Soul Tending: Leadership for Strategic Human Flourishing

Virgil Tanner

Book cover for Soul Tending: Leadership for Strategic Human Flourishing
Book cover for Soul Tending: Leadership for Strategic Human Flourishing

Soul Tending: Leadership for Strategic Human Flourishing

Soul Tending: Leadership for Strategic Human Flourishing

Virgil Tanner

Member Benefits

  • 30% Off All Books - Savings that support storytellers, not stock prices.
  • Fight Book Bans - Every membership sends a book to LGBTQ+ youth in affected states.
Member Book Price
$24.99 $17.49
Non-Member Book Price $24.99

An annual membership will be billed at $48/year.

Discount applies to first-time members only. Already a member? Log in here.

View full details

Description

Learn to Foster Glory in Those You Lead
What does it mean to lead with wisdom, integrity, and purpose? In Soul Tending, Virgil Tanner offers a fresh approach to leadership that goes beyond strategy and skill. At its core, leadership is about recognizing and fostering the glory that God has placed in you and in those you lead. No one begins their leadership journey with all the necessary skills and dispositions, but it is possible to learn them. With a practical framework rooted in biblical wisdom, this book offers a proven pathway that will equip you to steward your gifts and the people who have been entrusted to you.
Soul Tending is a training manual to help you develop holistically as a leader and empower others to discover how to flourish in Jesus. Whether you are an experienced leader or just beginning your journey, this book provides tools to build strong, thriving teams and draw out the God-given potential in those you serve.

About the Author

Virgil Tanner grew up in the Midwest, pastored for nine years in the Bible belt, served with his family and a disciple-making team for eight years in Central Asia, served in regional leadership from Spain for five years, and now works with his family and community to catalyze and cultivate flourishing missional ecosystems all over the world. Virgil holds a bachelor's degree in biology, master's degrees in religion and in education, and is completing his EdD in leadership and spiritual formation. Virgil is a trained spiritual director and certified cultural intelligence facilitator. His deep desire is to love with force and skill, and to see people and communities equipped with strength and beauty, for God's glory, their deep joy, and the world's highest good.

Critical Reviews

A few years ago, I was privileged to attend the graduation ceremony for a class of Navy SEALs. One statement made by the Commanding Officer in his address to the class was: "Ninety percent of the situations you face, you will not have trained for." The CO's statement implied, "We train you in such a way that, whatever you face, you will be ready to handle it." This is what comes to mind as I interact with the principles and process found in Soul Tending. They provide a framework for thriving amid pain and chaos-both as an individual and in community. Though I wish these principles had been taught when we were beginning our cross-cultural ministry, it is because of those experiences of life and ministry that this book carries much greater weight for me now. I highly recommend this book!

-Steve Coffey, Global Ministries Pastor

Virgil Tanner's Soul Tending is more than a how-to guide to live well and lead wisely. He stresses that a well-rounded personal development plan helps global workers thrive. But what makes this book different is it also considers the value of community at the same time. Tanner's emphasis on "whole-souled" service does not stand alone. That, along with a growing self-awareness, develops more proactive and less reactive leaders. Tanner encourages readers to lead with a towel over their shoulder. He challenges us to truly see one another which promotes a flourishing community. After one read-through, I wanted to go through it again with others. By using the practices in this book, we can become healthier individuals and a more robust community.

-Sue Eenigenburg, Author, mentor, global worker

It's rare you find a book that draws from orthodox theology and sound research and then makes it readily accessible in practical, concrete steps. I've been leading teams for over twenty years, and although I've employed a few of these concepts at different times, this book gives me a comprehensive and easy-to-follow system for shepherding myself and my staff in loving, straightforward ways. Read this book and enjoy a healthier, more anti-fragile you-alongside those you lead and serve.

-Alex Galloway, PsyD, SentWell

Publishing Information

Publisher: William Carey Publishing
Pub date: 2025-06-17
Length: 270 pages

The Allstora Membership

Membership Perks:

  • Save 30% on all online store purchases
  • Exclusive access to author's content
  • You pay less, but authors still earn double

Membership Terms:

First Month: $0.00
Monthly price: $5.00
  • To access membership discount simply log in and add to cart, discount applied automatically.
  • One month free trial, cancel anytime. Membership renews on the 15th of each month.