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Leadership in Christian Perspective: Biblical Foundations and Contemporary Practices for Servant Leaders
This book brings the best of leadership theory and research together with biblical reflection and examples of leadership in action to offer a practical guide to Christian leaders.
Combining expertise in leadership studies and biblical studies, Justin Irving and Mark Strauss explore how leadership models have moved from autocratic and paternalistic leader-centered models toward an increased focus on followers. The authors show how contemporary theories such as transformational leadership, authentic leadership, and servant leadership take an important step toward prioritizing and empowering followers who work with leaders to accomplish organizational goals. Irving and Strauss organize their book around "nine empowering practices," making it accessible to students, church leaders, and business leaders.
Integrating solid research in leadership studies with biblical and theological reflection on the leadership ideas that are most compatible with Christian faith, this book is an important resource for all Christian students of leadership.
Combining expertise in leadership studies and biblical studies, Justin Irving and Mark Strauss explore how leadership models have moved from autocratic and paternalistic leader-centered models toward an increased focus on followers. The authors show how contemporary theories such as transformational leadership, authentic leadership, and servant leadership take an important step toward prioritizing and empowering followers who work with leaders to accomplish organizational goals. Irving and Strauss organize their book around "nine empowering practices," making it accessible to students, church leaders, and business leaders.
Integrating solid research in leadership studies with biblical and theological reflection on the leadership ideas that are most compatible with Christian faith, this book is an important resource for all Christian students of leadership.
240 pages, Paperback
First published June 18, 2019
58 people are currently reading
113 people want to read
About the author
Justin A. Irving
6 books4 followersJustin A. Irving (PhD, Regent University) is professor of ministry leadership and director of the DMin Program at Bethel Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota. He has authored numerous journal articles and has contributed to leadership books, including Servant Leadership: Developments in Theory and Research and Practicing Servant Leadership: Developments in Implementation.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
May 29, 2023
Such a defining book for me in learning about leadership in the church. Technical in language and tone, but deeply encouraging and helpful for developing a framework. 10/10 recommend for young (and young at heart) leaders!
November 3, 2021
There are approximately a million books on Christian leadership. I know this because I’m a doctoral candidate working on a degree in pastoral leadership and I’ve had to read most of them. The truth is that most of them have their nuggets of uniqueness and wisdom but are overall the same. Leadership in Christian Perspective is one of those books, but it’s a bit more polished, a bit more readable, and has a bit more depth than the rest of the field.
This is an academic text, rather than something like John Maxwell or Ken Blanchard lay-level text, meaning that it is intended for more substantive study than just exhortation and encouragement. (And no knock on Maxwell or Blanchard, there’s a need and market for both!) Authors Irving and Strauss present nine core leadership practices focused within three primary themes:
First theme is that of authentic and purposeful leaders. They must 1) model what matters 2) engage in honest self-evaluation and 3) foster collaboration. I especially appreciated the focus on self-leadership and control with the obvious corollary that if you cannot lead yourself you will struggle to lead others.
Second theme is on understanding the priority of people. This is the heart of the servant leadership model and key to any Christian leadership theory. It’s about 1) valuing and appreciating 2) creating a place for individuality and 3) understanding relational skills. The highlight here is the focus on employee individuality, as many organizations strive for conformity in both large and small areas.
Third theme is effectiveness, which should flow out of enacting the first two themes, with a focus on 1) communicating with clarity 2) providing accountability 3) and supporting and resourcing followers/employees. This moves into the realm of practicality as leaders strive to actually lead people to action to meet a shared vision and goals.
I appreciate that although this is a book about leadership in Christian perspective, it is not about Christian leadership only. The techniques and tools discussed in the book are equally applicable to the secular realm as well, and in my opinion, probably better suited to how to lead Christianly in a secular setting. The book uses a number of vignettes that illustrates its principle in action and give the reader some idea of implementation.
