Definition

As one of my mentors once shared with me, if you are leading and no one is following then you are just out for a walk.

John W. Gardner in his book, On Leadership, says that “Leadership is the process of persuasion or example by which an individual (or leadership team) induces a group to pursue objectives held by a leader . . .”

James MacGregor Burns in his book, Leadership says, “Leadership over human beings is exercised when persons with certain motives and purposes mobilize . . .resources so as to arouse, engage and satisfy the motives of the followers . . .”
 
Oswald Sanders in his book, Spiritual Leadership” says, “leaders is influence, the ability of one person to influence others.”
 
George Barna in his book, Leaders on Leadership says, “A Christian leader is someone who is called by God to lead; leads with and through Christlike character and demonstrates the functional competencies that permit effective leadership to take place.”
 
Robert Clinton in his book, The Making of a Leader says, “The central task of leadership is influencing God’s people toward God’s purposes.”

Henry & Richard Blackaby in their book, Spiritual Leadership, give the most concise definition of leadership they say, “Spiritual leadership is moving people on to God’s agenda.”

And from what these leaders have said about leadership, I have adopted the following definition of spiritual leadership, "it is to help those whom I am leading to find where God is already at work in their lives and join in Him in that work." Jesus says in John 5:19 Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.