Jesus on Leadership: Timeless Wisdom on Servant Leadership

by C. Gene Wilkes

Discover the essence of transformative leadership by studying how Jesus led. Gene Wilkes, a popular conference speaker, describes how Jesus led. He identifies seven practical principles for today’s leaders, to assist them with everything from humbling their hearts to building a team for Christ.

Genres: Leadership, Christian, Nonfiction, Faith, Christianity

251 pages, Paperback

First published September 3, 1998

About the author

I'm a husband, father, pastor, professor, author and friend...

I have had over 23 years of adventure as pastor of Legacy Church in Plano, TX, and I look forward to more years of serving and living alongside the people who are Legacy.

I wrote Jesus On Leadership (Tyndale, 1998); An Angel in the Flame (Leafwood, 2008); Evangelism Where You Live (Chalice Press, 2008); and wrote the study guide resources for LifeBibleStudy.com (Yahweh, 2007; Christos, 2008; and Ekklesia, 2009)

I have taught as an adjunct professor for Dallas Baptist University in the Cook Graduate School of Leadership and am a Resident Fellow for B. H. Carroll Theological Institute.

But my greatest joy is still being with my family...

Reviews

[Kim Sutphen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this for a seminary class in Leadership in Ministry. Really appreciated Dr. Wilkes laying out a servant leadership model supported by Scripture with stories of his own fumbles trying to live this out. There was a reference to slavery that I wonder if he revised the book if he would leave it out given the knowledge we have gained about how hurtful things like this can be without intending to. He also quotes a couple of leaders that have fallen off their pedestals which actually proves so much about the truth of what he has written. He wrote the book long before this happened so I chose to keep all the good he had written and not ‘cancel’ it because of that.
I did find it honest and truthful when he said the business world talks more about servant leadership today than the church. Even though the church has the perfect model in Christ.
Recommend for anyone in any form of ministry.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars, really great information but it is hard to reconcile a higher rating with the way race is construed throughout. Definitely would have been a 4-5 star read if more consideration was given above cherry-picked quotes from black preachers.

[Brian Bement · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not as strong as Empowering Leadership by Michael Fletcher, but a helpful description of the principles of leadership that reflect the character of Christ. Very helpful for processing through next level training for leaders in our church.

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing book on leadership! I walked away with some beautiful truths and life applications.💛

[Cassidy Watson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good book, but would be more applicable to leaders in a Christian ministry than to high schoolers.

[Robbie Burns]

Generally good.

[Annie Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wisdom for leaders

I have thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It gives clear enough information about leading like Jesus. That even a Novice can learn from it.

[Anna-Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! Would 10/10 recommend as a book on learning how to be a leader like Jesus. New perspective on old ideas.

[Macy Wright · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️ I definitely appreciate the wisdom this book contains! However, some of it felt very repetitive which made it difficult to focus.

[Matthew Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book on leadership using Jesus as the example.

[Josh Trice · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had a hard time reading this book. While I agreed (for the most part) with the seven principles that Wilkes outlines, I found them to be oddly hollow. While I do not doubt the faith or intentions of Wilkes in writing this book, it comes off to me as a commodification of Jesus as a leader who, if we look at his leadership style, offers us principles (and other management/leadership jargon) to live by.

I think in looking at Christ and His ministry as an example of Leadership, we miss the more important parts of His life and purpose. We miss His story.

[Brooklynn Langston · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely incredible. A practical guide to servant leadership and how to really live like Jesus did. I highly recommend to anyone who wants to go farther in life or ministry.

[Audge Shrewsbury · Rating 3 out of 5]

Had to read it for a class, it’s a well-written book, but not enjoyable if you’re not a religious person, like i am.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had its up's and down's. I really liked the introductory section, and I liked his seven principles. He introduced some interesting ideas on how to understand servant leadership from a Christian perspective. However when he started writing two chapters on each principle I found that some of the sections were quite long without really elucidating anything more about the principle. In particular I was disappointed that he didn't draw more from the Biblical story of washing the disciples' feet (since this is his core Biblical example).

