Finding the most insightful, inspiring, helpful books out of all the many that get pushed our way is not easy.
So I took a Twitter poll – mostly from pastoral types (you) – on the best books that you had read in the past six months. I got a lot of great responses, but a handful of books surfaced to the top.
(Note: not every book made this list; only the ones that received multiple votes. Also, if you recommended a fiction book, I’m saving it for a later post.)
Of the books you recommended, two tied with the most number of votes:
A Praying Life: Connecting with God in a Distracting World
Of all those recommended, A Praying Life stood out simply because those who recommended it were so passionate about it and seemed to be deeply affected by it. This is what you had to say about the book:
“An honest, non-formulaic look at the relationship for which we were created.”
“A Praying Life helped to push prayer beyond discipline (good) to life (better).”
“One of those books you almost forget because it becomes part of your life.”
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Deep Church: A Third Way Beyond Emerging and Traditional
So much on the blogosphere has already been written about this book. Needless to say, for many of you it has become the handbook on how church is to navigate the most pressing issues that currently surround us. One twitter user summed up well the book’s attraction: “Deep Church took seriously the questions and concerns of the emerging generation. Very rare.”
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Four books tied for second place in my informal survey:
Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God
“When I thought I needed to be comforted, Chan was brave enough to call me to repent through Crazy Love… I owe him, big time.”
“Crazy Love gave our leaders renewed focus on what it means to live sent in our everyday lives. It destroyed & rebuilt our ideas, concepts & beliefs about what it means to love as Christ did.”
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The Jesus Storybook Bible
It seems as if tons of adults have been inspired by this book written for kids. I concur with one user who said, “I read it with my kids, but it never fails to impact me as well.” Find your love sparked again for the One whose name every story whispers.
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Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die
“Excellent resource for communicators and ideas that stick.”
“Made to Stick helps put feet to having the vision that’s stuck in your head & heart to stick to those who are following.”
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The Prodigal God: Recovering the Heart of the Christian Faith
“A mind blowing new look at a story that all Christians think they know but should.”
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The following books all received multiple votes:
Total Church: A Radical Reshaping around Gospel and Community by Tim Chester & Steve Timmis
“Helped me see the call to the Gospel lived in the community for the mission.”
Unfashionable: Making a Difference in the World by Being Different by Tullian Tchividjian
“Copying the world does not attract the world. Being different from & loving the world at same time is attractive.”
Your Jesus Is Too Safe: Outgrowing a Drive-Thru, Feel-Good Savior by Jared Wilson
“Theologically deep, but accessible. The self-righteous and those with a feel-good Jesus are both confronted with the gospel.”
The Furious Longing of God by Brennan Manning
“It’s so genuine and honest. So little is genuine anymore that when you find it, it’s captivating.”
How People Change by Timothy Lane & Paul Tripp
“Every church needs to go through this gospel-centered book.”
“Changed my thought process from pop secular Christianity to gospel-centered discipleship.”
Counterfeit Gods: The Empty Promises of Money, Sex, and Power, and the Only Hope that Matters by Timothy Keller
“Hey, I had to say it. Tim Keller is my idol!”
Christless Christianity: The Alternative Gospel of the American Church by Michael Horton
The Divine Commodity: Discovering a Faith Beyond Consumer Christianity by Skye Jethani
Humility: True Greatness by C. J. Mahaney
According to Plan: The Unfolding Revelation of God in the Bible by Graeme Goldsworthy
What’s your review on these books? If your favorite book didn’t make the list, you’ve got a chance to recommend it here.
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See also: Books Every Church Planter Needs To Read
Tags: books
Man, thats some good stuff, Jonathan. People helping people. Its almost like the site’s set up to have ministers helping each other- crazy! It looks like the gospel! Keep it up, man.
Great stuff. Thanks for taking the poll and posting the results. This has helped me to nail down a couple of books to place on deck to read. Thanks for your passion and energy that you put into each post.
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Completely agree on The Praying Life. Extremely practical, but theologically stout. Great stuff.
Deep Church is actually sitting on my shelf as my next read once I finish a current book. Can’t wait to check it out.
I didn’t know the books had to be about Jesus. I don’t read many of them.
How to Read a Book is a profoundly helpful text that actually teaches you how to understand what your reading instead of the methodology of pronouncing words (like we learned in school). As a result, it helps with all of the above mentioned texts. Not theological and won’t change the soul, but it’s practical and sharpens the readers mind.
“The Praying Life” has helped me “relax in the face of sin” and recognize my “inner brat” as I pray. Thanks to Kevin Cawley for the rec…
Thanks, guys, for the votes and the feedback. The passion people have for The Praying Life really makes me want to pick it up soon.
Dakota – the book recommendations didn’t have to all be about Jesus – see Made to Stick. Most of those who follow me on Twitter and read this blog, however, are ministry types, and so most of the votes ended up being church related somehow.
Only books that got multiple votes ended up on this list. Did you recommend a book? Maybe I can include yours in a future list.
Great list Jon and thanks for the work you are putting in on the site. A blessing to many…
Deep Church is a profound book and was a very close 2nd behind Counterfeit Gods for me. I haven’t read all of The Praying Life yet so I didn’t want to cheat. But it’s amazing so far and so good for my soul.
wow. thank you Jon!
So happy that a children’s book made it on to this list (and also that it was grouped in with Tim Keller).
Two reasons to be v glad & so grateful!
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I am reading “Your Jesus Is Too Safe” I am loving it. It’s great to read a book that’s entirely, totally, completely and comprehensively about Jesus. With each chapter you can’t help but see your affections and faith in Christ be stirred. I am only half way through so I cannot give a full endorsement yet but so far so good! Total Church and Prodigal God are must reads also. Jonathan, I am curious about The Praying Life too. I’ll have to check it out!
I tire of all the hype over the latest books. Doesn’t anyone ever read old ones? C.S. Lewis said, “When you are tempted to read a new book, reach for an old one.” Everyone should consider those words. Here’s a cool and recent post about that very subject from Bill Hull: http://blog.bible.org/hull/content/danger-promiscuous-reading-or-your-futile-effort-stay-current
I have to agree!!! A Praying Life, has to be one of the most meaningful books for my walk that I have ever read. It’s impact easily stands shoulders with Piper’s, God is the Gospel & Don’t Waste Your Life.
Steve – My question re: Counterfeit Gods – is it new material? For the guy that’s been ripping off Keller on the topic of idols for years, will seem like old stuff rehashed?
Sally – thanks for stopping by the site, and thanks for such a moving, gospel-centered book.
Orion – I agree re: Your Jesus is Too Safe.
Anon – why drop the bomb you did under the cover of anonymity? I agree with Lewis’s statement, but if this is a hard & fast rule, it can quickly become a reverse kind of chronological snobbery (to steal Lewis’ own term). The very purpose of this list is to help Xtians & pastors sort through the thousands released and marketed to us every year to find the ones that are truly helpful.
And A Praying Life is certainly next on my list. Can’t wait to dig in.
Anonymous, you read books written on paper? You sell out, I stick to hieroglyphics and cave scratchings.