My Top 4 Reads for Church Planters
I have always been a “reader.” When I was growing up it was the comics … today it is books, ebooks, & audio books on church planting, leadership development, and growth strategies … whatever I can get my hands on that will inspire me to become a BETTER Christian, husband, parent, pastor and leader.
I have read hundreds of books over the last 14 years of ministry. Now I am in the season of “church planting” – so let me give you the 4 top reads that helped me launch The Point in Westbury, NY. Some of them are inspirational books and others are strategy/systems books.
THE LAUNCH
Nelson Searcy & Kerrick Thomas
This was the first church planting book I read! The first of many! It contains a proven strategy that is working all over the United States. Nelson & Kerrick have been instrumental in training hundreds of pastors across the country!
Plus … the Journey has invested in The Point (great group of guys)!
THE ART OF THE START
Guy Kawasaki
This is the book that helped me create a ministry plan – how we will specifically launch The Point. Today that ministry plan is being given to church planters from the Church Multiplication Network as a template/guide!
IN A PIT WITH A LION ON A SNOWY DAY
Mark Batterson
It’s the longest titled book I have every read, but it is worth every word! It will inspire you to take risks for God. And every church planter needs to understand the risks – they are HUGE, but we serve a God that is bigger than the risks!
HOLY DISCONTENT
Bill Hybels
What makes you cry? Ticks you off? What injustice do you see and say “I had all I can stand?” Bill will inspire you to not sit on the sidelines but get in the game and do something. I could no longer look at Long Island the same … 1.6% Christian population … I couldn’t stand simply a few churches succeeding … we needed more!!!
Other recommended reads:
* Starting new churches on Purpose – Ron Sylvia
* The Forgotten Ways – Alan Hirsch
* Organic Church – Neil Cole
* Visioneering – Andy Stanley
* Good to Great – Jim Collins
* Servant Leader – Ken Blanchard
* 9 Things a Leader Must Do – Henry Cloud
That’s the beginning of my bookshelf …
What do you recommend? I would love to know!!!
