In 2016 we read many good books, a few great books, and a couple of “why was this ever published” books (no, you won’t find books of the last category in this list). Overall, it was a great reading year with many happy hours invested in my study or outside on the deck with the essential “Big Three”: good music, good coffee and a good book.

As the year ends, we offer you our list of our favorite reads in 2016. The astute among us will notice immediately that while a few of these books were published in 2016 others were published in earlier years. This is the case because this is not our list of the best of books published in 2016, but the best of the books we read in 2016, whatever the publishing year. C.S. Lewis advised, “It is a good rule, after reading a new book, never to allow yourself another new one till you have read an old one in between,” and it’s advice we’ve followed. If a book is on this list, we enjoyed it (even if we didn’t always agree with everything within its pages) and we recommend you give it a read in 2017.

And so, our favorite reads for 2016, listed by subject (Church, Church & Culture, Discipleship, Ministry, Pastoral Ministry, etc). Each title is followed by the author’s name and a brief description of the what and the why of the book’s inclusion here. Warning! While the overwhelming majority of our top reads are Christian books addressing subjects like discipleship, pastoral ministry and the inner life, there are a few selections from other quarters in literature, a few surprises along the way. Enjoy.

CHURCH

Love, Acceptance and Forgiveness – Jerry Cook

I’ve read this book at least a half-dozen times. Why? Because its message is one worth reading again and again. What the church is supposed to be, the work it is supposed to do, and how it is to do that work. The principles of this book will change your ministry and your church in a significant and biblical way.

Where many churches and ministries today seek to be relevant to the culture by becoming like the culture (the Bible calls culture the “world”), the author speaks for a relevance to the culture that flows from the church becoming more like Christ as exemplified and expressed in the Bible.  As the church offers individuals love, acceptance and forgiveness – the love, acceptance, and forgiveness of Jesus –  those individuals will not only come to the church, but they will come to Jesus.  It’s time to replace the lights, fog machines and club atmosphere with the love, acceptance and forgiveness of Jesus.  Here’s how.

Church Discipline: How the Church Protects the Name of Jesus – Jonathan Leeman

Not one of the most popular subjects of our day because it’s not one of the most respected subjects in the church. Afraid of erring on this side or that side, the church has run from church discipline, and so, according to the author, abdicated one of its most essential, positive, encouraging, strengthening, and God-glorifying ministries. This book is not what you think, a treatise on all of the sin in the church and what has to be done about it. Not at all. Instead, it is a look at what CD really is, and why it is so important today. An engaging read, this is a book that will surprise and encourage you. If you’re a pastor, it will give you a positive approach to this often difficult area of pastoral ministry. From the 9Marks Series.

CHURCH AND CULTURE

Losing Our Religion – S.E. Cupp

The culture war in America is undeniable. Often denied, however, is the war being waged on Christianity by many in the media, the bold effort to eradicate an entire faith from the face, and the heart, of the nation. In “Losing Our Religion,” the author looks media in the eye and answers, “J’accuse,” and then, in ten chapters, she describes media’s “Ten Commandments” in its attempt to destroy Christianity in America.

LOR is no mere diatribe, for Cupp cites example after example of media’s attacks – facts, facts, facts demonstrating their assaults on Christ and His teachings, their efforts to eradicate America’s historical Judeo-Christian foundations.

The wild ramblings of a fundamentalist Christian extremist, you say?  I guess I forgot to mention that the author who so ably defends Christianity is herself an avowed atheist. We got your attention with that sentence, didn’t we? And the author will get your attention with this book about your religious freedom and whether it will be sustained in an America whose motto reads, for now, “In God we trust.”

DISCIPLESHIP

Discipline: The Glad Surrender – Elisabeth Elliot

A great “heart and mind” book on the subject of whole-life discipleship – our creation and call, God’s grace and sovereignty. Elliot gives believers a devotional study on the importance of learning the disciplines of things like the mind, the body, place, time, work and even feelings. The book has the feel of a hand-drawn map, one written by the hands of a trail-tested sage. As I read, I could almost see the author sitting across from me, gently but strongly sharing these truths and encouragements with me. These are not lessons but footsteps, footsteps to follow and to experience for yourself. Great book. What a heart and what a mind.

Simplify – Bill Hybels 

A gift from my brother-in-law, this book was a welcome treasure in every day discipleship – not so much the ministry-expression side of discipleship, but the soul side of it. As the sub-title puts it, it is a book about “ten practices to unclutter your soul.” Someone has said that life is lost in the details, the endless racing to keep up with the many and various requirements of life. In this pursuit we then lose sight of the big picture, our sense of purpose, even ourselves.

