Many know from experience that there isn’t a one-size-fits-all road map for any leadership journey. James Sanft, CEO and president of the Christian nonprofit Concordia Plan Services, uses his twenty-five years of executive experience to share his reflections along his leadership journey in his new book Leading by Faith: Practical Insights for Christian Leaders. Sanft uses his writing and reflections as a means of encouraging others in their unique leadership paths. The new book from Concordia Publishing House is available in May 2024.

“Leadership is a journey,” writes Sanft. “It is not a vacation trip, that is for sure. It is not a quest with some holy grail to be grasped. There is no well-defined destination or end state for your journey. . . . And so, we go through life walking by faith, not by sight. As Christian leaders, we likewise lead by faith, not by sight.”

Throughout the book, Sanft encourages leaders to forge their own paths and to let successes, hard lessons, and reflections on faith inform their journeys. Using personal stories and anecdotes, as well as advice from lessons learned throughout his decades of varied leadership positions, Sanft shares a treasure trove of insights for those who find themselves in a Christian leadership role.

“Jim Sanft has written the definitive how-to leadership manual for both emerging and experienced leaders within our church, which is all of us,” says Dr. Kurt Senske, author of The CEO and the Board. “Through the telling of his own leadership story, Sanft adroitly allows the reader to unpack and enhance his or her own leadership journey. Sanft educates on how God has uniquely called and equipped each of us and provides a road map to assist us as we daily strive to serve those He has placed in our path.”

Visit cph.org/leadingbyfaith for more information. Contact Erica Sontag to schedule an interview with the author.

Praise for Leading by Faith

Jim delivers what he promises—a personal leadership journey—that skillfully weaves his vibrant faith and remarkable expertise into a stimulating, practical, and invaluable book. There is room for this hands-on leadership book in your library if you are an emerging leader seeking inspiration, a seasoned leader searching for reflection, an inquisitive leader desiring know-how, or a faithful follower craving to encourage the leaders around you. As a friend for nearly three decades, this is the real and vintage Jim Sanft!

-Rev. Dr. Brian L. Friedrich, president, Concordia University, St. Paul

Jim does a great job of making a practical application to leadership from the eyes of a veteran leader. He reminds us all, especially leaders, that we “walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7), a principle all Christian leaders must remember and implement. Jim keeps our eyes focused on Christ and His will.

-Rev. Dr. Jamison J. Hardy, president and bishop, English District, LCMS

Jim leads and writes with the heart of Jesus. Humility, kindness, and leadership clarity for Kingdom-expanding purposes jumps off every page of Leading by Faith. Jim’s chapter on the power of partnership should be read and integrated into the life of every leader in Christ’s church, including me! Enjoy this engaging and highly applicable read!

-Pastor Tim Ahlman, leader of the Unite Leadership Collective

Jim Sanft offers a personal journey of leadership with honest and experienced reflections from his own life. Leading by Faith has relatable stories that embody deep leadership insights and is a strong witness to Jim’s faith values, which have shaped his leadership style. His journey inspires readers to listen and learn as they navigate their own leadership journey, enriched by their faith. Seasoned with pearls from the Scriptures, Leading by Faith is filled with the humble wisdom and practical insights from a qualified leader, coach, and mentor. It is a wonderful resource for all Christian leaders.

-Rev. Dr. Gregory S. Walton, president emeritus, LCMS Florida-Georgia District; vice president, Grace Place Wellness, Lutheran Church Extension Fund

Jim Sanft is a key leader of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod and a true gift to the church and a credit to his family. He humbly portrays his leadership journey and helps his reader consider new thoughts, challenge old premises, and follow the course God has laid out. Jim beautifully uses Scripture to make his points and leads his reader to think first through the lens of the Gospel and then to the leadership journey. I’m grateful to recommend this book, and I think Jim has done great work. No question his father would be so proud of Jim’s work!

-Rev. Dr. Timothy M. Klinkenberg, senior pastor, St. John’s Lutheran Church, Orange, California

As a Concordia Plan Services board member, I can testify that Jim Sanft is the exemplar of Christian leadership. Each page of his book will validate God’s unique plan for his journey, and it will motivate yours. You will be blessed by his testimony and his genuine humility. God owns it all, and we are but stewards, driven by faith to deliver excellent outcomes.

-Jon Boeche, president and owner, ChillWorks, Inc., Seminole, Florida

Leading by Faith is a must-read for Christian leaders! It not only reveals the secret of successful leadership but also illustrates how it can be applied to your own leadership journey. I’ve had the genuine privilege of witnessing how Jim Sanft has consistently leaned on his faith in God and Jesus over the past twelve years while serving on the Concordia Plan Services board. In this book, Jim succinctly outlines how he has done it while drawing insightful parallels to Scripture.

-Robert P. Lesko, partner, Pierson Ferdinand, LLP

In Leading by Faith, Jim highlights the importance of our faith in our individual leadership journeys, providing great insights and personal experiences that transcend any business environment. It’s a wonderful read that will leave you with multiple nuggets to apply to your leadership faith walk.

-Richard Robertson, retired president and CEO, Lutheran Church Extension Fund

About the Author

James F. Sanft has more than twenty-five years of executive leadership experience, including as CEO of Concordia Plan Services, a complex financial services non-profit agency of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. He led this organization through the Global Financial Crisis of 2008-2009 as well as the global COVID-19 pandemic. Throughout his career at CPS, Sanft has developed a high-performing team that has been recognized both locally and nationally. He is an established leader among his colleagues from other denominations and serves as chair of the Church Alliance, an organization that advocates for employee benefits for faith leaders and their families. Away from the office, Jim is a devoted husband, father, and grandfather.