Overall, Leadership in Christian Perspective is a fine work. My one criticism would be related to the book’s use of “servant leaders” without doing much to define that term. “Servant leadership” is often used as a synonym with “Christian leadership” without much concern as to if the leadership type actually aligns with the theory of servant leadership. In the book, Irving and Strauss tend toward authentic or transformational leadership theory. It’s a solid, foundational text that doesn’t go much in breaking new ground but organizes, clarifies, and presents the “old ground” in an engaging and accessible manner.
This is an academic text, rather than something like John Maxwell or Ken Blanchard lay-level text, meaning that it is intended for more substantive study than just exhortation and encouragement. (And no knock on Maxwell or Blanchard, there’s a need and market for both!) Authors Irving and Strauss present nine core leadership practices focused within three primary themes:
First theme is that of authentic and purposeful leaders. They must 1) model what matters 2) engage in honest self-evaluation and 3) foster collaboration. I especially appreciated the focus on self-leadership and control with the obvious corollary that if you cannot lead yourself you will struggle to lead others.
Second theme is on understanding the priority of people. This is the heart of the servant leadership model and key to any Christian leadership theory. It’s about 1) valuing and appreciating 2) creating a place for individuality and 3) understanding relational skills. The highlight here is the focus on employee individuality, as many organizations strive for conformity in both large and small areas.
Third theme is effectiveness, which should flow out of enacting the first two themes, with a focus on 1) communicating with clarity 2) providing accountability 3) and supporting and resourcing followers/employees. This moves into the realm of practicality as leaders strive to actually lead people to action to meet a shared vision and goals.
I appreciate that although this is a book about leadership in Christian perspective, it is not about Christian leadership only. The techniques and tools discussed in the book are equally applicable to the secular realm as well, and in my opinion, probably better suited to how to lead Christianly in a secular setting. The book uses a number of vignettes that illustrates its principle in action and give the reader some idea of implementation.
Overall, Leadership in Christian Perspective is a fine work. My one criticism would be related to the book’s use of “servant leaders” without doing much to define that term. “Servant leadership” is often used as a synonym with “Christian leadership” without much concern as to if the leadership type actually aligns with the theory of servant leadership. In the book, Irving and Strauss tend toward authentic or transformational leadership theory. It’s a solid, foundational text that doesn’t go much in breaking new ground but organizes, clarifies, and presents the “old ground” in an engaging and accessible manner.
July 31, 2024
I took away some useful bits, and I will likely use this book as a resource in the future. But by and large, this was a case in point for why I gravitate away from this kind of literature. It felt like I was sitting through a required HR training. The biblical support was good, but so much of the book's thrust was more about contemporary perspectives on leadership and pulling those threads together into the authors' model. I'm not saying that's wrong or that I disagree with their proposals. It was just really boring - all light and no heat. 1st time read. 2/5.
September 21, 2024
Very helpful. I do not tend to like these kinds of books. I profited from this one!
August 11, 2025
Basic principles any leader should know. Do yourself a favor and just ChatGPT the summary
December 20, 2019
I didn't find the arguments ultimately persuasive. I enjoyed the survey of leadership theory but I didn't find any compelling arguments for *why* contemporary approaches were superior to older methods when it comes to actual outcomes and execution.
July 29, 2024
Justin A. Irving and Mark L. Strauss, Leadership in Christian Perspective: Biblical Foundations and Contemporary Practices for Servant Leaders Baker Academic, 2019.
This book is the fruit of the labor between a New Testament scholar (Mark Strauss) and leadership scholar (Justin Irving). Leadership in Christian Perspective is written for pastors and lay people, and for anyone who wants to or is a leader. The thesis of the book is to promote the concept of servant leadership through the use of biblical and contemporary examples.
Each section of the book includes three chapters that break down the aspects of their leadership model, and each chapter takes a three-prong approach. First, the theme of the chapter is approached from a biblical perspective. Second, the theme is discussed from the perspective of contemporary leadership, with reference to Irving’s research, and finally the authors aim to provide examples and reflections on the leadership skills when put into practice. The final chapter also provides some practical ‘next steps’, and some relevant books for further study.
