Pastors' Forum

Question:

Book Recommendation

Is there a particular book or two that you have read in the last year that has significantly impacted you personally or sharpened your pastoral leadership? What is the title (or titles), and how did the book (or books) impact you?

Responses

Pastor Sam Smucker – Lancaster, PA

I am reading a book called Soul Keeping by John Ortberg. This book is all about taking of the internal part of our lives. I don’t agree with everything in the book, but it challenges the reader to take more of an interest in our internal being.

Also, I am reading The Last Arrow by Erwin McManus. This book is all about passionately completing your life call and mission and leaving a lasting godly legacy.

Pastor Kevin Berry – Lansing, MI

As we look at the health of our ministers and teams, and equip them for going the distance and raising up the next generation of leaders, these are three books I recommend:

The Advantage, by Patrick Lencioni

Discover why organizational health trumps everything else in business.

iGen, by Jean M. Twenge, PhD

Discover why today’s super-connected kids are growing up less rebellious, more tolerant, less happy—and completely unprepared for adulthood.

The Power of Moments, by Chip Heath and Dan Heath

Discover why certain experiences have extraordinary impact.

Pastor Rick Renner – Moscow, Russia

Yes, I heartily recommend Tony Cooke’s new book called Miracles and the Supernatural Throughout Church History. Seriously, it will put to rest ANY thoughts that the age of miracles ceased with the age of the apostles. It is not only well written, but very well documented. It is truly a treasure and a book that every pastor needs to keep nearby. It will both inform and encouragement you to keep pressing ahead in the miraculous power of God. Further, it will be released in the near future.

Pastor Mark Clements – La Crosse, WI

The book that has helped me the most recently is Rick Renner’s book, How to Keep Your Head on Straight in a World Gone Crazy: Developing Discernment for These Last Days.

Pastor Barry Fredericks – Newtown, CT

I love to read, and even though I spend most of my time in the Bible, I make time for Christian books (there is nothing on TV).

There were several books I read in 2019 and continue to read.

  1. The Healing Anointing, by Brother Hagin. There is an anointing to heal upon me and I want to increase it. Brother Hagin’s book helped so much with the combination of the anointing and faith.
  2. I continue to read A Diary of Signs and Wonders by Maria Woodworth Etter because of the miracles, signs, and wonders the Lord did through her.
  3. I, myself, and some in the church pray with me concerning revival. I read Revival God’s Way, by Leonard Ravenhill. The book is ‘stout,’ but you cannot miss the heart of the man who craves revival.
  4. I continue to read Finney on Revival. No one is better at what he teaches about revival than Finney.
  5. I desire with all of my heart to walk more and more in holiness and am reading Finney’s Crystal Christianity.
  6. George Muller’s book on prayer and his faith to believe the Lord for everything amazes me. I have read this book a few times, Release the Power of Prayer.

I love to read and pray. I have always loved to read, but now I love to learn as I read after some of the great men and women of faith. This lock down, because of the virus, does not bother me. Staying home and reading and praying is as good as it gets. I do need to take my Pastor Sheila out, but for now, this is a good excuse to put on my pajamas and read and pray.

Pastor Jann Butler – Tacoma, WA

The following are books that I highly recommend that have significantly impacted me personally:

The book of Romans; The Walk of The Spirit — The Walk of Power, by Dave Roberson; The Two Natures in The Child of God, by E. W. Bullinger; and Kenneth Hagin’s books.

All have helped me in understanding who I have become as a child of God; especially the personal time I spend praying in the Spirit. I have been able to enter into a place of rest and refreshing (Is. 28:11,12).

Pastor Wendy Preston – Aylesbury, England

I love to read; not sure if my book choices sharpen my pastoral skills, but they feed my heart as a believer and feed my love of Christian history.

Some favorite reads are: 

The Attributes of God, by A.W. Tozer (actually all the books he has penned)

E.W. Kenyon books—in particular, these are two titles that feed me: Advanced Bible Course (studies in the deeper life) and Two Kinds of Love.

For pleasure, I love looking into Christian history, in particular here in England. I love to read of the saints of old and moves of God and how, in centuries gone by, we see the ministry offices at work like we do today. I love the prophet’s office portrayed in the life of St. Cuthbert. You can read about him in a book entitled, Fire of the North: The Life of St. Cuthbert.

A present day author and friend  who has a heart to write about how denominations were formed and the history of Britain, has written several books. But in particular, a book called, Britain’s Spiritual Inheritance, by Diana Chapman, is wonderful if you have a heart for revivals and those who carried a fire in their hearts.

Thankful for all the choices we have.