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Formed to Lead: Humility, Character, Integrity, and Discernment
The Essence of Inspiring and Guiding Others
Discover the profound impact of spirituality on leadership with Formed to Lead, a compelling exploration of how the Holy Spirit shapes effective leaders. Guided by Jason Jensen, a seasoned leader in spiritual foundations, Formed to Lead takes you through an inspiring narrative that bridges divine guidance and practical leadership.
You'll uncover the nature of Christian leadership by examining Jesus' leadership in Luke 3-4. Each chapter offers insights into the temptations of leadership, learning humility through discipleship, and encountering God in vulnerability. With group Bible studies and discussion questions, it’s perfect for those seeking a deeper and more faith-driven approach to leadership.
Formed to Lead shows leaders how
Examine how embracing humility can enhance leadership effectiveness.Explore the connection between spiritual discipline and strong leadership qualities.Learn strategies to overcome common leadership challenges by drawing from Jesus' example.Reflect on personal leadership journeys through guided discussion questions.Ideal for readers of Ruth Haley Barton and Henri Nouwen Formed to Lead is more than a book—it's a guide for aspiring leaders committed to following Jesus’ example. Join a community of like-minded individuals who are reshaping leadership through spirituality. Transform your approach and lead with grace, purpose, and wisdom by reading Formed to Lead.
Discover the profound impact of spirituality on leadership with Formed to Lead, a compelling exploration of how the Holy Spirit shapes effective leaders. Guided by Jason Jensen, a seasoned leader in spiritual foundations, Formed to Lead takes you through an inspiring narrative that bridges divine guidance and practical leadership.
You'll uncover the nature of Christian leadership by examining Jesus' leadership in Luke 3-4. Each chapter offers insights into the temptations of leadership, learning humility through discipleship, and encountering God in vulnerability. With group Bible studies and discussion questions, it’s perfect for those seeking a deeper and more faith-driven approach to leadership.
Formed to Lead shows leaders how
Examine how embracing humility can enhance leadership effectiveness.Explore the connection between spiritual discipline and strong leadership qualities.Learn strategies to overcome common leadership challenges by drawing from Jesus' example.Reflect on personal leadership journeys through guided discussion questions.Ideal for readers of Ruth Haley Barton and Henri Nouwen Formed to Lead is more than a book—it's a guide for aspiring leaders committed to following Jesus’ example. Join a community of like-minded individuals who are reshaping leadership through spirituality. Transform your approach and lead with grace, purpose, and wisdom by reading Formed to Lead.
168 pages, Paperback
Published August 26, 2025
7 people are currently reading
28 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
January 29, 2026
Summary: Through reflection on Luke 1-4, proposes a vision of leadership rooted in formation of character and spiritual discernment.
I’ve noticed that for the most part, those who read books on spiritual formation tend not to read books on leadership. Likewise, readers of leadership books are often not big readers of spiritual formation books. Jason Jensen believes there is ample evidence for the error of compartmentalizing these two things. Sometimes, it may be spiritually deep individuals who do not know how to lead others. But more often, it is evident in the moral failures of gifted and prominent Christian leaders. Rarely does their leadership failure for lack of leadership ability or training. More often it is a failure related to pride, a defect of character, or a lack of integrity, thinking lies and deception can accomplish the work of God.
Jensen has reflected deeply on Luke 1-4, the chapters that describe the formative period of Jesus life. He begins with Luke’s vision of leadership integrity, expressed in the Magnificat and the birth narrative. It is a vision of humility and bold faith in response to the Spirit’s initiative. Out of this emerges spiritual discernment. Thus, Jensen introduces us to themes that will recur in his study. Here we see those who surrounded Jesus reflecting these qualities
Having laid this groundwork, Jensen reflects on other formative experiences. In Luke 3, he considers how the word comes in the wilderness. He explores both our wilderness experiences, and how sought solitude to listen to God may form us. Sometimes, the “wilderness” of our context, particularly when we are out of our depth reveals blind spots and self-sufficiency. Wilderness humbles us, making us more aware of those on the margins.