Still it definitely had some new thoughts, and it's an easy read (which some leadership books are not). It's a good place to start, as well, and since it has a lot of references it's also good for providing suggestions for what to read next.

[Kathryn McClatchy · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I first started reading this book, I almost stopped because the opening chapter just seemed too obvious. But, having met Dr. Wilkes and listened to his sermons online, I knew he had more to say so I kept reading. I'm glad I did. As he unpacked many of Jesus' examples of leadership, Dr. Wilkes also added personal experiences and anecdotes that helped apply facets of leadership to not just church staff, but for lay-leaders, business and community leaders, and parents. I was most impressed that he was open, transparent, and vulnerable enough to allow his readers to learn from his own experiences--both good and not so good. The further I got into the book, the more practical and applicable I found it. I definitely encourage anyone in any leadership role to read this book.

[Ebookwormy1 · Rating 3 out of 5]

An excellent book, my copy is cluttered with notes and thoughts. The author does a good job of avoiding sensationalism and approaching it topic from a Biblical perspective. This means he includes the "good" stuff about leadership ("God share his authority with us.") and the hard things ("Any follower of Christ who seeks to lead like Jesus must be willing to be treated like Jesus. Some will follow. Others will throw stones."). Illustrates how leadership is a refining process for leaders and followers. Highly recommended for every Christian from CEO's to customer service people, fathers and mothers to the high schooler with leadership responsibilities.

[Shawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quite a lot to absorb here. Everything an aspiring leader has learned about scrambling to the top of a company is turned upside-down in this book. Rather than accumulating power and influence in a company in order to get others to follow their will and achieve their vision, leaders are instead asked to serve from below. As per Christ's example as he washed his disciples' feet, the Christian leader is to serve first if he is to lead. Excellent book that definitely deserves several reads. The bibliography and notes alone merit more than a glance.

[Ana · Rating 5 out of 5]

✔️I read this book while I was in my freshmen year, and let me tell you, I LOVED it! This book teaches us be servant-leaders by showing the greatest example of all times: Jesus. It teaches us to be humble, how to lead by serving. It talks about how a leader that serves, gives the example to those around him. And all the time the book uses Jesus as an example and how His ministry here on earth was based on servant-leadership! And we should all follow His steps and be servant-leaders as well, and not just leaders. Well, wonderful book that taught me a lot! ♥️📖👣🙌🏼🙏🏼

[Kyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jesus on Leadership is a great book that takes much of the timeless principles of servant leadership and brings them to the forefront of how leaders need to be leading today. This book changed me dramatically, challenging me in many different aspects of leadership.

I think this is a must read for pastors and Christian leaders.

[Stephen Patrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite Christian Leadership books. The cover alone says a lot about leadership. THe lesson of humilty inherent in the washing the feet of Judas says a lot about sacrifice and what it means to be a servant-leader.

[Jmajors · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the first book I ever read on Jesus as a servant leader model. I normally re-read this book whenever I feel I am Falling into a self centered leadership style. I still have a Bowl, pitcher and towel in my office to remind me I am a foot washer.

[Kent · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book really showed me that leadership is more then just having authority. That we need to be humble even when we know that we are not wrong on what we are doing that we have to share our responsibility with those who we are leading.

[Jess Rowan · Rating 3 out of 5]

My first in-depth exposure to the idea of servant leadership. Great points and strategies for leadership. However, like many preachers turned author, Wilkes can be very redundant. He could easily have given all the information in a book 2/3rds as long.

[Adam Townsend · Rating 4 out of 5]

C. Gene Wilkes has a lot of great leadership principles that he takes from the life of Christ. Couple this book with the small group study and you have the great makings of servant leaders in your church.

[Adam · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of the first leadership books that I read on my own...without it being an assignment. The principles laid out changed my perspective on what it means to be a servant leader.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rereading this since I read it in college.

[Jonathan Aran · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of those books that changed my view on leadership

[Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Will be reading this again. Could not digest it all in one reading. Great book.

[William Chamberlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Challenging principals on servant leadership and influencing people