Two things in short supply for nearly every church leader—time and money. Unfortunately both are necessary if we hope to buy and read the numerous books intended to help us in our work. That is why Leadership created the Golden Canon, the ten books of 2009 most valuable for church leaders. The winners were selected by a diverse group of more than 100 pastors and leaders, including our contributing editors, who selected the best books in two categories: The Leader's Outer Life, and The Leader's Inner Life. We hope this list contributes to your development as a leader, and assists you in determining where to invest your finite hours and dollars.
The Leader's Inner life
BEST OF THE BEST
Knowing Christ TodayWhy we can trust spiritual knowledge by Dallas Willard (HarperOne)
"Every leader from elder boards on down ought to be revolutionized by this book. Its correctives are timely, needed, and redemptive." —Sarah Sumner
ON OUR VERY SHORT LIST
Leading on Empty: Refilling your tank and renewing your passion by Wayne Cordeiro (Bethany House)
"This book should be handed out with seminary diplomas with a note that says: When you hit a wall (and you will), read this!" —Robert Gelinas
Longing for GodSeven paths of Christian devotion by Richard Foster and Gayle Bebee (IVP)
"This book is not for the cloistered. It's for leaders who are too busy not to walk these paths." —Clark Cothern
A Praying LifeConnecting with God in a distracting world by Paul Miller (NavPress)
"Helps us take an honest look at the ongoing challenges of prayer." —Nina Gunter
Why We Love the Church: In praise of institutions and organized religion by Ted Kluck and Kevin DeYoung (Moody)
"Counters the church-bashing prevalent in our culture." —Wayne Schmidt
The Leader's Outer life
BEST OF THE BEST
Deep ChurchA third way beyond emerging and traditional by Jim Belcher (IVP)
"Neither traditionalism nor emerging Christianity comes out unscathed. But Belcher's analysis is fair and even. I hope all our future conversations about what divides us is done in the spirit of Deep Church, which reminds us at every turn what unites us: the gospel of Jesus Christ." —Brandon O'Brien
ON OUR VERY SHORT LIST
Love is an OrientationElevating the conversation with the gay community by Andrew Marin (IVP)
"How faithful churches can lovingly and graciously embrace the gay community." —Dave Gibbons
Lost and FoundThe younger unchurched and the churches that reach them by Ed Stetzer (B&H)
"I've always been encouraged by Ed's writings. His analysis is spot-on, as are his recommendations for what the church should be doing." —Jonathan Falwell
The Monkey and the FishLiquid leadership for a third-culture church by Dave Gibbons (Zondervan)
"Blended cultures are increasingly relevant for bridge-building. This book's creative storytelling gives useful insight for life and ministry." —David Anderson
The Next EvangelicalismFreeing the church from Western cultural captivity by Soong-Chan Rah (IVP)
"Scholarship gives this book a depth beyond many similar tomes that are based mostly on experience. Rah leaves us with real hope." —Katherine Callahan-Howell
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