Six Books: To Help People in Your Church Grow in Faith and Discipleship

New Book Recommendations for Non-Academics

Six Books: To Help People in Your Church Grow in Faith and Discipleship

I love reading and supporting books by my author friends, and sometimes I come across non-academic books that are really great for people in the church who want to learn and grow. Here are some quick recommendations.

New friend: Pricelis Perreaux-Dominguez. We met on social media and I like following Pricelis on IG. She offers an extraordinary combination of boldness and grace. This book sets a vision for a healthy, unified, beautiful church composed of people who are really for one another. Sacred, soft, and safe—Let’s go!

I have so much love and respect for Derwin L. Gray. He absolutely oozes with integrity and he is the kind of Christian and pastor that gives me hope for the witness of the Church today. I love his emphasis here on love at the heart of the gospel. Derwin teaches and models how to share your faith authentically and faithfully with others by focusing on the heart of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

I finally got to meet Glenn in the flesh recently, and it felt like we were long lost brothers. Glenn was born to be a pastor, he shepherds with skill and grace. In this book he uses the ancient Christian creeds as a guiding pathway to understand our common Christian faith that keeps us tied to the core truths, practices, and virtues of our faith in Jesus without getting distracted or wandering off. Whenever you lose your way, go back to the beginning—that is what this book helps you do. Great for a group study.

This is an outstanding book about the person and work of the Holy Spirit. This book will challenge you. BUT: Tyler is one of the most brilliant Christian leaders I have ever encountered. Read this slowly, carefully, and with your heart and mind open, and with Scripture close at hand.

If I taught a course on the Holy Spirit, I would assign this as one of the books to read. Warning: be prepared to have your mind blown and spirituality rocked.

I’ve also gotten to know Heather and her work more recently, and I appreciate the raw, honest, but also hope-filled ministry she has in speaking and writing. This new book talks through dealing with disappointments in life from a perspective of faith.

Josh and I have bonded over hard times we have experienced recently. This book (focused on the Gospel of John) comes out of Josh’s conviction that God will never let you down. Here is my official endorsement:

“In our age of overwhelming disillusionment and discouragement, this book reminded me why the Gospel of Jesus Christ is still good news. The love of Christ is the theme of the gospel of the beloved disciple. Let it be the song of your heart. This is what it means to have life to the full.”—Nijay K. Gupta

There are loads of great books out there, but these are recent books that have come across my desk or screen that stand out as worth reading and recommending for spiritual growth and deeper discipleship.