6 Books That Have Shaped Me as a Ministry Leader

I love ideas.

I’m constantly searching for innovations and solutions.

I’m the type of person who is never satisfied with the status quo but at the same time, I’m not an inventor.

I’m not the type of person who thinks up all the answers sitting alone in a dark room. I’m a finder. I discover the innovations and solutions my ministry needs through the ideas of others. I’m guessing you’re like me. Most of us aren’t inventors but we know a good idea when we see it.

This is why reading is so important for leaders. Most of the innovations and solutions I’ve implemented over the last 5 years have come from books. I’ve stolen ideas and I’m proud of it! I’m pretty sure the authors would be honored. I mean, that’s why they wrote the books right?

So, you might be thinking, what are the books I should be reading? Where can I find these great ideas? Well, here are 6 books that have deeply impacted me as a leader.

The Ideal Team Player by Patrick Lencioni

For my ministry environment, collaboration and teamwork are paramount. It’s all about hiring the right people, empowering them to do great work and helping them function as a healthy team member.

How exactly do you pull this off?

Well, The Ideal Team Player is a great book for learning how to hire the right people and develop great team members. Just a heads up, the first half of The Ideal Team Player is a fable illustrating the principles of the book. The setting for this fable is a construction company and true to form, there is a fair amount of bad language. Just giving you a heads up.

When it comes to learning how to function as a healthy team, The 5 Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni is also a great resource. It’s one of the best organization leadership books I’ve found. While, we’re talking about Lencioni, I would recommend reading everything he’s written. He’s that good.

Deep and Wide by Andy Stanley

If you’re looking for a manual on how to build a vibrant local church, this is your book. You might think of this book as Andy’s manifesto on church. You probably won’t agree with every idea in the book but it is a fantastic read.

While we’re on the subject of Andy Stanley, he has an older book that made a big impact on me as a ministry leader. This book is called 7 Practices of Effective Ministry. If you’ve ever wondered, what exactly should I be doing as a ministry leader, this book will give you a great framework. And, it’s an easy read.

Think Orange by Reggie Joiner

One of the co-authors of 7 Practices of Effective Ministry is Reggie Joiner, who leads the reThink Group. They put on the Orange Conference and have produced a billion great resources on leadership and family ministry. Reggie is another author that I will read anything from because he’s a brilliant ministry strategist.

A good place to start if you’re unfamiliar with Orange principles is Think Orange.

If you’re looking for ways to improve your children’s or student ministry I have two other recommendations: It’s Just a Phase and Creating a Lead Small Culture. It’s Just a Phase is great for parents, youth pastors and children’s workers. The Lead Small book is the best book I’ve ever read on what it looks like to be a great small group leader.

Renovation of the Heart by Dallas Willard

My senior pastor has taught us that the most important thing we bring to the table as ministry leaders is not our skills, abilities or even spiritual gifts but rather a vibrant relationship with God. For this reason, this book by Dallas Willard might be the most important book on this list. Warning: It’s uncomfortable and challenging to read but it is worth it. What really matters in ministry leadership is that we possess a faith that is truly worth passing on.

Integrity by Henry Cloud

Along these same lines, character is absolutely crucial in ministry leadership. If one of my employees is lacking in skill competency or cultural fit, we can probably improve these areas. If the issue is character, we have a big problem.

This book is helpful in creating a sustainable pace of leadership that keep us and our families healthy. I highly recommend it. I also think Cloud’s book Boundaries is a good read.

Growing Young by Kara Powell

This is a book I’m working through right now. I picked it up for two reasons. First, Powell and the Fuller Youth Institute team are responsible for the book Sticky Faith which has had a massive impact on the way churches and student ministries serve students and emerging adults. Secondly, this is a book on how to help young people discover and connect your church. This is an area that my church is working hard to improve. Like most churches, college students and emerging adults are our weakest demographic.

There you go, 6 books that have deeply impacted the way I lead in ministry. I am hopeful that one or more of these recommendations will help you innovate, take the next step or find a solution to a problem facing your church.

I would love to hear about books that have impacted your church and your leadership. Please leave your recommendations in our comments.