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 Five; The Leader's Goal: Moving People on to God's Agenda

- Description:
In the Chapter five, authors state correctly “Leaders acquiring a new
position must ask, "Where should my organization go?1" And I have understood,
that this chapter may be the most important one, due to the fact that chapter´s title
is also in the name of the book. Direction and objectives seeking leads in the chapter
to pitfalls in the part named subtitle “Unworthy goals”. It is very interesting that the
1
Blackaby, Henry T.. Spiritual Leadership (p. 120). B&H Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.
author seems to criticize “producing results” type of activity in the church. It causes
me a re-evaluation in my own ministry, because I personally used to be focusing on
the baptized members and amounts of the tithe returns. “Society has changed” says
Balackaby, and he has a lot of truth in his statement, he moves then into the
expectations of the followers from the leaders. Balckaby criticizes also old time
leaders as being perfectionists and warns people in the use of word ´excellence´ it
rather suggests ´mature in Christ´. From there on the book moves to the worthy
goals which emphasizes development of the people. Henry Balckaby shares then his
experience in Canada of an attempt to tech people to hear the voice of God, and
The objective, which is to bring the people into an intimate relationship with Christ
so they know when he is speaking and guiding them as his body2. Next experience
one is Richard Blackaby´s named “Spiritual Leadership on the Job”

- Interpretation:
When chapter five says: “Spiritual leaders do not use people to achieve
their goals… people are the goal!” I wish to ask aren´t the newly baptized people –
the real goal in the church setting? However, I totally agree with author´s opinion
when he states: One of the worst mistakes leaders commit is making themselves
indispensable3. I also agree in the suggestion that great leaders should prepare a
follower and educate him/her as a successor. One of the examples, leaders
delegate, I am familiar with however challenging it is. The checklist continues;
´Leaders provide encouragement and support.´-again I totally agree. And glorifying
God, goes without saying -that is our duty as Christians. Blackaby brings forth a
biblical example from Matt 6 whereby tax collectors and fishermen followed Jesus, I
have noticed that in this book biblical examples are taken to demonstrate certain
issues, I am not sure if I am comfortable with it.
.
- Evaluation:
On my personal reflection of this chapter, I have learned that by
answering the questions at the end of each chapter I can benefit from the content of
the book. Those questions will do the work if a reader is honest, this is indeed
workbook. Although I don´t like all the examples from well-known people, such as
2
Blackaby, Henry T.. Spiritual Leadership (p. 132). B&H Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.
3
Blackaby, Henry T.. Spiritual Leadership (p. 133). B&H Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.
President of U.S.A they just may serve the bigger purpose. I also like the attitude of
people centered leadership –the message authors are trying to convey. All in all this
chapter has lot of substance and quality content.