A.W. Tozer - Lead Like Christ: Reflecting the Qualities and Character of Christ in Your Ministry

Reading a Tozer book can be quite a challenge. Throughout his ministry, he never focused on weak Christians who were only after the pleasures of life.

The audience Tozer focused on were those with an incurable hunger and thirst for the deep things of God. In chapter 15, for example, he essentially says only Christians with backbone will ever get into heaven. Of course, what he meant was that our Christianity has to be such that we stand against everything contrary to the nature of Jesus Christ.

If we are going to be servants of Christ, we need to be Christlike in every regard.

One quote I like from Tozer is God does not call the equipped. Rather, in His wisdom, God equips the called. That seems to be the underlying message in this book.

Throughout his ministry, Tozer was never hesitant about offending people. He did not do it unnecessarily or because he had a mean spirit. Quite the opposite. He knew that some of the things he was teaching and writing about would not be acceptable to immature and carnal Christians. And sure enough, his teaching did offend them because it did not fit into their spiritual agenda.

This book is based on a series of sermons on the book of Titus. In this series, Tozer used Pauls advice to Titus to guide those of us today who want to serve Christ acceptably.

This is not an inspirational book to help spiritual leaders feel good about themselves. Consider it a workbook to empower men and women to be the kinds of leaders needed by the church today. To drive them to their knees in absolute surrender.

Sound doctrine is so essential that Tozer does not write to CEOs but rather to people akin to CTOs (chief theological officers). That is why he spends time dealing with theological issues that Paul established for Titus. One concern Tozer had was that many spiritual leaders are doctrinally challenged.

Tozers emphasis is that we are to lead like Christ, which requires a thorough understanding of biblical doctrine. Too often people focus on certain issues and divide the church into little doctrinal clubs.

The challenge Tozer gives is to follow the real Jesusthe Jesus of the New Testamentand be prepared to be treated like Christ was treated in His day.

Like with other Tozer books, you will not be able to read this in one sitting. It will take time to process the truth he shares in these pages. Yet I believe, and it happened to me, that this book will give you a new perspective on what it means to be a spiritual leader.

Dr. James L. Snyder