To each writer represented by a resource on my bookshelf—a profound thanks for the courage it takes to practice your art. I am grateful for the many books and authors on this list whose works have made a lasting impact on my life and ministry.
Here are several of my go-to favorites and how I have applied them in ministry. For more ideas see my Goodreads Interim By Design Bookshelf. As always, I am happy to hear your recommendations. Contact me.
Art, Creativity, & Hospitality
Bread & Wine a love letter to live around the table and recipes, by Shauna Niequist, Zonderzan, 2013. Book group selection, 2020.
Making Room: Recovering Hospitality as a Christian Tradition, by Christine D. Pohl, Eerdmans 1999. Frequent resource for preaching and teaching.
Walking on Water: a Reflection on Faith and Art, by Madeleine L’Engle, Waterbrook Press 1972. Blessed to have read this classic recently with a group of artists serving the church, 2019.
Church & Culture
Jesus and John Wayne: How White Evangelicals Corrupted a Faith and Fractured a Nation, by Kristin Kobes du Mez, Liveright Publishing Corp, 2021. Read twice, if you and I met recently its likely we talked about this book! The Eternal Current podcast with the author.
Canoeing the Mountains: Christian Leadership in Uncharted Territory, by Tod Bolsinger, IVP Books 2015. Timely resource for church-based leadership development, seminar 2017.
Love One Another: Becoming the Church Jesus Longs For, by Gerald L. Sitter, IVP Books 2008. See my sermon series blog post.
A Church Called TOV, Forming a Goodness Culture That Resists Abuses of Power and Promotes Healing, by Scot McKnight and Laura Barringer, Tyndale Publishing, 2020. Bought this audiobook when I heard this Spiritual Life and Leadership podcast.
Coaching and Colleagues
Entering Wonderland A Toolkit for Pastors New To A Church, by Robert A. Harris, Rowman & Littlefield, 2014.
Go Put Your Strengths to Work, 6 Powerful Steps to Achieve Outstanding Performance, by Marcus Buckingham, Free Press 2007. My top five strengths are Learner, Input, Strategic, Maximizer, and Achiever.
Discipleship and Devotionals
After You Believe: Why Christian Character Matters, by N.T. Wright, Harper One 2010.
Streams of Living Water: Celebrating the Great Traditions of Christian Faith, by Richard J. Foster (2001) Useful basis for church officer and staff leadership retreat, 2015.
He Walks Among Us: Encounters with Christ in a Broken World, by Richard and Renee Stearns, Thomas Nelson 2013. Delightful daily devotional for the mission-minded.
Governance
Reinventing Your Board: A Step-by-Step Guide to Implementing Policy Governance, by John Carver and Miriam Carver, Jossey-Bass 2006. A resource that has proven useful to me in numerous nonprofit and church board settings.
Leadership
Daring Greatly: How the Courage to be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent and Lead, by Brene Brown, Avery 2012. Admired researcher and thought leader.
The Emotionally Healthy Church: a Strategy for Discipleship that Actually Changes Lives, by Peter Scazzerro, Zondervan 2003.
Leadership without Easy Answers, by Ronald A. Heifetz, Belknap Press 1998. Indispensable.
Spiritual Leadership for Church Officers: A Handbook, by Joan S. Gray, Geneva Press 2009. Frequent resource for church officer nominating and training, 2015 and beyond.
Justice and Mission
Just Mercy A Story of Justice and Redemption, by Bryan Stevenson, 2014 book, 2019 movie.
Missional Church A Vision for the Sending of the Church in North America, edited by Darrell L. Guder, Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1998. A classic.
Social Justice Handbook: Small Steps for a Better World, by Mae Elise Cannon, IVP Books 2009.
Through My Enemy’s Eyes: Envisioning Reconciliation in Israel-Palestine, by Salim J. Munayer and Lisa Loden, Authentic 2014. A helpful model for facing entrenched conflict.
Vocation and Call
Called: The Crisis and Promise of Following Jesus Today, by Mark Labberton, IVP Books 2014. Useful in a recent church mission study and lenten sermon series.
Every Good Endeavor: Connecting Your Work to God’s Work, by Timothy Keller, Viking 2012.
Worship and Preaching
The Dangerous Act of Worship: Living God’s Call to Justice, by Mark Labberton, IVP Books 2007.
Feasting on the Word series, Various authors, years of publication.
Stilling the Storm: Worship and Congregational Leadership in Difficult Times, by Kathleen S. Smith, Rowman & Littlefield 2006.
A Burning in My Bones: The Authorized Biography of Eugene H. Peterson, Translator of the Message, by Winn Collier, 2021.
Up Next
Crossing the Unknown Sea: Work as a Pilgrimage of Identity, by David Whyte, Riverhead Books, 2001.
A Rhythm of Prayer: a Collection of Meditations for Renewal, edited by Sarah Bessey, Convergent, 2021.
What’s up next for you?……