Reading is a rich form of discipleship. Reading a book means getting the author's distilled best thoughts and ideas. But choosing good books--like choosing good mentors--can be challenging. To help you choose good books, I've compiled a list from our New Life pastoral team. Here are some of the books we've read and recommend from this past year: Personal/spiritual growth:

• The Great Omission by Dallas Willard (insightful book on spiritual formation and discipleship)
• The Flip Side by Flip Flippen (identifies personal constraints and how to establish a plan to overcome them. Great for personal growth)
• Secrets to Spiritual Power by Watchman Nee (full of spiritual insights and practical pastoral concepts. best to read as a devotional supplement.)
• A Contrarian's Guide to Spirituality by Larry Osborne
• A Million Miles in a Thousand Years by Donald Miller (such a valuable enjoyable read, powerful on story and life-vision, a book to hang ideas on, recommended by several pastors)
• His Needs, Her Needs by Willard Harley (A classic. Written in 1986 but updated a couple of times. Great practical insights into the differing needs of men and women as it relates to marriage.)
• Just Do Something by Kevin DeYoung (great book on discerning the will of God and making decisions, strong theology written with great humor and practicality)
• The Coffeehouse Gospel by Matthew Turner (sharing faith in a relaxed, engaging way.)
• Crazy Love by Francis Chan

Mission/church history/theology:

• The New Global Mission by Samuel Escobar (a valuable book on global mission. deeply impacting.)
• Jesus in Beijing by David Aikman
• Fire From Heaven by Harvey Cox (Spirituality & Church History, particularly Pentecostalism)
• The Mission of God by Christopher Wright

Culture/history/science:

• The Seven Faith Tribes by George Barna (describes the major spiritual categories of people in America)
• What Americans Really Want....Really by Dr. Frank I. Luntz (the chapter called Living at the Speed of Life that describes the generation of 2020 is worth the book. Great look into the values and mindset of mainstream America)
• Devil in the White City by Erik Larson (Chicago history)
• 13 Things that Don't Make Sense by Michael Brooks (explores the limits and gaps of current scientific knowledge. fascinating and semi-technical.)

Church leadership:

• Church Unique by Will Mancini (great for vision, strategy, and clarity of mission)
• Beyond Megachurch Myths by Thumma & Travis (describes common characteristics of churches that have over 2000 in attendance. Debunks some of the myths about these churches.)
• Reclaiming our Prodigal Sons & Daughters by Larson & Bendtro (a moving book about the lives of urban youth)
• Deep Church by James Belcher (book of the year on several lists, insight on being a life-giving, historically rooted church. mediates the emerging/traditional church conversation well)
• Heralds of God by James S. Stewart (timeless, spiritually rich book on preaching)
• Sticky Church by Larry Osborne (useful for honing church follow up & small group systems. recommended by multiple pastors.)

Fiction:

• The Collected Short Stories of Loius L'amour (short adventurous cowboy stories I have been reading to my son for leisure)
• The Innocence and Wisdom of Father Brown by G.K. Chesterton (awesome British detective stories that are really about faith and human nature)
• Kiss & Green by Ted Dekker
• Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

Business/Leadership:

• The Starbucks Experience by Joseph Michelli (some of the key principles that have helped Starbucks grow & succeed)
• Switch by Chip & Dan Heath (the Heath brothers give a valuable, well-researched, fun to read book about understanding and harnessing change. many applications--much more than business.)
• Guerilla P.R. by Michael Levine
• How the Mighty Fall by Jim Collins (Collins is a first rate researcher and writer. this book is on leadership & change)
• Coaching Leaders by Daniel White
• Made to Stick by Chip & Dan Heath (rich with ideas and insight on communicating ideas clearly and with impact)
• The Talent Code by Daniel Coyle (deals with habits & training in organizations)
• Getting Things Done by David Allen
• Joker One by Donovan Campbell (a moving story of sacrificial leadership in the setting of Iraq)
• Leadership From The Inside Out by Kevin Cashman
• Great Employees Only by Dayle Dauten (leadership selection & development)
• Back of the Napkin by Dan Roam
• What Got You Here Won't Get You There by Marshall Goldsmith