50 Books that Church Leaders Should Read

(January 2007)

¨ Listed in alphabetical order by author, not priority!

¨ Apologies to several quality authors who probably should be in this list but either I haven’t read their work or I forgot it when it came to writing this list

¨ I have resisted the urge to include a group of seminal books and authors that would fall under a more general theological heading (eg, Barth, Merton, Kung, Kiekegaard, Solzhenitsyn, etc.)

¨ This list is qualified by its title, Books that Church Leaders should Read. There are many excellent books that were knocked off the list because of this qualifier!

¨ The Bible is not included. It comes before these 50!

1. Anderson, Ray. An Emergent Theology for Emerging Churches. Downers Grove: IVP, 2006. At last! A theologically reflective and yet encouraging book from an old bloke that serves as a guide for emerging leaders as they navigate trends and impulses.

2. Bass, Dorothy C. Practicing our Faith: A way of life for a Searching People. San-Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 1997. An exploration of spiritual practices that could be creatively and meaningfully employed in the formation of God’s people in local congregations which could revolutionize the church that dared!

3. Bauman, Zygmunt. In Search of Politics. California: Stanford University Press, 1999. There are several books by this distinguished sociologist that I could suggest but I will only choose one of his and this is it! A wonderful discussion around the individual, institutions and human dignity. Others to consider include: Community: Seeking Safety in an Insecure World. Globalisation: The Human Consequences. Liquid Community. Liquid Modernity. Liquid Love. The Individualized Society.

4. Bolsinger, Tod. It Takes a Church to Raise a Christian. Grand Rapids: Brazos, 2004. A refreshing exploration of the connection between the Social Trinity and what the church is meant to be.

5. Bosch, David J. Transforming Mission: Paradigm Shifts in Theology of Mission. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis, 1991. A seminal book on mission. Rarely does one volume cover a subject in any field so comprehensively and challengingly. Written not long before Bosch’s tragic death, this is a life’s work, importantly of someone who lived outside of North America.

6. Brueggemann, Walter. Deep Memory Exuberant Hope: Contested Truth in a Post-Christian World. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2000. Brueggemann relates the Old Testament to modern culture in a prophetic nature. Of the many books he has produced here are a couple of extras to start with: Cadences of Hope: Preaching among Exiles & Finally Comes the Poet: Daring Speech for Proclamation.

7. Budde, Michael. Magic Kingdom of God: Christianity and Global Culture Industries. Westview Press, 1998. A professor of Political Science at DePaul University and active leader within the Ecclesia Project Budde is one of the few thinkers who is actively trying to do theology in context. This great example of hermeneutics well done.

8. Clapp, Rodney. A Peculiar People: The Church as Culture in a Post-Christian Society. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1996. A prophetic book that explores why Christians feel so impotent and what we should do about it.

9. Collins, Jim. Good to Great: Why some companies make the leap and others don’t. London: Random House, 2001. A wonderful business book that traces why some companies do so well compared to others. These principles are very applicable to the not-for-profit sector.

10. Cowdell, Scott. God’s Next Big Thing: Discovering the Church of the Future: Mulgrave: John Garratt Publishing, 2004. The fact is that there isn’t a lot of published material written expressly for the Australian context. Cowdell navigates with skill a voluminous subject matter in a quest for meaningful ways forward for the church in Australian culture.

11. Cray, Graham et al. The Mission Shaped Church: Church Planting and Fresh Expressions of Church in a Changing Context. London: Church House Publishing, 2004. A really practical and thoroughly researched exploration of what new and missional churches might look like and how established churches can participate.

12. Dulles, Avery. Models of the Church, (Rev Ed.) New York: Doubleday, 1987. A wonderful introduction to ecclesiology by a renowned theologian and Catholic Cardinal.

13. Fowl, Stephen E. & Jones, Gregory L. Reading in Communion: Scripture and ethics in Christian Life. Eugene, Or: Wipf and Stock Publishers, 1998. I wonder is there is a better guide for doing hermeneutics through the lens of the congregation as we read scripture together.

14. Giddens, Anthony. Runaway World: How Globalization is Reshaping Our Lives. New York: Routledge, 2002. Giddens is the Director of London School of Economics and has influenced a generation of leaders and politicians particularly on globalisation, market forces and ethics.

15. Guder, Darrell. and Lois Barrett, eds. Missional Church: A Vision for the Sending of the Church in North America. Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1998. A seminal book in the Gospel and our Culture Network (GOCN) this ‘conversation’ between six eminent missiologists provides a well developed ecclesiology and missiology for the Western church. Although suited to North America there is plenty here for the Australian context.

16. Hauerwas, Stanley and Willimon, William H. Resident Aliens: A Provocative Christian Assessment of Culture and Ministry for People who know that Something is Wrong. Nashville: Abindgon, 1989. An engagement between the Gospel and Culture and how God’s people should live. See also: A Community of Character, After Christendom & Where Resident Aliens Live.