Hybels grabs ten details of life and describes how you can discipline them, and so, find the life God intended in them. Things like your schedule, relationships, work, finances, even the seasons of life. It’s a book for everyone, but especially for the often overwhelmed minister who finds him or herself chasing life and ministry rather than fully living them. This is a book I recommended often in 2016 to the young ministers I coach. It’s a book I’ll recommend often to friends and colleagues for years to come.

The Ragamuffin Gospel – Brennan Manning

Grace. Do you need grace in your life? Do you need to come to an awareness of God’s very real and always present offer of grace in your life? Do you need to be free of the guilt that you or others have heaped upon you? Are you tired of living beaten up and down? Are you burned out? Are you looking for the abundant life Jesus promised, yes, even in the struggles of temptation and sin? Then you need to read this book of grace.

I admit that I didn’t agree with everything the author had to say (just as he probably wouldn’t agree with everything I have to say), but the message he brings is eternally fresh and transcendently personal: I am a ragamuffin, but Christ’s grace is mine and it makes me more than I can be by myself. Strongly recommended for the weary, those burdened by guilt or failure. Come to the refreshing waters of Jesus and drink freely of life eternal and abundant!

Wild at Heart: Discovering the Secret of a Man’s Soul – John Eldredge

The definitive book on Christian manhood. WAH is about what it is to be a “man” as intended and created by God. In other words, there is no gender identity crisis here: men and women are different in their essence, and (gasp), it’s a very good thing. Eldredge writes poetically and yet practically on the subject of Christian masculinity: masculinity that dreams and dares to pursue those dreams; masculinity that seeks a battle to fight, an adventure to live, and a damsel to rescue. Contrary to the diatribes of contemporary American culture against men being men, Eldredge writes of the virtues of Christian manhood. Recommended for every man and for every father of a boy on his way to becoming a man.

ECONOMICS

Basic Economics: A Common Sense Guide to the Economy – Thomas Sowell

Yes, economics. It’s been an ongoing love of mine since my college days at Miami University – those courses in Micro-economics, Macro-economics, International Trade, Money and Banking, Tax Theory, Social Security, Comparative Economic Systems, etc.  Sadly however, economics education in America today is not just woefully inept, but criminal as history is being rewritten and demonstrated principles are being denied.

Sowell possesses not only one of the best minds in America and an incredible knowledge of economics, but he has the ability to clearly, comprehensively and concisely communicate that knowledge. In this study, Sowell delivers on his promise to hit the basic, the 101 principles of economics, things like:

Markets – the role of prices;

Industry and Commerce – profits and losses, government;

Word and Pay – productivity and pay, labor;

Time and Risk – the role of investment, risks and security;

The National Economy – national output, money and banking, governmental function, taxes;

The International Economy – trade, the transfer of wealth;

Economic Myths.

After Henry Hazlitt’s “Economics in One Lesson,” this should be your first read in the essential study of economics. Where Hazlitt introduces you to how economies really work – no matter how much socialist economists and politicians wish they didn’t – Sowell takes it from there, explaining in a little more depth the principles that make them work. Another re-read in 2016 and well worth the time investment.

FICTION

The Chronicles of Narnia – C.S. Lewis

You’ve heard of them for years, but have never read them? Stop, do not pass GO before you go to your favorite bookstore, buy the entire set of seven books, and begin reading.

As a young father, I read this series to my daughters at bedtime. We made it through the wonders of Narnia three times before time finally caught up with us and little girls grew up.  We wore out two sets before we shelved them for the last time.

In 2016 I went back and revisited The Chronicles during a designated season of reflection and found them just as captivating as ever.   Their presentation of Christ, the battle between good and evil (and the inevitable triumph of good), truth as beautiful and eternal, virtuous character, personal development, relationships, the end of all things, and yes, just great adventure all make these seven books wonderful reads.

Lewis wrote that the serious business of heaven is joy. Let these books help you do heaven’s serious business.

INNER LIFE

The Way of the Heart: Desert Spirituality and Contemporary Ministry – Henri J.M. Nouwen

Solitude is conspicuous for its absence in the life and discipleship of most followers of Christ today. Though we are immortal souls, and so, in need of soul care, we have replaced soul care with self care, displaced solitude with activity, noise, and crowds. Once upon a time as believers we tended our souls; today we shine up our selves (see “selfies,” celebrity, & Facebook). In the face of this self-focused culture, Nouwen writes like soldier-salmon, decidedly swimming against the current as he calls to us, challenges us, and teaches us how to once again care for our souls.

