Book excerpt: Leaders are a gift. God has given leaders to the church to equip the saints for the work of ministry, building her up in the faith and knowledge of God (Ephesians 4:12). But how does the Bible define spiritual leadership? What characteristics are essential in leading biblically? And what is the ultimate goal? In this short essay, John Piper answers these questions by explaining the true marks of a spiritual leader. Saturated in Scripture, and loaded with practical illustrations, this booklet will be instructive and challenging for anyone in a position of Christian leadership, as well as for anyone aspiring to lead spiritually.