The wilderness is also the site of Jesus baptism. Specifically, God affirms three important things in baptism: identity as God’s son or daughter, affection as the beloved of God, and God’s pleasure upon the baptized. For Jensen, baptism is also associated strongly with rest or sabbath. In sabbath, we cease doing to allow God to remind us of our identity, and his affection and pleasure upon us. Thus, we work and lead on other days out of this rest and restoration. Finally, for Jesus wilderness is the place of testing both in the abstinence from food and in resistance to the adversary’s warfare. His reflections upon and use of scripture confirms the power of the word that came in the wilderness, and the Spirit who filled him as he entered the wilderness. So it is that he emerges in the Spirit’s power to face illness, demons, and opposition.
Thus, the Spirit’s empowering of Jesus tested character results in spiritual authority. Jensen notes that spiritual authority is integrity, not charisma; love, not authoritarianism; and holiness, not pragmatism. As Jesus spoke from Isaiah 61:1-3, he shared prophecy that shaped his sense of call. Jensen likens calling for us to pilgrimage, in which we learn to attend to the markers along the way. We discern through repentance, intimacy with God, character formation, and the everyday journey of faith. He describes discernment as a “roundabout” way, commending the labyrinth as a practice in which we experience that “roundaboutness.”
Finally, leadership is about dependence and dying. Prayer is to leadership as breathing is to life. We both encounter God in devotion and commit those we lead to God in intercession. Leadership is also a rehearsal of our death. The shadow of death was upon the ministries of both John and Jesus. We live in the realization that we have already died in baptism and are not our own and our hope and consolation is in God alone.
Jensen interleaves his reflections with formational practices and group discussion guides. Rather than either an introspective book for individuals or a how to book of leadership, he gives us a book showing the ways God forms the character of Jesus in us so that he might work the ministry and mission of Jesus through us. This is leadership both rooted in godly character and empowered by God’s Spirit. It is leadership marked by integrity, love, and holiness. May God use this book to raise up such leaders!
_______________________
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for review.
I’ve noticed that for the most part, those who read books on spiritual formation tend not to read books on leadership. Likewise, readers of leadership books are often not big readers of spiritual formation books. Jason Jensen believes there is ample evidence for the error of compartmentalizing these two things. Sometimes, it may be spiritually deep individuals who do not know how to lead others. But more often, it is evident in the moral failures of gifted and prominent Christian leaders. Rarely does their leadership failure for lack of leadership ability or training. More often it is a failure related to pride, a defect of character, or a lack of integrity, thinking lies and deception can accomplish the work of God.
Jensen has reflected deeply on Luke 1-4, the chapters that describe the formative period of Jesus life. He begins with Luke’s vision of leadership integrity, expressed in the Magnificat and the birth narrative. It is a vision of humility and bold faith in response to the Spirit’s initiative. Out of this emerges spiritual discernment. Thus, Jensen introduces us to themes that will recur in his study. Here we see those who surrounded Jesus reflecting these qualities
Having laid this groundwork, Jensen reflects on other formative experiences. In Luke 3, he considers how the word comes in the wilderness. He explores both our wilderness experiences, and how sought solitude to listen to God may form us. Sometimes, the “wilderness” of our context, particularly when we are out of our depth reveals blind spots and self-sufficiency. Wilderness humbles us, making us more aware of those on the margins.
The wilderness is also the site of Jesus baptism. Specifically, God affirms three important things in baptism: identity as God’s son or daughter, affection as the beloved of God, and God’s pleasure upon the baptized. For Jensen, baptism is also associated strongly with rest or sabbath. In sabbath, we cease doing to allow God to remind us of our identity, and his affection and pleasure upon us. Thus, we work and lead on other days out of this rest and restoration. Finally, for Jesus wilderness is the place of testing both in the abstinence from food and in resistance to the adversary’s warfare. His reflections upon and use of scripture confirms the power of the word that came in the wilderness, and the Spirit who filled him as he entered the wilderness. So it is that he emerges in the Spirit’s power to face illness, demons, and opposition.