Part one of the book focuses on internal leadership. In “Modeling What Matters” the writers discuss that it is important for leaders to actually model what they ask from their followers. The authors state, “Modeling what matters involves identifying priorities for the organization and then translating these priorities into meaningful action’ (23). Next, in ‘Engaging in Honest Self-Evaluation” the authors introduce the concept of ‘self efficacy’ which reminds us to need to know our strengths and weaknesses as leaders (43). Lastly, the authors tackle the idea of Fostering Collaboration.’ The authors ground this idea in reflections on Paul’s letter to the church of Phillipi. In addition, the authors remind us that to have a thriving collaborative environment a leader needs to promote humility (63).
Part two of the book focuses on the followers. In “Valuing and Appreciating,” Irving and Strauss use Paul’s co-laborer Barnabas as a case study for servant leadership. They call leaders to lead not out of fear but out of love and appreciation of their followers as individuals and for what they bring to the table. Then, in “Creating a Place for Individuality,” Strauss and Irving explore the biblical concepts of gifting and how each individual’s giftings promotes the unity of the organization. The authors reminds us that, “when individuals in an organization are seen and recognized for their uniqueness, including their unique contributions, then developing people is a natural next step for the servant leader” (110). Moving forward, in “Understanding Relational Skills,” Irving and Strauss sum up the entire chapter by saying that “people matter” (120) and that “Leadership, at its heart, is about relating well with people inside and outside your organization” (ibid).
In conclusion, in the last section of the book Irving and Strauss move towards strategies Christian leaders can use to be more effective. In “Communicating with Clarity” Irving and Strauss discuss various aspects of communication theory and give a clarion call for leaders to communicate clear messages. Although effective communicators are not necessarily effecitve leaders, effective leaders are by necessity effective communicators (141). “Providing Accountability” the author’s stress the importance of setting expectations which are not only clear, but shared by everyone. Irving and Strauss write, “In servant-leadership theory, providing leadership and sharing leadership stand alongside each other” (170). Finally, in “Supporting and Resourcing” the authors remind us of our greatest resource as Christians: The Holy Spirit. They write that, “We might not normally think of the Holy Spirit as a leadership resource. But for every Christian—whether involving the work of Christians in the church or in the marketplace—the Holy Spirit should be our primary source of strength and guidance” (182). They also discuss what it means to really support and resource a team.
In my opinion, the biggest takeaway from Strauss and Irving’s book was the importance of communicating with clarity. Leadership is highly difficult, and it becomes even harder if the communication is muddled. Too many times, ineffective communication has stifled and derailed many leaders and followers. Being able to communicate in a clear, concise, and effective way will make the duties of the leader and the follower easier.
This book is the fruit of the labor between a New Testament scholar (Mark Strauss) and leadership scholar (Justin Irving). Leadership in Christian Perspective is written for pastors and lay people, and for anyone who wants to or is a leader. The thesis of the book is to promote the concept of servant leadership through the use of biblical and contemporary examples.
Each section of the book includes three chapters that break down the aspects of their leadership model, and each chapter takes a three-prong approach. First, the theme of the chapter is approached from a biblical perspective. Second, the theme is discussed from the perspective of contemporary leadership, with reference to Irving’s research, and finally the authors aim to provide examples and reflections on the leadership skills when put into practice. The final chapter also provides some practical ‘next steps’, and some relevant books for further study.
Part one of the book focuses on internal leadership. In “Modeling What Matters” the writers discuss that it is important for leaders to actually model what they ask from their followers. The authors state, “Modeling what matters involves identifying priorities for the organization and then translating these priorities into meaningful action’ (23). Next, in ‘Engaging in Honest Self-Evaluation” the authors introduce the concept of ‘self efficacy’ which reminds us to need to know our strengths and weaknesses as leaders (43). Lastly, the authors tackle the idea of Fostering Collaboration.’ The authors ground this idea in reflections on Paul’s letter to the church of Phillipi. In addition, the authors remind us that to have a thriving collaborative environment a leader needs to promote humility (63).
