Every leader benefits from reading regularly. Even those who do not enjoy reading can benefit from disciplining themselves to read. The authors we read become our mentors. We can benefit from being mentored by those whom we may never meet and who do not know us personally, but who pour into our lives through their written words. Many of us do not have access to pastoral mentors; these authors can become that for us.
As you read, you will find certain authors that you connect with or who seem to speak into your context in a way that you find helpful. There are certain authors I have read at different times depending on the situations I was working in or issues I was facing. Choosing a book allows you the opportunity to tailor your mentoring experience to your specific needs.
Let me share four authors and some of their books I have personally benefited from.
Nelson Searcy is the – founder and lead pastor of The Journey Church in New York and author of a many church leadership books. Many of Searcy’s books are about a specific system that he has developed in his church. I found many of the principles to be adaptable to my situation even in a smaller rural church.
A few of his books that I have benefited from are:
- Fusion: Turning First-Time Guests into Fully – Engaged Members of Your Church
- Activate: An Entirely New Approach to Small Groups
- The Generosity Ladder: Your Next Step to Financial Peace
- Maximize: How To Develop Extravagant Givers In Your Church
Andy Stanley is the – founder and lead pastor of North Point Community Church in Alpharetta, Georgia and author of many books, mostly about church leadership. I especially appreciated his teaching on preaching and vision setting.
A few of his books I have benefited from are:
- Deep and Wide: Creating Churches Unchurched People Love to Attend
- Communicating for a Change: Seven Keys to Irresistible Communication
- Visioneering: God’s Blueprint for Developing and Maintaining Personal Vision
- Seven Practices of Effective Ministry
Preston Sprinkle is an – author, speaker, and teacher. I have especially appreciated his books addressing gender and same sex attraction, as well as other issues of today.
Here are a few of his books that have helped me understand the discussion around these issues better:
- Embodied: Transgender Identities, the Church, and What the Bible Has to Say
- People to Be Loved: Why Homosexuality Is Not Just an Issue
- Go: Returning Discipleship to the Front Lines of Faith
- Fight: A Christian Case for Non-Violence
Thom Rainer – is a writer, researcher, speaker, and founder of Church Answers, a website where many pastors connect and learn together about church ministry and the life of a pastor. His books are usually short but filled with practical advice about the church.
Here are a few of his books I have enjoyed:
- Becoming a Welcoming Church
- I Will: Nine Traits of the Outwardly Focused Christian
- Who Moved My Pulpit?: Leading Change in the Church
- Unchurched Next Door
I read a lot, but these are a couple of authors I have read often and enjoyed how they spoke into my life and ministry.
Invite leaders to mentor you as you read their books. Learn from their experience and expertise. Look for a couple of nuggets that apply directly to you as you read. And keep on learning.
Keep looking up,
Andy Wiebe
Elevate with Andy 