Each year countless books on leadership are published. And each year the contributing editors of Leadership Journal identify the very best of those books for church leaders. Here we offer the best of 2014 in two categories: The Leader's Outer Life (focusing on what leaders do) and The Leader's Inner Life (focusing on who leaders must be). These books will strengthen you in competence and character as you serve as a leader.
The Leader's Inner Life
Soul Keeping Caring for the most important part of you by John Ortberg (Zondervan)
"The depth of Dallas Willard with the authenticity of John Ortberg is a combination that is hard to beat. I'm always eager for books like this that help me dive into deeper soul waters."—Kara Powell
The Sacred Year Mapping the soulscape of spiritual practice by Michael Yankoski (Nelson)
"Yankoski rummages glints of heaven from ordinary moments and earthy stuff, and serves it up in prose that sings. The whole thing's a paean to Elizabeth Browning's insight that "Earth's crammed with heaven, and every common bush afire with God."—Mark Buchanan
Simplify Ten practices to unclutter your soul by Bill Hybels (Tyndale)
"This book reminds me that I'm either abiding in Jesus, or I'm abiding in something else, or perhaps myself. It has strengthened me to say no to clutter and yes to being centered in Jesus."—Kara Powell
Living in Christ's Presence Final words on Heaven and the Kingdom of God by Dallas Willard (IVP)
"My soul grew reading this book. Or perhaps more precisely, my soul grew as this book read me."—Lee Eclov
AHA The God moment that changes everything by Kyle Idleman (David C. Cook)
"AHA outlines biblical transformation and how it works in a simple yet profound way."—Mark Batterson
The Leader's Outer Life
Next Pastoral succession that works by William Vanderbloemen and Warren Bird (Baker)
"This should be required reading for senior leaders everywhere. Succession is going to have to happen—this book will help it happen well."—James Emery White
Toughest People to Love How to understand, lead, and love the difficult people in your life—including yourself by Chuck DeGroat (Eerdmans)
"This book will make you a better leader, pastor, parent, and friend as you seek to love the broken people in your life, including the person you see in the mirror."—Fred Harrell
Autopsy of a Deceased Church 12 Ways to Keep Yours Alive by Thom S. Rainer (B&H)
"Rainer once again speaks compellingly to a growing number of churches late in their 'life cycle.' He provides a hopeful alternative to the sense of inevitability that can be debilitating."—Wayne Schmidt
Kingdom Conspiracy Returning to the radical mission of the local church by Scot McKnight (Brazos)
"The implications of Kingdom Conspiracy will move you to practice what it teaches! This is essential reading for the church in a post-Christian America."—Derwin Gray
Visions of Vocation Common grace for the common good by Steven Garber (IVP)
"Garber fills in the fuzzy ideas about vocation and calling with stories of friends who have thoroughly and thoughtfully discerned how loving God's world plays out in real life. As a preacher I benefited from this vision of vocation that extends to every person in the pew."—David Swanson
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