Part two of the book focuses on the followers. In “Valuing and Appreciating,” Irving and Strauss use Paul’s co-laborer Barnabas as a case study for servant leadership. They call leaders to lead not out of fear but out of love and appreciation of their followers as individuals and for what they bring to the table. Then, in “Creating a Place for Individuality,” Strauss and Irving explore the biblical concepts of gifting and how each individual’s giftings promotes the unity of the organization. The authors reminds us that, “when individuals in an organization are seen and recognized for their uniqueness, including their unique contributions, then developing people is a natural next step for the servant leader” (110). Moving forward, in “Understanding Relational Skills,” Irving and Strauss sum up the entire chapter by saying that “people matter” (120) and that “Leadership, at its heart, is about relating well with people inside and outside your organization” (ibid).
In conclusion, in the last section of the book Irving and Strauss move towards strategies Christian leaders can use to be more effective. In “Communicating with Clarity” Irving and Strauss discuss various aspects of communication theory and give a clarion call for leaders to communicate clear messages. Although effective communicators are not necessarily effecitve leaders, effective leaders are by necessity effective communicators (141). “Providing Accountability” the author’s stress the importance of setting expectations which are not only clear, but shared by everyone. Irving and Strauss write, “In servant-leadership theory, providing leadership and sharing leadership stand alongside each other” (170). Finally, in “Supporting and Resourcing” the authors remind us of our greatest resource as Christians: The Holy Spirit. They write that, “We might not normally think of the Holy Spirit as a leadership resource. But for every Christian—whether involving the work of Christians in the church or in the marketplace—the Holy Spirit should be our primary source of strength and guidance” (182). They also discuss what it means to really support and resource a team.
In my opinion, the biggest takeaway from Strauss and Irving’s book was the importance of communicating with clarity. Leadership is highly difficult, and it becomes even harder if the communication is muddled. Too many times, ineffective communication has stifled and derailed many leaders and followers. Being able to communicate in a clear, concise, and effective way will make the duties of the leader and the follower easier.
March 20, 2024
I appreciate the leadership style presented in this book. The three major points, each split into three sub points, comprise a unique presentation I have not seen in the range of literature I have read on leadership. The content is not unique, just the arrangement. The overall leadership theory proposed in this book is presented logically and organized well into three major sections with three chapters each. Each chapter follows the same structure, easing the reader’s ability to follow the arguments. The nine leadership practices presented make sense for the context of leadership.
However, nothing about this leadership theory is inherently Christian. It is not anti-biblical, but it also is not distinctly or uniquely biblical. This could be presented as an entirely secular theory or implemented by someone of any religion, including an atheist. The authors tout the dangers of taking passages of the Bible out of context as proof texts, yet each chapter presents a biblical example taken out of context to demonstrate that chapter’s contemporary leadership theory.
Some other notable pitfalls: Often terms are introduced and not defined, and then the merits of that particular model are discussed without having explained what the model is. The nine essential practices of leadership have significant overlap and are not clearly defined or delineated. The authors could have done a better job building their credibility to speak on the subject. Their research findings are presented as “statistically significant” without discussion of who or what was studied to develop these conclusions. Cross-cultural implications are mentioned in passing and then ignored. Standardization, which is critical to production industries, is condemned. The definition of leadership on page 1 is never referenced throughout the rest of the book.
I wonder, who is the intended audience for this book? The audience appears to be a businessman working in a secular company within the knowledge industry who practices a very Americanized Christianity.
However, nothing about this leadership theory is inherently Christian. It is not anti-biblical, but it also is not distinctly or uniquely biblical. This could be presented as an entirely secular theory or implemented by someone of any religion, including an atheist. The authors tout the dangers of taking passages of the Bible out of context as proof texts, yet each chapter presents a biblical example taken out of context to demonstrate that chapter’s contemporary leadership theory.
