Wondering what books to read next? Leadership Journal polled more than 100 Pastors and Leaders to come up with their list of the best books in two categories: The Leader’s Outer Life and the Leader’s Inner Life. Here they are:
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Why We Love the Church: In Praise of Institutions and Organized Religion
By Kevin DeYoung & Ted Kluck Whether you’re committed, disgruntled, hesitant, or disconnected from the body of Christ, this passionate resource will help you renew your love for the church in all its real-life guts, gaffes, and glory. DeYoung and Kluck’s valuable resource provides a solid reminder of the biblical mandate to participate in our local congregations. Relevant and encouraging! 224 pages, softcover from Moody. |
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The Next Evangelicalism: Freeing the Church from Western Cultural Captivity
By Soong-Chan Rah * A bold vision for the future of North American evangelicalism! Urging the Western church to escape the captivity of individualism, consumerism, and racism, Rah provides a keen analysis of the limitations of American evangelicalism and offers alternative models for congregational renewal, including those drawn from African American, Native American, immigrant, and second-generation Christian communities. 180 pages, softcover from InterVarsity. |
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The Monkey and the Fish: Liquid Leadership for a Third-Culture Church
By Dave Gibbons |
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Lost and Found: The Younger Unchurched and the Churches That Reach Them
By Ed Stetzer, Richie Stanley & Jason Hayes Lost and Found presents comprehensive research about and in-depth interviews with young men and women ages twenty-five to thirty-four who have never really been churched. The findings, such as how open this generation is to spiritual things, will surprise church-based readers and break some long established assumptions and opinions. Expert church culture author Ed Stetzer (Breaking the Missional Code) also examines the congregations that are effectively reaching the younger unchurched and how they are doing it. Any church that is concerned about outreach to this generation will discover principles and methodologies to learn from and adapt into their own ministry. |
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Longing for God: Seven Paths of Christian Devotion
By Richard J. Foster & Gayle D. Beebe Is your soul yearning to taste God’s goodness? Offering a classical model of spiritual formation, Foster and Beebe introduce you to seven devotional paths illustrated by Thomas Merton, Blaise Pascal, Julian of Norwich, John Wesley, and other key Christian figures. Discover how to experience the spiritual life as journey, deepen your friendship with Jesus, and more. 350 pages, hardcover from InterVarsity. |
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Leading on Empty: Discover the Secrets to Renewing Your Energy and Strengthening Your Passion to Serve
By Wayne Cordeiro Learn from veteran leader Wayne Cordeiro how to replenish yourself from a state of exhaustion in leadership, or, better yet, how to avoid the trap of burnout altogether. Find out how to lead when you just don’t feel like you can do it any longer, and how to navigate the helm of leadership when you’ve lost your spiritual bearings. |
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Knowing Christ Today: Why We Can Trust Spiritual Knowledge
By Dallas Willard In the tradition of Mere Christianity, author and Renovare staff member Dallas Willard, presents a rational case for the Christian faith in our day. In Knowing Christ Today, he argues that spiritual truths are as a reliable body of knowledge as philosophy or science and form a trustworthy source of wisdom. Each chapter includes discussion questions for group study. |
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Deep Church: A Third Way Beyond Emerging and Traditional
By Jim Belcher Deep Church, author Jim Belcher has been both an insider and an outsider to the Emerging Church movement. Now he brings the best insights of all sides to forge a third way. With appreciative critique, he explores the proposals of the emerging church leaders and provides constructive models of what this alternate deep church looks like – a missional church committed to both tradition and culture, valuing innovation in worship, arts, and community but also creeds and confessions. Plumb the depths of Christianity in a way that neither rejects our postmodern context nor capitulates to it. Instead of veering to the left or right, go beyond the extremes and go-deep. |
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A Praying Life
By Paul Miller Miller offers a practical real-life approach to prayer for busy families! His honest down-to-earth advice shows you how to practice praying in the midst of daily routine. You’ll learn to pray like a child, live your Father’s story, understand unanswered petitions, and more. Includes tips on using tools such as prayer cards and journaling. 272 pages, softcover from NavPress. |
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Love Is an Orientation: Elevating the Conversation with the Gay Community
By Andrew Marin Marin was stunned when three of his friends came out of the closet. How could he reconcile members of the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered community to his faith? Attempting to wrestle with that, he provides an inside look at the gay community and offers strategies to build bridges between GBLT people, Christians—and the gospel |