Church leaders were asked, “Besides the Bible, what’s one book every church leader should have on their shelf?” Here’s what we heard.
By Joy Allmond
On social media, we asked the question, “Besides the Bible—and your own book—what’s one book every church leader should have on their shelf?”
Here’s a taste of the feedback we received from well-known pastors, Bible teachers, and church leaders.
Derwin Gray: founding and lead pastor of Transformation Church in Indian Land, South Carolina
Jesus: A Theography, by Leonard Sweet and Frank Viola
“Best book on the person of Jesus I’ve ever read.”
Matt Chandler: lead pastor of The Village Church in Flower Mound, Texas
The Christian Ministry, by Charles Bridges
“It’s a beautiful blend of heart and head.”
Jen Wilkin: Bible teacher, author, and speaker in the Dallas, Texas, area
The Knowledge of the Holy, by A.W. Tozer
“I’ve never met a leader who wasn’t in need of a transcendent view of God.”
Jimmy Scroggins: lead pastor of Family Church in West Palm Beach, Florida
The God Who Is There, by Francis Schaeffer
“That book helped me develop and maintain a Christian worldview that makes sense.”
Trillia Newbell: author and acquisitions director at Moody Publishing
From Every People and Nation: A Biblical Theology of Race, by J. Daniel Hays
“I simply don’t think it’s taught or learned and this might be a good theological book for church leaders to dive into this important topic that affects the mission of the church.”
Stephen Rummage: senior pastor of Quail Springs Baptist Church in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
A Preacher’s Portrait: Five New Testament Word Studies, by John R.W. Stott
“Because a faithful preacher is all I’ve ever wanted to be.”
Eric Mason: pastor and founder of Epiphany Fellowship in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
The Black Church in the African American Experience, by C. Eric Lincoln
“It’s a shocking, yet enlightening, church history most Christians don’t have on their radar! It illustrates a narrative we all need to learn from. We have learned only one church history narrative in evangelicalism.”
Corey Brooks: pastor of New Beginnings Church in Chicago, Illinois
Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy, by Eric Metaxas
“It’s a story of incredible moral courage in the face of great evil. One of the missing characteristics of leaders today is moral courage. He (Bonhoeffer) also displayed a deep conviction and loyalty to Christ. He was fully submitted to no one and nothing except God and His Word.”
Missie Branch: assistant dean of students to women at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, North Carolina
Spiritual Leadership, by J. Oswald Sanders
“Great book for leaders to be both challenged and encouraged. I also agree with Jen Wilkin that The Knowledge of the Holy is a great choice.”
Clint Pressley: senior pastor of Hickory Grove Baptist Church in Charlotte, North Carolina
Holiness, by J.C. Ryle
“If I don’t have personal holiness, my ministry is a mouthful of ashes. This book is a fire hose of conviction.”
Karen Swallow Prior: author and professor of English and literature
Amusing Ourselves to Death, by Neil Postman
“It’s a primer for a post-literate age on the way technology forms us, based on Marshall McLuhan’s premise that the medium is the message. One need not adopt Postman’s pessimism in whole to receive the import of his message. Although outdated in that it was written in the age of television and doesn’t take account of the internet and social media, Postman shows the reader how form—not just content—matters in politics, communication, education, and worship.”
Here are a few more books suggested by readers on social media:
- Spiritual Leadership, by Henry Blackaby and Richard Blackaby
- Power Through Prayer, by E.M. Bounds
- The Painful Side of Leadership, by Jeff Iorg
- Holiness of God, by R.C. Sproul
Joy Allmond
Joy is the editorial chief of staff at Christianity Today and former managing editor of Lifeway Research.