Some other notable pitfalls: Often terms are introduced and not defined, and then the merits of that particular model are discussed without having explained what the model is. The nine essential practices of leadership have significant overlap and are not clearly defined or delineated. The authors could have done a better job building their credibility to speak on the subject. Their research findings are presented as “statistically significant” without discussion of who or what was studied to develop these conclusions. Cross-cultural implications are mentioned in passing and then ignored. Standardization, which is critical to production industries, is condemned. The definition of leadership on page 1 is never referenced throughout the rest of the book.
I wonder, who is the intended audience for this book? The audience appears to be a businessman working in a secular company within the knowledge industry who practices a very Americanized Christianity.
January 28, 2025
It in many ways felt like every other leadership book ever. It was a bit too methodical for my taste. I think this book had a lot of potential to touch on how leadership failings should persuade us towards a Christian perspective on leadership. The authors instead chose to highlight examples of servant leadership lived out. This isn’t necessarily bad! But I think a major blind spot of many leaders is that we think we are doing the right thing, while actually missing a lot of damage. Not to mention an effective leader does not equal a healthy one.
Overall, there were some good things I gleaned, and I really appreciated the section on clarity and communication, but I wouldn’t call this book revolutionary.
Overall, there were some good things I gleaned, and I really appreciated the section on clarity and communication, but I wouldn’t call this book revolutionary.
February 6, 2020
Good balance between biblical examples and developments in leadership methods
The book does a great job balancing leadership principles and examples found within the biblical text, through leadership scholarship, and real life examples of effective leaders in various settings. Each chapter ends with suggested activities or reflections to help the reader apply and grow in their leadership. Good read for any leader.
The book does a great job balancing leadership principles and examples found within the biblical text, through leadership scholarship, and real life examples of effective leaders in various settings. Each chapter ends with suggested activities or reflections to help the reader apply and grow in their leadership. Good read for any leader.
September 2, 2020
Sometimes when I read Christian leadership books it feels like the authors needs to site the obligatory bible verse to baptize his leadership ideas to satisfy his audience. If I’m honest, I usually just skip the poor interpretation to get the (still very helpful) leadership insight. But I felt like this book did justice to the Bible while also giving helpful leadership lessons. Great starting point for young leaders.
October 3, 2023
Excellent work on Christian leadership. I will refer back to this work often as I seek to equip other leaders in the contact of the local church. I must admit though, that my reading of the book was enhanced by taking a course in Christian leadership, taught by one of the authors - Justin Irving - who based many of his lectures in part or as a whole - on the concepts found in the book - resulting in my working through the book twice, in a manner of speaking. Recommended!!
April 1, 2023
I would give this book six stars if I could. One of the most robust and helpful books on leadership from a Christian perspective. Irving and Strauss beautifully weave theology with research. This book is not only helpful in shaping the readers view on leadership but also implementing a Christian view of leadership in the contemporary world.
April 17, 2024
It was a helpful Christian Leadership book with multiple nuggets of information.
December 10, 2024
The best contemporary book on Christian Leadership, no contest
July 9, 2025
Overall really enjoyed this book on practical servant leadership--especially the last 3 chapters.
August 7, 2025
Read for a class I forgot I was in until two days ago, panic reading! But very good content, I was pleasantly surprised!
December 24, 2024
In Strauss and Irving’s work, the authors look to instruct their readers on leadership through the double lens of the Scriptures and academic study. The result is an argument for servant leadership as not only the Biblical norm but also the evidence based best leadership practice.
That said, what is Christian Leadership? While the authors due define their terms, their realm remains unclear. Is a Christian who is an officer manager over an accounting firm acting out Christian Leadership? Likewise, is an unbelieving office manager trying to serve their employees and customers well acting in some form of Christian Leadership? If a non-Christian can act out Christian Leadership, then how can it still be referred to as Christian? These questions and other like them seem to reveal a confusion of categories. While Christians need to consistently live for Christ, a business that turns the other cheek by allowing invoices to go unpaid and an individual Christian that turns the other cheek are categorically quite different.