Drawing upon the writings and life of the Desert Fathers and Mothers, Nouwen invites us to restore solitude, silence and God-focused rather than self-focused prayer to our life – think of walking alone in solitary places with only the offer of the fellowship of God and you’ll understand the first part of this book. But don’t miss the second part when Nouwen shows us how this “desert spirituality” is not left in the desert or lived out in a monastery, but rather lived out in ministry for God to others.. In other words, Nouwen shows us how caring for our souls in solitude, silence and prayer most effectively empowers us to minister to others. A better title for this book might be Streams of Living Water in Desert Spirituality. A life-giving read.

LEADERSHIP

Creativity, Inc.: Overcoming the Unseen Forces That Stand in the Way of True Inspiration – Ed Catmull

Another of the great books recommended by a Journey member, I read this one year ago over the Christmas – New Year’s holiday. Creativity, Inc. is a primer on how to build a truly creative leadership and team and organization. Using the story of his own company, Pixar, Catmull pulls back the curtain and shows us how he, Steve Jobs, and John Lasseter found the best people for Pixar, unleashed and even multiplied their creativity, producing not only the great Pixar films we all know, but more importantly, a creative and continually self-reinventing company. Most importantly, though, this book is not simply Catmull’s paean to Pixar, but an invitation to do leadership and team and vision and mission in the same way.

This is a book that can translate very well into church leadership culture. In fact, many middle-aged pastors would be very well served to read this book and to reform their own ministry approach and ministry team around it – we might have a lot more “Pixar-type churches” and a lot less “Babies-R-Us type churches.”

The Churchill Factor: How One Man Made History – Boris Johnson

Not strictly a chronological biography, TCF is more a collection of anecdote-driven chapters on significant seasons in Churchill’s life. Johnson gives the reader a fresh look at the highs and lows, the successes and failures of a man who is arguably the greatest leader of the 20th Century, the man most responsible for the saving of Europe from the evils of Nazism.

The author takes us back into the formative boyhood years of Churchill, his family, and his upbringing, even taking us on a visit of his ancestral home. The early years of his career are a very interesting study, especially in light of what is to follow: his early political success, subsequent rejection, and phoenix-like rise to the single most significant position in the world during the years of the Second World War. While this is not a textbook on leadership, there is much within its pages that will inform and inspire any leader in his or her life today. A page-turner.

Above the Line: Lessons in Leadership and Life From a Championship Season – Urban Meyer

A disclaimer: Yes, I am an Ohio State fan. No doubt about it. Both of my daughters are alumna, we are proud Buckeye nation members, and we pull hard for the Scarlet and Gray. Guilty on all counts. But, my review and recommendation of Urban Meyer’s book: Above the Line – Lessons in Leadership and Life From a Championship Season is in no way a reflection of my passion for the Buckeyes. Above the Line is not so much a look at a football team’s BCS championship season as it is a look at how leadership within the team itself took the team there.

There’s a lot of leadership principles here for the individual, but where ATL shines is in its focus on team context: leadership is all about team and Coach Meyer writes in clear terms just how leaders can build effective units of leaders who then lead others. So much of what he writes applies very well to your leadership team. You’ll read about building trust through building the three C’s of Character, Competence and Connection. You’ll learn about the importance of response, culture, thought process, and excellence. And yes, it’s all seasoned with a few stories (but not really that many.) This is no tribute to Coach Meyer: he is transparent and brutally honest about himself, and so, he gives every one of us less than perfect leaders great hope that we, too, can build great leadership units that lead their ministries like the overcomer-champions Christ intends for us to be. Christian leader, if you enjoy football, here’s a great way to combine two passions: ministry and football. Here’s your opportunity to capture again what you’re fighting, training, and leading for, and how you can lead Above the Line.

MINISTRY

Creative Ministry – Henri J.M. Nouwen

This is the second of two Henri Nouwen books we read this year, this one focused on ministry, it’s expression and its energy source. Nouwen looks at the primary responsibilities of the minister: teaching, preaching, counseling, organizing, and celebrating. But instead of looking primarily at their secondary aspect, expression, he looks at their primary aspect: their energy source, how the life of God fills each of these ministries through the minister’s personal spiritual life. Handicap the minister’s spiritual life and you handicap God’s life and power in the minister’s ministry life.

Not only this, Nouwen writes, but when the minister removes his personal spiritual life from community spiritual life, his ministry life is handicapped as well: the minister’s spiritual life must be personal before God, but it must also be participatory with others before God. Only then, will it be meaningful and powerful within the minister and before others. Nouwen then describes how this creative approach to the minister’s spiritual life will affect each of the five primary ministry responsibilities. I look at this book as an invitation to integrity or wholeness of personal and ministry life: my being with Christ and others in Christ will flow in and form my ministry for Christ. Being leads to doing.

