The reading list below reflects books that have been instrumental in my thinking and theology or books that I’m reading. I would recommend reading critically. Not everything you read should be something you agree with completely. Navigating authors and ideas that challenge your thinking is good for us.

Reading for 2026 – Books I’ve Recently Read

• Rooted Leadership, John Johnson
• The Young Men We Need, Brant Hansen
• The Devil Reads Nietzsche, Michael McEwen
• The War for Middle Earth, Joseph Laconte
• Against the Machine, Paul Kingsnorth
• What is Wrong with the World? by Tim Keller 
• The Pastor Theologian: Resurrecting an Ancient Vision by Gerald Heistand and Todd Wilson
• Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World by Cal Newport
• A Heart Aflame for God: A Reformed Approach to Spiritual Formation by Matthew Bingham
• The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer
• Reclaiming Glory: Revitalizing Dying Churches, Mark Clifton
• Unreasonable Hospitality, Will Guidara
• To Change All Worlds, Carl Trueman
• Hero Maker: Five Essential Practices for Leaders to Multiply Leaders by Dave Ferguson and Warren Bird
• The Rest of God by Mark Buchanan

My recommendations from 2026 would be Rooted Leadership, Against the Machine, Deep Work, A Heart Aflame For God, and Hero Maker. John Johnson’s Rooted Leadership is an excellent theological assessment of leadership books and theories. I enjoyed it greatly and will be recommending to others. I reflected on Against the Machine, The Devil Reads Nietzsche, and To Change All Worlds in a post on critical theories. Anything by Cal Newport is challenging and Deep Work is no exception. We’re too often distracted by our screens and devices to concentrate deeply. Time in thought, quiet, meditation, depth, and intentionality will help us do the work that matters. Spiritual formation from a reformed perspective is Matthew Bingham’s focus in A Heart Aflame For God. His book promotes Bible reading, prayer, and meditation as primary means of spiritual formation. His reformed framework contrasts helpfully with John Mark Comer’s formational writings. In Hero Maker, Ferguson and Bird remind readers that discipleship is multiplying leaders.

Recommended Reading in Various Fields

Theology – Every Christian does theology (some well, some not so well).  I believe it is an important aspect of Christian living and understanding.  The texts below have been instrumental in my theological development and spiritual growth.

• The Cross of Christ by John Stott
• Basic Christianity by John Stott
• According to Plan by Graeme Goldsworthy
• Systematic Theology by Robert Letham
• Knowing God by J. I. Packer
• Introduction to Christian Doctrine by Millard Erickson

Biography – One of the most inspiring Christian growth tools comes from reading biographies of great followers of Christ. The ones listed below have inspired me greatly.

• Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy by Eric Metaxas
• Hudson Taylor’s Spiritual Secret by Howard and Geraldine Taylor
• Godly Ambition: John Stott and the Evangelical Movement by Alister Chapman
• Prophet with Honour: the Billy Graham Story by William C. Martin
• A Passion for Souls: The Life of D. L. Moody by Lyle W. Dorsett

Missions/Evangelism – The books below clarify God’s global disciple-making mission for the church by evangelizing, connecting new believers to local churches, and teaching them to follow Christ.

• Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God by J. I. Packer
• What is the Mission of the Church? by Kevin DeYoung and Greg Gilbert
• Let the Nations be Glad! by John Piper
• The Soul Winner by Charles Spurgeon
• The Insanity of God by Nik Ripken

Preaching and Pastoring – Having a pastor’s heart and a burden for preaching, these texts have both challenged and shaped how I think about interpreting and communicating Scripture as well as shepherding God’s flock.

• Christ-Centered Preaching: Redeeming the Expository Sermon by Bryan Chapell
• The Reformed Pastor by Richard Baxter
• Lectures to My Students by Charles Spurgeon
• The Pastor’s Handbook by John R. Bisagno
• Preaching and Preachers by D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones

Apologetics – These books below have been seminal in helping me develop strong convictions and confidence in my Christian faith and a biblical worldview.

• Another Gospel? by Alisha Childers
• Tactics: A Game Plan for Discussing Your Christian Convictions by Gregory Koukl
• The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism by Timothy Keller
• Mere Christianity by C. S. Lewis
• Total Truth: Liberating Christianity from Its Cultural Captivity by Nancy Pearcey

History – History is one of my great loves.  The books below are some of my favorites.

• Lucky 666: The Impossible Mission that Changed the War in the Pacific by  Bob Drury and Tom Clavin
• Evangelism in the Early Church by Michael Green
• Revolutions in Worldview: Understanding the Flow of Western Thought by Andrew W. Hoffecker, ed.
• 1776 by David McCullough
• D-Day, June 6 1944: The Climactic Battle of World War II by Stephen E. Ambrose

Christian Living/Spiritual Formation – The following books have impacted my Christian life and practice.

• The Spirit of the Disciplines by Dallas Willard
• Renovation of the Heart by Dallas Willard
• The Divine Conspiracy by Dallas Willard
• The Cost of Discipleship by Dietrich Bonhoeffer
• Man in the Mirror by Patrick Morley
• The 5 Love Languages by Gary Chapman
• The Hour that Changes the World by Dick Eastman

Leadership – Leadership is required in today’s ministry setting.  These books address spiritual leadership in particular and the challenge to pastors to emulate Christ-like leadership.

• Spiritual Leadership by J. Oswald Sanders
• Great Leader Great Teacher by Gary Bredfeldt
• The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership by John Maxwell
• Start with Why by Simon Sinek