Just had a request from a mate putting together a reading list for a course on church planting.
Before I answer him I’d love to hear what others think. What are the best resources out there for church planters? Why not submit them in order of priority with a short reason why.
Happy to hear from everyone. Let me know if you’re a church planter and we’ll give your input more weight.
“A thoroughly readable description of the dynamics of missionary movements, as well as how to initiate, maintain, and extend them.”
—Alan Hirsch
“I had to read it through in a single sitting.”
—David Garrison
“Steve identifies the core characteristics of movements in a way that enables all of us to understand.”
—Bob Roberts
“Steve synthesizes his vast amounts of experience, wisdom, and research into an easy-to-read book.”
—Neil Cole
“Every so often a book comes along that fuels the flame that was started in my heart years ago. I love this book!”
—Floyd McClung
“I couldn’t put it down till it finished rearranging my mind. This is a keeper!”
—Ralph Moore
“Steve taps into the heart hunger of the growing number of us that want to see God do something great.”
—Ed Stetzer
“Practitioners and thinkers with a passion for mission will want to read and re-read this book.”
—Martin Robinson
“An important book for our times...”
—Bob Logan
“...filled with stories that keep the pages turning with a message that is both simple and profound...”
—Roger Thoman
“Thanks for rewarming our hearts and revitalising our minds and spirits about what needs to be done, and how it should be done.”
—Bill Muehlenberg
“...an excellent popular introduction to the concept of movements...”
—Justin Long
10 Comments
Christianity rediscovered – Vincent Donovan.
Phil, good recommendation. Catholic priest applying Roland Allen’s principles amongst the Africa. A classic.
Missional Church: A vision for the sending of the church in North America. Darrell Guder (ed). Zondervan. While not strictly a church planters book it is totally relevant to what the planted church should be aiming to become and when better to establish a missional ecclesiology then when the whole baby is coming off the whiteboard. Really helps us understand what a missional church is as an agent in the extension of the Kingdom.
The shaping of things to come. Hirsh and Frost.
The connecting church – Randy Frazee
Church next & Leadership next – Eddie Gibbs & Ian Coffey
Making small groups work – Henry Cloud & John Townsend
A free subscription to Cutting Edge, the Vineyard Movement’s magazine for church planters.
It comes out quarterly, and it’s always great reading. And the articles are always very high quality, with reading recommendations at the end.
http://www.vineyardusa.org/publications/ce_subscribe.aspx
As for other faves…
The Making of a Leader by Robert Clinton (NavPress) – read it annually for the big picture on your life.
Anything by Ravi Zacharias – it will get you thinking apologetically, and generally exercise the brian cells for good.
Anything by CS Lewis – for much the same reasons. He just doesn’t date, either.
Any book that will get you praying more (like Edwin Orr, Stuart Robinson, etc).
Any good missionary biography (like Adoniram Judson’s) – to stir your zeal.
The Scandal Of The Evangelical Conscience: Why Are Christians Living Just Like The Rest Of The World? by Ronald Sider – coz a good slap in the face once in a while is probably a good thing. Oh, and social justice matters.
Anything (and everything) by Baxter Kruger (www.perichoresis.org) – I’m still working it thru but I feel like he’s onto something really BIG. At the least, there’s a lot more to the Trinity than most of us get.
And lastly a couple of faves…
Church Without Walls by Jim Petersen – this book has had a big impact on me. It’s praxis and historical reflection and theology and cultural analysis all rolled into one, and it’s an easy read and it makes sense. To me anyway.
The Divine Conspiracy : Rediscovering Our Hidden Life In God by Dallas Willard – mostly on the Sermon on the Mount but it just radiates life and love. Really brings the Lord Jesus to life in a powerful way.
- Alister
Dear Steve & Gang
Top 10 for the Kenzie’s at H2O – Hope 2 Offer: 1.Planting Growing Churches For The 21st Century, Aubrey Malphurs, Baker Books, 2000. 2.The Shaping Of Things To Come, Michael Frost & Alan Hirsch, Hendrickson Pub, 2003. 3.Church Next, Eddie Gibbs & Ian Coffey, IVP, 2001. 4.Starting A New Church Yhe Church Planter’s Guide to Success, Ralph Moore, Regal Books, 2002. 5.Liquid Church, Pete Ward, Hendrickson Pub, 2004. 6.The Younger Evangelicals, Robert E Webber, Baker Books, 2002. 7.Community of Kindness A Refreshing New Approach to Planting and Growing a Church, Steve Sjogren & Rob Lewin, Regal Books, 2003. 8.The Church in Emerging Culture Five Perspectives, Gen Ed: Leonard Sweet, Zondervan, 2003. 9.The Barbarian Way, Erwin Raphael McManus, Thomas Nelson Pub, 2005. 10.Small Groups That Catch the Wind, Ed: Jennifer Turner, Open Book Pub, 2000.
Blessings Mark Kenzie
Mark, thanks for the list. Great to have some input from a planter.
It’s Not Over Until The Barren Woman Sings – Paul Scanlon – Not specifically on planting , but every planter should get his/her head around it.
Conspiracy of Kindness – Steve Sjogren
Doing Church as a Team – Wayne Cordeiro
Purpose Driven Church – Rick Warren, don’t fall into the trap of thinking this book has had it’s day, it is still I believe essential reading for any planter.
ANDY BENNETT – Planter
I’d say:
The Shaping of Things to Come, Michael Frost and Alan Hirsch
Next Church Now by Craig Kennett Miller, Discipleship Resources, United Methodist Church USA
Church Planting: Laying Foundations by Stuart Murray, UK
Planting Tomorrow’s Churches Today by Martin Robinson and Stuart Christine, UK
Community of Kindness by Steve Sjogren and Rob Lewin, Vineyard USA
The Continuing Conversion of the Church, Darrell Guder
Duncan Macleod
Mission Consultant, Uniting Church, Queensland
http://www.seedsofhope.ucaqld.com.au
One Trackback
Surrounding Yourself With the Wrong Books…
I have been thoroughly enjoying the discussion that has ensued at Steve Addison’s blog from his post calling for the top ten books for church planters. He has posted some lists that have come back to him here, here,