The books I read in 2018 had a profound impact on my family, work, and ministry (top 10 reads from 2018 below). Setting goals, having a plan, and making that plan a priority can go a long way in personal growth. The start of a new year provides a great opportunity to do just that.
These are books I already have that are on my list for 2019.
Top 10 Books Read In 2018
- Necessary Endings, Henry Cloud. This was required reading from a coach and has completely changed the way I look at transitions. This is now required reading for anyone I am coaching/mentoring. It’s a MUST read if you’re going through a transition in life, or need to go through one.
- Emotionally Healthy Leader, Pete Scazzero. This book had the greatest impact on my life last year, and may be one of the most impactful books I’ve ever read. EVERY leader MUST read this. We are deeply emotional being and most of us do not know how to lead with healthy emotions.
- Dream With Me, John Perkins. Dr Perkins is a legend. His story is one I studied closely last year and this book is a great place to start. Living and leading in a multiethnic world/community/church takes a leader who is constantly learning. I learned a lot from this book, but still have much to learn.
- Secrets of Dynamic Communication, Ken Davis. My preaching has been significantly impacted by this book.
- The Art of Neighboring, Pathak and Runyon. Our church went through this in the Spring and its impact was and continues to be significant. Great read to challenge how we live among our literal neighbors.
- Drucker and Me, Bob Buford. This was my vacation reading and wow did I LOVE it! Learned so much about how the mega church in America was influenced. Gained much respect from what is often criticized.
- Strong and Weak, Andy Crouch. Great little book about the needed paradox of strength and weakness. Both are needed. I’m going to use this as a coaching tool with marketplace leaders.
- Leadership Mosaic, Daniel Montgomery. The senior leadership team of our church was coached by Daniel, so of course we read his book. It’s a top notch book on leadership that all leaders should read. Great stuff on team leadership and dynamics. Daniel writes as a scholar-practitioner.
- Advent Conspiracy, McKinley, Seay, Holder. This was the second year our church used the Advent Conspiracy as our Advent preaching series and campaign. It’s helped us completely rethink how we do Christmas.
- Why Don’t They Call Me, Alan Burg. This is a must read for business owners in the wedding industry. I significantly changed much of my sales process with wedding clients and saw significant increases in responses and sales immediately. Alan is a sales guru!
Books To Read In 2019
- The God Ask, Steve Shadrach
- The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Families, Stephen Covey
- Hero Maker, Dave Furguson
- Adrenaline and Stress, Archibald Hart (kindle)
- Speak Like Churchill Stand Like Lincoln, James Humes
- Dream Big, Plan Smart, Todd Wilson
- Shut Up And Sell More, Alan Burg (kindle)
- No Silver Bullets, Daniel Im
- 4 Disciplines of Execution, Chris McChesney
- Sex, Jesus, and the Conversations the Church Forgot, Mo Isom
- Manhood Restored, Eric Mason (kindle)
- Woke Church, Eric Mason (kindle)
- The Power of Habit, Charles Duhigg (kindle)
- Play The Man, Mark Batterson
- What a Difference a Daddy Makes, Kevin Leman
- One Blood, John Perkins
- Meetings Suck, Cameron Herold (kindle)
- Build To Last, Jim Collins
- Inexpressible: Hesed and the Mystery of God’s Lovingkindness, Michael Card
- Gift of Sex, Clifford and Joyce Penner
- Sex and Money, Paul Tripp
- Excellent Marriage, Craig Debinski
- In Search if Work-Life Balance, Russell Clayton
- Why I Believe, Chip Ingram
- Among Wolves: Disciple-Making In The City, Dhati Lewis
- Kingdom Matrix, Jeff Christopherson
- Paradoxy: Creating Christian Community Beyond Us and Them, Ken Howard
- Gaining by Losing, JD Grear
There’s my list of books to finish and read in 2019!
Keys To Growth
Having a list of books to read is great, but that alone won’t make growth happen. Three simple keys make growth happen. I HIGHLY recommend that everyone take steps each year to grow in all three:
1. Set goals. What areas of your life do you want/need to grow in? Find a book/resource and set a SMART goal (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Risky, Time-bound). Be sure to WRITE THEM DOWN.
2. Make a plan. Write out HOW and WHEN you’re going to do it.
3. Prioritize your plan. Don’t just hope it happens, schedule it as a priority. MAKE IT HAPPEN!
Don’t get discouraged and give up WHEN you hit bumps in the road. We all do.
Growth is not so much about avoiding the fall as it is getting up every time we fall down.
Question
What books are you planning to read in 2019? Pick books that hit areas you need to grow in, set a time goal for reading them and times you’re going to read, and then make reading a priority. Readers are leaders!