Top Ten :: Leadership/Reference Books of 2013

By Pastor JimI love to read. I did a quick count and it looks like I read about 75 books this year. By far, my favorite books to read are scripture-saturated, Jesus-exalting books. But I also need a few “dessert” books thrown in there throughout the year. I thought it would be helpful to compile a few Top 10 lists of books I read this year, over the course of a few blog posts, to aid you in your book-buying/reading decisions. Enjoy!These are my Top 10 Leadership/Reference books of 2013.. They include commentaries, theological treatments, and systematic theologies.Find part one of this series here. 1. Center Church: Doing Balanced, Gospel-Centered Ministry in Your City - Timothy KellerComprehensive treatment on a centered, biblical, missional church. This is a great book to take future/current leaders through.2. Dangerous Calling - Paul David TrippIf you are a pastor, group leader, or ministry leader this a must-read.3. A Puritan Theology: Doctrine for Life - Joel R. Beeke, Mark JonesDon’t be intimidated by its size. Its not a book you read cover to cover, rather, start by reading the chapters/sections that interest you and you’ll find richness and depth around every page.4. Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Christian Belief - John M. FrameI love John Frame. This and Grudem’s Systematic Theology will be staples for me year in, and year out. It is very good.5. From Heaven He Came and Sought Her - Edited by David & Jonathan GibsonThis is a compilation of essays on Definite Atonement. Its not easy reading or an easy topic; but important and will stir you to worship.6. King in His Beauty, The: A Biblical Theology of the Old and New Testaments - Thomas R. SchreinerSchreiner weaves the “kingship” theme throughout surveys of every book of the bible. It’s really helpful.7. Sojourners and Strangers: The Doctrine of the Church - Gregg R. Allison, John FeinbergThis is a great reference book on ecclesiology—the study of the Church. If you want to know more about baptism, or church government, or what the mission of the church  should be, get this book.8. Kingdom Come: The Amillenial Alternative - Sam StormsThis is a very important book that gives a rigorous and very readable alternative to the popular end-times view of rapture and premillenialism.9. A New Testament Biblical Theology - G. K. BealeHuge book, read it in bite-sized chunks, its worth it.10. Saving Eutychus - Gary Millar, Phil CampbellThe book I will now give to any young preacher wanting to grow.