MISCELLANEOUS

Poirot and Me – David Suchet

No, it’s not a Christian book, but it is a fascinating look into the single life produced when two lives, one real and one fictional, are joined. Many around the world would agree that British actor David Suchet masterfully brought Agatha Christie’s famous detective, Hercule Poirot, to life on the small screen. If you’ve read Dame Agatha’s detective masterpieces featuring Poirot, you know the complex and idiosyncratic character of the Belgian sleuth. Reading a Poirot mystery is as much about figuring out the detective himself as it is figuring out “who done it!” Imagine then the daunting challenge of portraying this character on film. No once or twice, but seventy times in as many films spanning twenty five years.

“Poirot and Me” is a wonderful look behind the curtain into just how Suchet approaches Poirot and how he was able to so capably bring the beloved detective to life. It’s like reading two biographies at the same time! If you enjoy Poirot, in print or on film, you really do need to read this delightful book. As you do, you’ll encounter a new mystery: how to put it down so you can turn off the light and finally go to sleep!

PASTORAL MINISTRY

Dangerous Calling – Paul David Tripp

A member of Journey asked me to read this book by Paul David Tripp. Always ready to add to my library, I purchased it and immediately dove into it. It was a read I could not put down. The attraction? As I have often said, “Tripp takes the unspeakables of pastoring and puts them on paper: heart and soul, blood, sweat and tears.” I first read it in 2015. I so loved it, I read it again in 2016.

Every pastor in America should pull the blinds on his study, turn off the phone, get a cup of coffee and spend two days reading “Dangerous Calling” by Paul David Tripp. Every individual preparing for life as a pastor should spend five days reading and taking notes on Dangerous Calling, followed by a series of sit-downs with his or her pastor. Tripp doesn’t just “draw back” the veil on the internal processing of many pastors, he rips it down in what could be the most raw book ever written on pastoring. The “glamour” of pastoring not churches, but imperfect people is burned away. The pastor-as-automatic-spiritual-giant model is exposed as not only impossible, but dangerous, demonstrated by a long track record of families, churches and pastors destroyed by unrealistic goals and spiritually thin pastors. Dangerous Calling is a dose of real, a painful but healing read. I hated it. And I loved it. This is the top of the top shelf if you’re man (or woman) of God enough to take it.

On Pastoring: A Short Guide to Living, Leading, and Ministering as a Pastor – H.B. Charles, Jr.

H.B. Charles is a pastor’s pastor. This is made clear in this essential – essential – tome on pastoring. Writing in brief but meaty chapters, Charles describes a “You learned about the theory of pastoring in seminary, let’s talk about it now that you’re out there doing it” kind of book. It’s a bit of a blend between Tripp’s “Dangerous Calling,” and James Emery White’s “Things They Never Taught You in Seminary.” I’ll be recommending this book for years and years to come even as I read and reread it for years to come.

Pause for Pastors: Finding Still Waters in the Storm of Ministry – Chris Maxwell

I love this book, this 30-chapter collection of thoughts designed to help the pastor . . . pause . . . in the midst of his or her busy life and reconnect with the Source of Life. Every pastor needs a pastor. While each of us needs a flesh and blood pastor, this book can be read as notes from one pastor to another pastor, notes written to shepherd him or her through the many challenges of ministry life. It’s real. It’s tough and tender. It’s pain and pleasure. It’s a life-giving invitation to self-care.

THEOLOGY

The Heresy of Orthodoxy: How Contemporary Culture’s Fascination With Diversity Has Reshaped Our Understanding of Early Christianity – Andreas J. Köstenberger and Michael J. Kruger

Did you know that much of what you have believed about the Bible and its message is wrong? Did you know that what you have understood to be the original, historic, orthodox teaching of the Bible is, in fact, incorrect – the Apostles did not believe or teach what you think they did. At least according to the new school of theologians (who are really the old school in new clothes of academia).

How did much of current work in theology come to be in its present state of disarray? The authors write that recent cultural values have been brought into current theology and used to rewrite church doctrine in history. These false teachings have displaced original, biblical meaning, to the point that biblical orthodoxy has now become heresy in much of the church. This is an exposé of the “scholars” and “scholarship” that are at the root of this new theology. No, you won’t find this title in your current pop theology Christian book store, but you’d better find it nonetheless if you want to be able to recognize and resist heresy, while remaining true to orthodox Christian doctrine.

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