by Pastor Patrick Cho

“At the outset of any study of spiritual leadership, this master principle must be squarely faced: True greatness, true leadership, is found in giving yourself in service to others, not in coaxing or inducing others to serve you” (J. Oswald Sanders, Spiritual Leadership, 15).

Recently, I have been re-reading Spiritual Leadership, by J. Oswald Sanders, and I am glad to have picked it up again. It has been almost a decade since I last read it, and I am realizing that so much of the book has been forgotten, it is like reading it for the first time. Picking it up again has been a great encouragement and challenge to me. I highly recommend this book to anyone who aspires to spiritual leadership, and I suggest that those in positions of leadership who have not read this book do so soon.

Especially since I have been preaching through 1 Corinthians 8 and 9, the principle of setting aside personal freedoms and rights in order to serve others in love has been particularly highlighted these past few weeks. Even when something is your “right” in the Lord, if it would cause others to stumble in sin, it would be better to refrain so as not to stumble your brother. The general principle involved is that we are to look not merely after our own interests, but also to the interests of others (Phil. 2:4).

In the first chapter of Spiritual Leadership, Sanders astutely reminds his readers that leaders are held to this general principle with a higher accountability. Leadership is all about serving others and not just looking after your own selfish ambition or desires. It is giving up of yourself in love. This instruction from Sanders’ book is not new, but a timeless principle that I know I need to be constantly reminded of. Especially if you are in leadership, how are you using your position to serve others in the Lord? How are you giving up of yourself in love for others?