By Joy Allmond
In many ways, church leaders are busier than ever as a result of the coronavirus quarantine. But there will be times—because we’re staying home—we have more time on our hands.
One way to be productive is to read books that develop us as leaders.
We asked Devin Maddox, B&H trade book publisher, for some reading recommendations for anyone who leads in a ministry context. Here’s what he suggested:
Leadership and the One Minute Manager: A Situational Approach to Leading Others by Ken Blanchard
“The framework in this little book is one I use on a daily basis for situational leadership.”
Leading Change by John Kotter
“This falls into the category of ‘classic.’ Now’s the time to catch up on the classics we’ve missed.”
Designed to Lead: The Church and Leadership Development by Eric Geiger and Kevin Peck
“I don’t know of a leadership book that is as good at leadership theology, providing frameworks, and some really tangible constructs for leading from anywhere in an organization/church.”
Adorning the Dark: Thoughts on Community, Calling, and the Mystery of Making by Andrew Peterson
“This book is the best encourager for anyone who ever has to make anything in their work (which is basically everybody).
Women of the Word: How to Study the Bible with Both Our Hearts and Our Minds by Jen Wilkin
“This is my favorite primer for beginning to study the Bible for men as well as women.”
Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown
“I just can’t get away from how helpful this book is at forcing me to clarify priorities.”
The Accidental Creative: How to Be Brilliant at a Moment’s Notice by Todd Henry
“I manage my schedule not only in terms of time, but also energy, because of this helpful resource.”
Renewing Minds: Serving Church and Society Through Christian Higher Education by David S. Dockery
“Many people could easily mistake this as a manifesto for Christian colleges, but I would characterize it as a theology of how to teach people to think.”
Institutional Intelligence: How to Build an Effective Organization by Gordon T. Smith
“This should be required reading for anybody who has to work with other people.”
Every Good Endeavor: Connecting Your Work to God’s Work by Timothy Keller
“We are reading this book as a team, and it’s a helpful foundation for a self-examined life.”
Books to read with your congregation
As churches across the nation are temporarily halting in-person worship gatherings and on-campus ministry activities in response to the coronavirus outbreak, church leaders are scrambling to figure out how to maintain continuity in their ministries and keep their congregations on the same page.
B&H Publishing is providing a low-cost solution to ministry problems that result from COVID-19 social distancing and quarantines. Focusing on reading books as a way to stay connected, B&H launched an initiative: “Stay on the same page, by reading the same pages.”
Through “Stay on the same page” B&H offers select titles for congregations and small groups to read together at a bulk price of $5 each, along with free, online discussion guides.
These free discussion guides are ideal for groups of 10 or fewer as recommended by the U.S. government, groups that meet virtually, or even individuals for self-reflection.
More than 30 titles are offered at a discount bulk price, including:
- Not Forsaken: Finding Freedom as Sons and Daughters of a Perfect Father, by Louis Giglio
- Sing! How Worship Transforms Your Life, Family, and Church, by Keith and Kristyn Getty
- I Am Going, by Daniel L. Akin and Bruce Riley Ashford
- Turning Everyday Conversations into Gospel Conversations, by Jimmy Scroggins and Steve Wright
- I am a Church Member: Discovering the Attitude that Makes the Difference, by Thom S. Rainer
Visit the “Stay on the same page” website for a more exhaustive list of discounted books and free digital resources.
JOY ALLMOND (@JoyAllmond) is managing editor of Facts & Trends.
