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 Today
Why 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 ...