Exemplary Spiritual Leadership

Just completed 144 pages of wisdom in Pastor Jerry Wragg’s work, Exemplary Spiritual Leadership: Facing the Challenges, Escaping the Dangers. While beneficial for any Christian, it should be required reading for aspiring and established leaders desiring to be more godly in their leadership of God’s people. Here is the summary conclusion of the book (p. 144):

What, then, is leadership? It is the God-given ability to influence others through the power of a godly life and the wisdom gained in the practice of truth. God’s people are suffering greatly today for lack of dynamic spiritual influence. Oh, there’s all kinds of influence being had – popularity contests, business savvy, political power, financial manipulation, social mobilization, and so on – and such methods have infiltrated the work of the church, captivating the affections of her leaders, who seem ready to chase every new fad on the horizon. These tactics are, however, impotent when it comes to true leadership. Leading others to real change and spiritual growth demands character that has walked that same path in victory. We must abandon the pop-techniques of the business world and the communal overtones of the postmodern, anti-authority bent. As the spiritual leaders of today who are teaching those of tomorrow, we must be able to articulate the truth with piercing clarity, our lives must reflect a sober-mindedness and the pursuit of holy living, we must flee from the weaknesses and sinful habits that destroy integrity, faithfulness, and humble obedience, and we must pour our lives into the next generation of God’s men. If we bail on this vital responsibility, the people of God will have to live with the fallout. The mandate is clear, our orders are unambiguous. In the words of Paul, ‘…what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also’ (2 Tim. 2:2).

Pastor Wragg’s book can be purchased here.