Thus, the Spirit’s empowering of Jesus tested character results in spiritual authority. Jensen notes that spiritual authority is integrity, not charisma; love, not authoritarianism; and holiness, not pragmatism. As Jesus spoke from Isaiah 61:1-3, he shared prophecy that shaped his sense of call. Jensen likens calling for us to pilgrimage, in which we learn to attend to the markers along the way. We discern through repentance, intimacy with God, character formation, and the everyday journey of faith. He describes discernment as a “roundabout” way, commending the labyrinth as a practice in which we experience that “roundaboutness.”
Finally, leadership is about dependence and dying. Prayer is to leadership as breathing is to life. We both encounter God in devotion and commit those we lead to God in intercession. Leadership is also a rehearsal of our death. The shadow of death was upon the ministries of both John and Jesus. We live in the realization that we have already died in baptism and are not our own and our hope and consolation is in God alone.
Jensen interleaves his reflections with formational practices and group discussion guides. Rather than either an introspective book for individuals or a how to book of leadership, he gives us a book showing the ways God forms the character of Jesus in us so that he might work the ministry and mission of Jesus through us. This is leadership both rooted in godly character and empowered by God’s Spirit. It is leadership marked by integrity, love, and holiness. May God use this book to raise up such leaders!
_______________________
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for review.
July 3, 2025
"Formed To Lead" by Jacob Jensen is a great read on the importance of character in leadership. Around 150 pages, the book is written from an admittingly Christian viewpoint. Some of the values and points mentioned on having a Christian approach to leadership include:
1. The values of God's kingdom differ from the world.
2. God's leaders do not conform to the world's expectations.
3. God often speaks most powerfully when we are weak and in a spiritual wilderness (unlike the hype and noise of this world).
The book then delves into particular Christian disciplines such as: prayer, sabbath keeping, character formation that often comes from "wilderness experiences", and other practices.
The book is easy to read and understand, flows smoothly from chapter to chapter, runs counter to the world's way of leadership and thinking, and is overall, a very good read. Recommended and will be read again in the future.
I was given a review copy by IVP in exchange for a fair review and appreciate the opportunity.
1. The values of God's kingdom differ from the world.
2. God's leaders do not conform to the world's expectations.
3. God often speaks most powerfully when we are weak and in a spiritual wilderness (unlike the hype and noise of this world).
The book then delves into particular Christian disciplines such as: prayer, sabbath keeping, character formation that often comes from "wilderness experiences", and other practices.
The book is easy to read and understand, flows smoothly from chapter to chapter, runs counter to the world's way of leadership and thinking, and is overall, a very good read. Recommended and will be read again in the future.
I was given a review copy by IVP in exchange for a fair review and appreciate the opportunity.
January 2, 2026
What a gift! Throughout the pages of this book Jason's character, wisdom, and love are felt. I've been slowly reading this book in this season as I think through my own leadership and it has been immensely helpful. I have also appreciated the attention to detail in the writing that sometimes took me off guard but was also delightful. For example in Chapter 5, entitled "Radical Rest" Jason write:
The word Radical in its most literal form means "from the root... The word has come to mean "extreme" or "revolutionary," but it got there through subterranean paths.
The use of subterranean when describing root made me smile. It is my prayer that the wisdom of this book would continue to have a radical impact in my life and the lives of many.
The word Radical in its most literal form means "from the root... The word has come to mean "extreme" or "revolutionary," but it got there through subterranean paths.
The use of subterranean when describing root made me smile. It is my prayer that the wisdom of this book would continue to have a radical impact in my life and the lives of many.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews