaders through mentorship and personal training. The study guide is very helpful for use in leadership training courses for your church. Chuck Colson says that this is the best book on Christian leadership he's read.
Rating:
Summary: Sound Godly Wisdom!
Review: I've read several books on Spiritual Leadership, but none maintained that consistent focus on God's pattern of leadership, as this book did. This work is a classic, one of those books that you don't simply read but infuse in your walk with God. The Godly wisdom of J. Oswald Sanders is evident in every page. If I was a pastor I would make this book required reading for all ministers in the church. Whatever stage of ministry you may be in, this book will address the issues. If you desire to be an effective servant for the Lord, I highly recommend this book! Make sure you read the the Editor's Preface, it will help you understand the era in which Oswald spoke these truths.
Rating: 
Summary: Solid food for future and current leaders
Review: In this classic, Oswald Sanders blends his own wisdom with that of others. The basic ideas come from the Bible, common sense, Sanders himself, and countless missionaries and leaders of generations past. As the cover says, these really are "principles of excellence for every believer." The book is broken up into 22 relatively short chapters, the first few of which describe the motives for entering into leadership. Why do we need leaders? Is everyone called to leadership? There are several chapters outlining qualities a leader would do well to have and practice. I really enjoyed the practical chapters, such as "The Leader and Time," and "The Leader and Reading." The last several chapters examine many issues important for someone who has become a leader. These include the costs and responsibilities of leadership, as well as skills like delegation and replacement. I found all the ideas very solid and I liked the many quotes and references. Sanders freely uses the ideas of others. At times the writing is a bit dry. I read it through on the second attempt. The first time I put it down because it was too dry for me at the time.
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