17. Heifetz, Ronald A. and Marty Linsky. Leadership on the Line: Staying Alive Through the Dangers of Leading. Harvard: Harvard Business School Press, 2002. A mature guide to leadership and transition in an organization.

18. Inchausti, Robert. Subversive Orthodoxy: Outlaws, revolutionaries and other Christians in disguise. Grand Rapids: Brazos, 2005. Explores the important leadership that those whose vocation outside of the church can bring to the witness and guidance of God’s people.

19. Johnson, Luke Timothy. Scripture & Discernment: Decision Making in the Church. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1983. LT Johnson has many notable publications however this little book is worth the read if not just for chapter 6 on discernment in church leadership.

20. Johnson, Steven. Emergence: The Connected Lives of Ants, Brains, Cities, and Software. New York: Simon & Schuster, 2002. There is a host of literature emerging that traces the applications that can be learned through discoveries in disciplines like the biological sciences, chaos theory and biological systems. This is one of the best.

21. Karkkainen, Veli-Matti. An Introduction to Ecclesiology: Ecumenical, Historical and Global Perspectives. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2002. One of the best comparative guides to ecclesiology. Karkkainen is able to comprehensively introduce the reader to the subject as well as the context.

22. Keifert, Patrick R. Welcoming the Stranger: A Public Theology of Worship and Evangelism. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1992. Keifert is a professor of both theology and law. His ability to locate modern expressions in their historical roots makes this book well worth the read.

23. Krieder, Alan. The Change of Conversion and the Origin of Christendom. Christian Mission and Modern Culture, Alan Neely, H. Wayne Pipkin & Wilbert Shenk (eds), Harrisburg: Trinity Press International, 1999. I know of few books of such small size that contain such a potent message! Krieder explores the rapid growth of the early church and shows the importance of catechetical processes (Adult Christian Education) for the sake of the growth and quality of the church.

24. Law, Eric. The Wolf Shall Dwell with the Lamb: A Spirituality for Leadership in a Multicultural Community. St. Louis: Chalice Press, 1993. A necessary guide for any church seeking to embrace people of differing racial backgrounds.

25. Linthicum, Robert. Transforming Power: Biblical Strategies for Making a Difference in Your Community. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2003. Linthicum has worked with agencies like World Vision in the area of community development and this book engages with this important area for churches, especially in regards to urban areas.

26. McCarthy, David. The Good Life: Genuine Christianity for Middle Class. Grand Rapids: Brazos Press, 2004. There is a collective of Christian writers, academics and theologians who seem to despise the middle-class and love to spit out of their glass-towers at the ‘masses’. Others, like McCarthy creatively engage with this reality for the majority of us and seek to serve the church as it incarnates amongst the middle-class.

27. McLaren, Brian. A New Kind of Christian. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 2001. Like some other authors in this list I am only listing one book when I could list more. McLaren is a voice to a generation of exiles from the church who writes with the benefit of great understanding of literature and care for people. This is the first book in a trilogy.

28. Moltmann, Jürgen. Theology of Hope: On the ground and the implications of a Christian Eschatology. ET: London: SCM Press, 1967. Where to start with Moltmann? An immensely influential theologian of the twentieth century. Thoughtful, measured and also inspiring. See also (among others): The Crucified God: The Cross of Christ as the foundation and criticism of Christian Theology, The Trinity and the Kingdom: The Doctrine of God & In the end – The beginning: The Life of Hope.

29. Murphy, Debra Dean. Teaching that Transforms: Worship as the Heart of Christian Education. Grand Rapids: Brazos Press, 2004. A thoughtful reflection on why we gather and what we should be teaching when we do. Read reflectively for your context!

30. Niebuhr H. Richard, Christ and Culture, New York: New York, 1951. I struggled as to whether to include this here because it is dated now in some of its assumptions but decided to include it because of its ongoing influence.

31. Newbigin, Lesslie. Foolishness to the Greeks: The Gospel and Western Culture. London: SPCK, 1986. Missionary, Methodist Bishop, Theologian and Pastor, Newbigin’s contribution around the question, ‘Can the West be converted?’ is foundational terrain for pastors and missionaries within Western culture today. See also: The Open Secret: An Introduction to the Theology of Mission. A Word in Season: Perspectives on Christian World Missions. The Gospel in a Pluralist Society. The Other Side of 1984.

32. Palmer, Palmer, J. Let your Life Speak: Listening for the Voice of Vocation. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 2000. This is one of those rare books that contains so much at so many levels. Useful for those seeking meaning in the ‘daily grind’ and for those who find themselves at a ‘cross-road’. See also: To Know as we are Known: Education as a Spiritual Journey & The Active Life: A Spirituality of Work, Creativity and Caring.

33. Pohl, Christine, D. Making Room: Recovering Hospitality as a Christian Tradition. Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1999. A great exploration of (what was) a basic Christian practice that is often swept aside in the rush of modern life and church imagination.

