If I see one post over and over again it’s, “What are you reading?” I like post like these because I am an avid reader and I love to share what I am getting from the books I am reading. This list will be added to. subtracted from and morph over time.
Not all these books are Christian in nature or written by Christians, that doesn’t mean they should be discounted.
Here’s my list of books ever youth pastor should read, most of which have very little to do with youth ministry and everything to do with growing in your faith, getting creative in ministry and growing in your skills to navigate church work
Core Books
A Tale of Three Kings by Gene Edwards
The Cost of Discipleship by Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Celebration of Discipline by Richard J. Foster
Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis
Life of the Beloved by Henri Nouwen
Life Together by Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Personal/Spiritual Growth
Draw The Circle by Mark Batterson
How To Keep A Spiritual Journal by Ronald Klug
Practicing The Presence of God by Brother Lawrence
Know What You Believe by Paul E. Little
Bountiful Goodness by Thomas A’ Kempis
The Ragamuffin Gospel by Brennan Manning
Messy Spirituality by Mike Yaconelli
Crucified By Christians by Gene Edwards
The Dream Giver by Bruce Wilkinson
The Peacemaker by Ken Sande
Anonymous Alicia Britt Nicole
Raised to Stay by Natalie Runion
The Mountain Is You by Brianna Wiest
Youth Ministry
The Danger of Raising Nice Kids by Timothy Smith
The D Factor by Liz West and Paul Hopkins
The Student Leadership Training Manual by Dennis Tiger Mcluen and Chuck Wysong
Interrobang Preaching by Doug Withrup
Small Group Strategies by Laurie Polich
The Disciple Project by Paul Turner
Creating A Discipleship Culture in Your Youth Ministry by Rod M Whitlock
Lead Them to Jesus: A Handbook for Youth Workers by Mike McGarry
How We Read The Bible: 8 Ways to Engage the Bible With Our Students by Matt Laidlaw
Ministry By Teenagers by Jonathan Mckee
My Youth Ministry Playbook by Paul Turner
The End of Youth Ministry by Andrew Root
Generation Alpha by Mark McCrindle
Faith Beyond Youth Group by Powell, Bradbury and Griffin
Prepared for Impact by Ryan Latham and Paul Turner
Creativity/Self-Improvement (Non Fiction)
Start With Why by Simon Sinek
Love Does by Bob Goff
The 21 Indispensable Qualities of a Leader by John Maxwell
The Path by Laurie Beth Jones
Purple Cow by Seth Godin
Crucial Conversations by Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, Ron McMillan & Al Switzler
Do The Work by Steven Pressfield
Belong by Radah Agrawal
Mindset by Carol S Dweck
Real Artists Don’t Starve by Jeff Goins
The Art of Work by Jeff Goins
Linchpin – Seth Godin