My 2026 Reading Recommendations
It’s been said: leaders are learners.
It’s true, when you keep growing, you create space for those you lead to grow too.
So here are my 2026 book recommendations, the books that have formed me, stretched me, annoyed me (in the best spiritual way), and helped me love Jesus, the Church, and people more deeply.
But first, confession time.
I didn’t always love reading. In fact, I don’t think I read a single book until adulthood… unless we’re counting Goosebumps. I thought I read Old Man and the Sea for high school English, but when I was in the Florida Keys last year and bought a hard-copy to read while I was there, I didn’t recognise any of it, so I must have cheated on that book report.
For years, I told myself I was “not a reader.” Turns out, I just wasn’t reading things that fed my soul, and I was making excuses.
Now reading has become one of my happy places, a spiritual discipline of sorts. I slow down. I breathe. I meet God. I learn.
(And yes, I know some people prefer audiobooks, better than nothing, no judgement, but ink-on-paper is still superior. Studies show physical books increase retention, focus, and comprehension.¹)
Books demand thought.
Books form us slowly.
Books don’t rush us, and pastors need that.
So here’s my curated list for 2026, the books I think will shape you, not just entertain you. There are so many I could recommend, but I thought I would keep it simple and recommend some books across leadership, preaching, devotional life, and cultural understanding.
Leadership
📘 A Failure of Nerve — Edwin Friedman
If I could only recommend one leadership book, it might be this. It will challenge you, confront your anxiety, and help you lead with courage rather than reactivity.
📘 The Emotionally Healthy Leader — Pete Scazzero
You’ve probably read it — which means you probably need to read it again. We lead out of who we are, not what we do. Gold.
Preaching
📘 Preaching — Timothy Keller
One of the GOATs. If you only read one book on preaching in your lifetime, make it this.
Personal & Devotional Formation
📘 The Gift of Being Yourself — David Benner
Small, gentle, profound. I read it devotionally in the mornings — it helped me make peace with being myself.
📘 The Pastor — Eugene Peterson
A classic memoir. Eugene stretches me because I am nothing like him — and that’s why I need him.
📘 Leap Over the Wall — Eugene Peterson
Rich, devotional, biblical formation through David’s story.
📘 Living in Christ’s Presence — Dallas Willard
Short chapters, deep formation. A book to sit with.
📘 The Meaning of Marriage — Tim & Kathy Keller
A must-read. A strong marriage strengthens ministry and life — this helps you build one.
Team & Leadership Development
📘 The Five Dysfunctions of a Team — Patrick Lencioni
I use this constantly with pastors and staff teams. Simple. Clear. Transformational.
📘 Pursuing God’s Will Together — Ruth Haley Barton
If you’re building an eldership or leadership team, read this together. It will move you beyond boardroom leadership to discerning God’s will as a community.
📘 Crucial Conversations — Patterson, Grenny, et al.
Leadership is often a series of uncomfortable conversations. This book teaches you how to have them well.
Hunger for God
📘 The Anointing — R.T. Kendall
A balanced Word-and-Spirit book that will make you pray bolder and depend on God more.
📘 Celebration of Discipline — Richard Foster
A timeless guide to spiritual practices that form us into Christlikeness.
Church & Theology
📘 Sojourners and Strangers — Gregg Allison
A theological work on ecclesiology — grounding, stretching, helpful for shaping membership pathways and thinking about church identity.
📘 Revival God’s Way — Leonard Ravenhill
Warning: do not read unless you want to be challenged and set on fire.
📘 Neither Poverty nor Riches: A Biblical Theology of Possessions — Craig L. Blomberg
Get a proper grounding of theology when it comes to money, giving, and wealth.
Culture & Worldview
📘 Strange New World — Carl Trueman
Why cultural identity shifted so quickly — essential reading for ministry in a secular age.
📘 Technopoly — Neil Postman
Prophetic cultural analysis before anyone else was talking about it.
📘 Fault Lines — Voddie Baucham
Clear critique of cultural polarization and ideological drift.
📘 Why Business Matters to God — Jeff Van Duzer
Perfect to disciple business leaders — theology of work, calling, and kingdom economy.
Future & Eschatology
📘 Surprised by Hope — N.T. Wright
A beautiful, biblical vision of resurrection and new creation.
📘 Reading Revelation Responsibly — Michael Gorman
For when you want to engage Revelation with maturity instead of speculation. Grounding and refreshing.
So — what are you reading in 2026?
Drop your must-reads in the comments.
I’m always building my list, and I’d love to hear what books shaped you this year.
