Henry and Richard Blackaby, Spiritual Leadership: Moving People on to God’s Agenda. B and H Books, 2001.
Henry and Richard Blackaby, Spiritual Leadership: The Interactive Study. B and H Books, 2006.
Referenced:
LifeandLeadership.com Summary
This is a very popular text on spiritual leadership. It may be of interest to those who use Henry Blackaby’s popular curriculum Experiencing God or his book on personal and corporate revival, Fresh Encounter. One of the central principles of these materials is that when God wishes to move significantly to accomplish his will, he chooses an individual to lead, one whose heart is such that they can be used powerfully by him. Spiritual Leadership expands significantly on that principle. It is part of large line of books and workbooks that build upon the teaching of Experiencing God.
Here Blackaby teams with his son to lay out the essential biblical principles of leadership.
We have examined the Scriptures, and we have scrutinized the lives of effective leaders in light of God’s Word. In doing so, we have indentified clear, biblical principles that lead to effective leadership. We have shared these truths around the world, and we have seen men and women return to their leadership roles with renewed vigor and vision. As they have applied God’s methods of leadership, they have met with profound results. (x)
They write out of the conviction that secular leadership theories overlook important truths and should not be followed uncritically.
Spiritual leaders who simply follow secular methods may experience some degree of success, but they will not rise to the higher level of leadership possible for true spiritual leaders. This book will distinguish between general leadership principles and spiritual leadership principles. (x)
A strong emphasis is that spiritual leaders follow God’s call into a life of service. Once this occurs, God can use them mightily.
One may not agree that all spiritual leadership is as prescriptive as the authors lay out, but there is still a great deal of good in this text. Some may wish to balance the Experiencing God resources with the critique of revivalist spirituality by Michael Horton, In the Face of God, which was written several years before. Several helpful tools that provide a good balance are referenced in the LifeandLeadership.com guiding essay on Spiritual Revival. Nevertheless, many Christians have healthfully deepened their walk with God through the Experiencing God curricula.
From the Publisher
Drawing upon their own extensive leadership experience as well as their ministry to leaders in all walks of life, Henry and Richard Blackaby offer insightful counsel into the ways God develops, guides, and empowers spiritual leaders. Clear guidance is given on how leaders can make a positive impact on the people and organizations they are currently leading.
About the Authors
Henry Blackaby is founder and president emeritus of Blackaby Ministries International, an organization built to help people experience God. He and his wife have five children, fourteen grandchildren, and live in Rex, Georgia.
Richard Blackaby is president of Blackaby Ministries International and the oldest child of Henry and Marilynn Blackaby. He holds degrees from the University of Saskatchewan, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and Dallas Baptist University. He lives with his wife and children in Canada.
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