In many ways, this confusion of categories can only exist in a Christianized culture. Paul wrote to Christians for them to manage their households and servants in a godly way; however, he never argued that by doing so their businesses would achieve the greatest economic production. Jesus instructed His disciples to love their neighbors as themselves, but He never told them that by doing so their companies would see more growth than other strategies.
On the other hand, if the work is intended as proof the pastors should excise servant leadership, then I’m ashamed that CEOs and businesses are being put forward as the model of such behavior and not Christ! A man who needs to be motivated to act in a godly way towards others because of case studies of various businesses isn’t qualified to be an elder.
While I agree with much of this book, I think that the work may contribute to subjects on which many are already confused. Christians need to live for Christ consistently. But the bent of the New Testament isn’t that by so doing, your business will thrive. Rather, that by so doing, you will witness to Christ and will suffer for it.
That said, what is Christian Leadership? While the authors due define their terms, their realm remains unclear. Is a Christian who is an officer manager over an accounting firm acting out Christian Leadership? Likewise, is an unbelieving office manager trying to serve their employees and customers well acting in some form of Christian Leadership? If a non-Christian can act out Christian Leadership, then how can it still be referred to as Christian? These questions and other like them seem to reveal a confusion of categories. While Christians need to consistently live for Christ, a business that turns the other cheek by allowing invoices to go unpaid and an individual Christian that turns the other cheek are categorically quite different.
In many ways, this confusion of categories can only exist in a Christianized culture. Paul wrote to Christians for them to manage their households and servants in a godly way; however, he never argued that by doing so their businesses would achieve the greatest economic production. Jesus instructed His disciples to love their neighbors as themselves, but He never told them that by doing so their companies would see more growth than other strategies.
On the other hand, if the work is intended as proof the pastors should excise servant leadership, then I’m ashamed that CEOs and businesses are being put forward as the model of such behavior and not Christ! A man who needs to be motivated to act in a godly way towards others because of case studies of various businesses isn’t qualified to be an elder.
While I agree with much of this book, I think that the work may contribute to subjects on which many are already confused. Christians need to live for Christ consistently. But the bent of the New Testament isn’t that by so doing, your business will thrive. Rather, that by so doing, you will witness to Christ and will suffer for it.
March 26, 2019
Much needed book!
This book marries and intermingles the best of leadership theory with the best of biblical exegesis. Often leadership books are written from exclusively pragmatic notions that lead some Christians to be suspicious of the leadership theory project as a whole. In contrast, this book clearly steers away from any pragmatic notions. Instead, two sound scholars, one leadership theorist and another biblical exegete have joined forces to guide us and help us understand the leadership theory in light of the Biblical imperatives.
Justin Irving and Mark Strauss bring these two disciplines in conversation to each other. In the light of the scriptures, they explore different models of leadership such as transformational leadership, authentic leadership and servant leadership and helpfully evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of each theory.
The book is simply divided in ‘nine empowering practices’ that is exceptionally helpful for all kinds of audiences. Both students and teachers can glean wisdom from this work.
Leadership in Christian Perspective is for anyone who is interested in understanding leadership and leadership theories from Christian perspective.
I thank Baker Academic for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This book marries and intermingles the best of leadership theory with the best of biblical exegesis. Often leadership books are written from exclusively pragmatic notions that lead some Christians to be suspicious of the leadership theory project as a whole. In contrast, this book clearly steers away from any pragmatic notions. Instead, two sound scholars, one leadership theorist and another biblical exegete have joined forces to guide us and help us understand the leadership theory in light of the Biblical imperatives.
Justin Irving and Mark Strauss bring these two disciplines in conversation to each other. In the light of the scriptures, they explore different models of leadership such as transformational leadership, authentic leadership and servant leadership and helpfully evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of each theory.
The book is simply divided in ‘nine empowering practices’ that is exceptionally helpful for all kinds of audiences. Both students and teachers can glean wisdom from this work.
Leadership in Christian Perspective is for anyone who is interested in understanding leadership and leadership theories from Christian perspective.
I thank Baker Academic for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews