Wasted top reads in 2018: Books that made significant impact on my thinking and ministry vision

I read a lot. Sometimes more than one book at a time.

At the end of each year, I post the ten or so top books that have been influential to me, which I think other Christians and those in church ministry would benefit from reading as well. I don’t list journal articles, but I read a lot of these as well. But since you all will more likely buy a book than dig up an academic journal, I give you the most significant books I have read in 2018.

I don’t have to agree with everything an author has written to be influenced—to rethink, to expand my thoughts on church, the faith, the gospel, mission, evangelism, discipleship, culture, justice, etc. These eleven books make the list because their subject matter will have lasting value on me. And, I believe would greatly help you on your discipleship journey as well.

They are not in any particular order; more or less the order I read them throughout 2018. Nonetheless, I strongly suggest the two books by Richard Beck and Michael Goheen’s book on Newbigin’s “Missionary Ecclesiology” as very important and significant reads for those in church ministry. And, I highly recommend Stephen Backhouse's book on Kierkegaard is a fun (enjoyable) read that will help you think about your faith out of the box (out of the Christendom box the church finds itself in at this time).

​Enjoy.

Church and Its Vocation: Lesslie Newbigin’s Missionary Ecclesiology
by Michael W. Goheen

Church Forsaken: Practicing Presence in Neglected Neighborhoods
by Jonathan Brooks,

Stranger God: Meeting Jesus in Disguise
by Richard Beck

Mañana: Christian Theology from a Hispanic Perspective
by Justo L. González

Loving the Poor, Saving the Rich: Wealth, Poverty, and Early Christian Formation
by Helen Rhee

Delivered from the Elements of the World: Atonement, Justification, Mission
by Peter J. Leithart

Saved by Faith and Hospitality
by Joshua W. Jipp

Exegeting the City: What You Need to Know About Church Planting in the City Today 
by Sean Benesh

Urban Hinterlands: Planting the Gospel in Uncool Places
by Sean Benesh

Kierkegaard: A Single Life
by Stephen Backhouse

Unclean: Meditations on Purity, Hospitality, and Mortality
by Richard Beck

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