Adventist International Institute of Advanced

Studies
LEAD 610 Biblical Foundations of Leadership and
Ethics

Veli-Lauri Kotilainen

28.08.2021

Critical Analysis of the Book: Spiritual Leadership : Moving People on to

God's Agenda
Authors: Blackaby, Henry T; Blackaby, Richard. Publication Information: Nashville :
B&H Books. 2011 Chapter Three; How God Develops Leaders, and Chapter Four, The
Leader's Vision: Where Do Leaders Get It, and How Do They Communicate It?

- Description:
In Chapter three author introduces George Barna research which
revealed that only 6% of pastors claim to sense the gift of leadership in their
life/ministry. This may explain the sense of desperation many church leaders
express as they examine their ministry and personal effectiveness. I think,
compressed summary of this chapter could be compressed in “The greatness of an
organization is directly proportional to the greatness of its leader.” In addition, the
thought “Leadership development is synonymous with personal development”, is
relational and thought provoking. Furthermore, the sentence “As leaders grow
personally, they increase their ability to lead.” This answers to the question of the
chapter title: How God develops leaders?
By referring Solomon´s wisdom in Proverbs the chapter four starts its journey for
seeking of vision. It discusses about how and from where vision is found, how to
inspire people with vision, and how leaders communicate vision and through
symbols. The book brings forth again well-known people, like Walt Disney, Henry
Ford, and Bill Gates as examples of successful leaders communicating with vision.
On the subtitle Duplicating success, the author warns through Max De Pree´s
statement that “success closes minds”. Under the subtitle Vanity, authors canvasses
on God´s leadership, and biblical statements about "glorifying God" and "reaching
the lost." Author demonstrates a warning example of a story about modernized
mega church seeking to attract young new members at the expense of the older
members and Pastor ruining the vision.
- Interpretation:
I have noticed that in Balackaby´s book each chapter follows a certain
pattern; it begins with sayings and statements which are applicable to the field of
leadership, then follows examples from a world-known leaders often from their
childhood of adolescence age, then follows biblical examples and these are where
my curiosity arises. After this, again a lot of anecdotes from world history leaders –
this does not convince me if the author wants to prove a point, perhaps it is making
the book entertaining to read, but for me it is not quite enough. Life experiences,
failures, crisis, personal struggles and success through hardships – this pattern does
not necessarily always apply. Okay, then author gets serious; God gives His Holy
Spirit – Now we are at the core of it. Why didn´t the author go right away into
business? Well probably these background things serve the bigger purpose. There is
a depiction in this chapter of Moses, a narrative of spiritual developmental stages –
from where I learned what author meant. Again when chapter refers to Robert
Clinton as a Leadership guru, I am not that convinced – I prefer Lawrence Kohlberg.
The chapter Four introduces a Leader with a vision, when this chapter says “God
equips each church for particular assignments (1 Cor. 12:12–31). The congregation
must discover its vision not by asking people's opinions but by seeking God's
direction1.”I could not agree more. There are great advices to churches as well, the
one I found very interesting; “While most leaders know vision is important,
understanding how to achieve vision is not a simple endeavor.2” Indeed, achieving a
vision is much harder than to set it. Gandhi´s example for his people may guide
nations and Bill Gates his organization – while God is in the business of saving
people.
1
Blackaby, Henry T.. Spiritual Leadership (p. 94). B&H Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.
2
Blackaby, Henry T.. Spiritual Leadership (p. 97). B&H Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.
 - Evaluation:
On my personal reflection of this chapter, canvasses some interesting
quests for vision and means to achieve them, I prefer the ones revealed by God –
The one vision I am following is the one The Remnant Church has formulated some
6½ years ago in General Conference in sessions. I am wondering if the last part of
this chapter “With Vision Comes Accountability” –is indeed correct. Every NGO and
Organization has one to direct them, and a vision is necessary in terms of setting a
goal – where do we want to be 10 years from now or 20 years from now. However,
are those same people who set the vison in their position when the time has
reached to judge and hold leaders accountable – individuals who answer personally
decisions are often times nowhere to be found. I am bit doubtful again, I may be
wrong as well.