This saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to be an overseer, he desires a noble work. -1 Timothy 3:1
There is a nobility to pastoring. But let’s be clear: it is work. The call to pastor is the call to prepare. A preparation beginning with the study of the scripture, but almost certainly extending beyond. The notion of iron sharpening iron implies a communal dimension to pursuing knowledge. The community of believers in the local church, a cooperative convention, and the church universal. The communal knowledge available in the contemplation of the saints who have been researching and writing on the faith for two millennia. My counsel would always be for an aspiring pastor to pursue seminary education if the Lord affords them the ability. Yet, every elder can begin their pursuit of knowledge with a good starting library. You don’t know what you don’t know, and you’ve got to start somewhere.
It is a fools errand to attempt to read everything. Ecclesiastes 12:12 says, “…my son, be warned: there is no end to the making of many books…” To attempt to read everything simply cannot be done; nor should it. As the preacher in Ecclesiastes can attest, it is vanity and chasing the wind. The right answer is to read the best things. And for those aspiring to be an elder, the list below is meant to give you a place to start. In fact, I’ve marked what I believe to be the most essential with an asterisk (*).
May the Lord use these books in your life as He has in my own.
Biblical Studies
The Bible Exposition Commentary: Old Testament, Warren Wiersbe
Introduction to the Old Testament, Tremper Longman
New Testament Commentary Survey, D.A. Carson
*Hermeneutics: 40 Questions About Interpreting the Bible, Robert Plummer
Theological Studies
Introduction to the History of Christianity, Tim Dowley
*A Theology for the Church, Daniel Akin
Understanding Biblical Theology, Klink & Lockett
*Delighting in the Trinity, Michael Reeves
The Anabaptist Story, William Estep
131 Christians Everyone Should Know, J.I. Packer
Christian Formation
*Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life, Don Whitney
The Cross of Christ, John Stott
Discipleship, Bonhoeffer
Ethics and Philosophy
*The Doctrine of the Christian Life, John Frame
Philosophy: A Christian Introduction, Baker and Gould
Logic and the Way of Jesus, Travis Dickinson
Ethics as Worship, Liederbach & Lenow
Evangelism & Missions
Radical, David Platt
*The Master Plan of Evangelism and Discipleship, Robert Coleman
Every Member Evangelism, Fish & Conant
Pastoral Studies
*Biblical Authority, James T. Draper, Jr.
*The Christian Ministry, Charles Bridges
*Spiritual Leadership, J. Oswald Sanders
Pastoral Ministry, John MacArthur
*Restoring Integrity in Baptist Churches, Akin, Duesing, Yarnell
*Nine Marks of a Healthy Church, Mark Dever
Dangerous Calling, Paul Tripp
Those Who Must Give an Account, Hammett and Merkle
Preaching
Power in the Pulpit, Jerry Vines & Jim Shaddix
*Text Driven Preaching, Danny Akin & David Allen
Recapturing the Voice of God, Steven Smith
The Art and Craft of Biblical Preaching, Robinson & Larson
Cultural Engagement & Worldview
The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self, Carl Trueman
*Christianity and Liberalism, J. Gresham Machen
Reasonable Faith, William Lane Craig
Stand Firm: Apologetics and the Brilliance of the Gospel, Gould, Loftin, Dickinson
Family Ministry
Shepherding a Child’s Heart, Tedd Tripp
Women in the Church, Kostenberger & Schreiner
*God, Marriage, & Family, Andreas Kostenberger
When Sinners Say “I Do”, Dave Harvey
God, You, & Sex, David White
Practical Ministry
Simple Church, Rainer & Geiger
The Purpose Driven Church (Parts 1-3), Rick Warren
Good to Great, Jim Collins
How to Read a Book, Adler & Van Doren
Parliamentary Guide for Church Leaders, Barry McCarty
Devotional Reading
Gentle and Lowly, Dane Ortlund
*Knowing God, J.I. Packer
Sacred Pace, Terry Looper
Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire, Jim Cymbala
A Praying Life, Paul Miller
**Photo: Janko Ferlic
Adam Mallette is the Lead Teaching Pastor at King’s Church in Las Vegas, Nevada. He is married to Heather and a father of four. Adam holds a PhD in Pastoral Ministry from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and is a former commissioned officer in the United States Marine Corps. More can be found at kingschurchlv.com.
Adam Mallette 