The Youth Pastors Gift Guide 2012: Books

How many books do you read a year?  

I wrote a post for youthmin.org called, How many books do you read a year?  The poll shows the results that youth pastors are readers, and are reading at least 5 books a year.  Here is a list of books that I personally think you should read this year.  If you only were to read 5 books, please read one from this list.

1. Dangerous Calling: Confronting the Unique Challenges of Pastoral Ministry by Paul Tripp.

If you were to read on book this year, this has to be the book.  Paul Tripp does a fantastic job calling pastors back to Gospel, and to find their identity in it.  I want to buy cases of this book to send to all my friends in ministry.

2. Sticky Teams: Keeping Your Leadership Team and Staff on the Same Page by Larry Osborne.

Lead your youth ministry team to the next level with this book.  Larry Osborne does a great job describing what it means to actually lead, and lead teams well.

3.  Community: Taking Your Small Group off Life Support (Re: Lit Books) by Brad House

This book is meant for church small groups which is exactly why you should read this book.  Take want you can and modify it for your small groups in your youth ministry!

4. Platform: Get Noticed in a Noisy World by Michael Hyatt

Michael Hyatt is a genius and knows how to get books published.  If you want to build your online brand this is the book to read this year.  It will help you take your wordpress blog to the next level.

5.Grown Up Digital: How the Net Generation is Changing Your World by Don Tapscott

If you work with teenagers you need to read this book.  I personally think every pastor should read this book.  The world is now digital, and we(pastors) are still having a hard time understanding it.  Reading this book is your first step into reaching a digital generation.

6. Sticky Faith, Youth Worker Edition: Practical Ideas to Nurture Long-Term Faith in Teenagers by Kara E. Powell and Brad M. Griffin

This is the only youth ministry book that made the list for a reason.  I wish this was the only youth ministry book that was published this past year.  Every youth worker needs to read this book!

7.The Shallows: What the Internet Is Doing to Our Brains by Nicholas Carr

This is a book to balance out Grown Up Digital.  Nicholas Carr’s approach to this generation is realistic and over the top negative.

8. Resonate: Present Visual Stories that Transform Audiences by Nancy Duarte

Here is a book to help you become a better communicator.  I love this book and how Nancy lays out different speakers and the way they communicate effectively.  Learn how to speak to crowds from the best!

9. slide:ology: The Art and Science of Creating Great Presentationsby Nancy Duarte

Having a great slide to go along with your message is a difficult thing.  Most of the time I won’t use slides because I don’t have the time to put into it!  I think you might need to upgrade your slide skills this year!

10. Poke the Box by Seth Godin

This is one of the best books I have read in the past 5 years.  Here is my review of the book, Poke the Box.  Read the review and purchase the book!

What other books would you add to the list?  

Check out our free ebook! The ebook is titled: 5 Ways To Communicate Effectively in a Digital World. Did I say it was free?

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