34. Peterson, Eugene. Working the Angles: The Shape of Pastoral Integrity. Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1987. A Pastor to pastors, Peterson challenges and inspires towards the genuine purposes of this vocation.

35. Polanyi, Michael. Personal Knowledge: Towards a Post-Critical Philosophy. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1974. One of the great twentieth century intellectuals (and also a companion of Lesslie Newbigin). Polanyi brings great depth of understanding as to how we learn and pass on traditions, narratives and skills (amongst other things!).

36. Reno, Russell R. In the Ruins of the Church: Sustaining Faith in an Age of Diminished Christianity. Grand Rapids: Brazos Press, 2002. Brazos Press are a wonderful gift to the church with a recent string of thoughtful publications connecting theology and daily life. Reno explores the nature of faith and practice in a Post-Christian world.

37. Rogers, Everett M. The Diffusion of Innovations. (4th Ed), New York: The Free Press, 1995. Rogers uses many case studies to explore how innovations are adopted and what often creates the ‘tipping-point’ in organizational life.

38. Roxburgh, Alan J. The Sky is Falling: Leaders Lost in Transition. St. Paul, Minnesota: ACI Publishing, 2005. A carefully written account of trends in modern church life between those who stay in the institutional (for want of a more meaningful word) church and those who jump into what is known as the emerging church. See also: Reaching a New Generation: Strategies for Tomorrow’s Church, The Missional Leader: Equipping Your Church to Reach a Changing World, & The Missionary Congregation, Leadership, and Liminality.

39. Schreiter, Robert. Constructing Local Theologies. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 1985. A very useful guide through many of the social science tools available as the local pastor does local theology.

40. Sedmak, Clemmons. Doing Local Theology: A Guide for Artisans of a New Humanity. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 2002. A colorful and thoughtful collection of 50 theses for doing local theology.

41. Senge, Peter. The Fifth Discipline: The Art and Practice of the Learning Organization. Sydney: Random House Press, 1992. One of the great systems books that explores the patterns of dysfunction and repetition in the life of an organization. Essential reading for the church leader.

42. Sennett, Richard. The Conscience of the Eye: The Design and Social Life of Cities. New York: W.W. Norton and Company, 1990. As Sennett walks around New York and deconstructs the intellectual and philosophical reasons for its existence the reader is invited into the architecture, design and function of (not just this) cities and communities.

43. Sider, Ronald J., et al. Churches that Make a Difference: Reaching your Community with Good News and Good Works. Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 2002. A really good book tracing case studies of churches that are demonstrating the Kingdom’s imminence practically.

44. Tacey, David. The Spirituality Revolution: The emergence of contemporary spirituality. Sydney: HarperCollins, 2003. A lecturer at LaTrobe University, Tacey pursues his research in every class as he listens to student’s engagement with the transcendent. Vital reading in understanding the emerging generation of young Australian’s spirituality.

45. Toulmin, Stephen. Cosmopolis: The Hidden Agenda of Modernity. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1992. Essential reading if you want to understand what drives our worldviews. One of the best books I have found in unpacking the deep effects of modernity on Western culture. Written with depth and yet engaging narrative insight.

46. Van Gelder, Craig. The Essence of the Church: A Community Created by the Spirit. Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 2002. Van Gelder is a key leader within the GOCN and develops a missional ecclesiology here.

47. Wheatley, Margaret J. Leadership and the New Science: Discovering Order in a Chaotic World. Berrett Koehler,1999. A wonderful guide for the ‘non-scientist’ that opens metaphors and imaginations for new ways of life-giving leadership.

48. Willard, Dallas. The Divine Conspiracy: Rediscovering our hidden life in God. London: HarperCollins, 1998. One of the most accessible and best books into the nature of Jesus, God and the Gospel by a Professor of Philosophy at the University of Southern California. You can read this one once a year for ten years and still find nuggets!

49. Wright, N.T. Christian Origins and the Question of God. (Vols 1-3) Vol 1: The New Testament and the People of God. Vol 2: Jesus and the Victory of God. Vol 3: The Resurrection and the Son of God. SPCK/Fortress. The first three of an eventual five volume collection. Wright is also the Bishop of Durham in his spare time! A masterful theologian and teacher who can write for many audiences. See also: Evil and the Justice of God, The Last Word: Beyond the Bible Wars to a new understanding of the authority of Scripture & Paul, in Fresh Perspective.

50. Yoder, John Howard, The Politics of Jesus. Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1972. When you read many Christian leaders’ work, Yoder is one of the formative names that you keep hearing them refer to. His ability was certainly intellectual but also the ability to comprehend the connections between the gospel and the culture. See also The Royal Priesthood: Essays Ecclesiastical and Ecumenical & Body Politics: Five Practices of the Christian Community before the Watching World.

Andrew Menzies

http://www.missionaldiatribe.blogspot.com