Pastors are leaders, and as such they must know how to inspire people to follow them. They must understand the nature of the office of overseer and be able to apply biblically informed wisdom to the challenges of congregational leadership. They need to develop their skills in preaching, teaching, counseling, and evangelism. They must know good ecclesiology and transfer that to the concrete realities on the ground in the churches where they serve. Here is a list of resources that I have found particularly helpful in the development of leadership ability. Disclaimer: My recommendation of a resource does not entail my personal endorsement of everything in it.

 

RESOURCES ON THE PASTORAL OFFICE, PREACHING, AND PASTORAL MINISTRY

The Association of Certified Biblical Counselors website: biblicalcounseling.com

 

Benner, David G. Strategic Pastoral Counseling. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2003.

 

Chapell, Bryan. Christ-Centered Preaching: Redeeming the Expository Sermon. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2018.

 

Dever, Mark and Paul Alexander. The Deliberate Church: Building Your Ministry on the Gospel. Wheaton: Crossway, 2007.

 

Keller, Timothy. “Leadership and Church Size Dynamics.” Redeemercitytocity.com.

 

Keller, Timothy. Preaching: Communicating Faith in an Age of Skepticism. New York: Penguin, 2016.

 

MacArthur, John, Jr. Rediscovering Expository Preaching. Nashville: Nelson, 1992.

 

Merkle, Benjamin. 40 Questions About Elders and Deacons. Grand Rapids: Kregel Academic, 2007.

 

Pierre, Jeremy and Deepak Reju. The Pastor and Counseling. Wheaton: Crossway, 2015.

 

Piper, John. The Supremacy of God in Preaching. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2015.

 

Powlison, David. Seeing with New Eyes: Counseling and the Human Condition through the Lens of Scripture. Phillipsburg, NJ: P & R, 2003.

 

Powlison, David. Speaking the Truth in Love. Winston-Salem, NC: Punch Press, 2005.

 

Strauch, Alexander. Biblical Eldership: An Urgent Call to Restore Biblical Church Leadership. Colorado Springs: Lewis and Roth, 2003.

 

Stott, John. Between Two Worlds: The Challenge of Preaching Today. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2017.

 

York, Hershael and Bert Decker. Preaching with Bold Assurance: A Solid and Enduring Approach to Engaging Exposition. Nashville: B & H, 2003.

 

RESOURCES ON MISSIONS, EVANGELISM, AND CHURCH PLANTING

DeYoung, Kevin and Greg Gilbert. What Is the Mission of the Church? Making Sense of Social Justice, Shalom, and the Great Commission. Wheaton: Crossway, 2011.

 

Johnson, Andy. Missions: How the Local Church Goes Global. Wheaton: Crossway, 2017.

 

Keller, Timothy. Center Church: Doing Balanced, Gospel-Centered Ministry in Your City. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2012.

 

Metzger, Will. Tell the Truth: The Whole Gospel Communicated Wholly by Grace Communicated Truthfully and Lovingly. Downers Grove: IVP, 2012.

 

Packer, J.I. Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God. Downers Grove: IVP, 2012.

 

Piper, John. Let the Nations Be Glad! The Supremacy of God in Missions. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2010.

 

Root, Jerry. “When Evangelism Really Isn’t That Hard,” christianitytoday.com. 

 

Spencer, Ichabod. A Pastor’s Sketches: Conversations with Anxious Inquirers Respecting the Way of Salvation. Createspace Independent Publishing, 2010.

 

RESOURCES ON GENERAL LEADERSHIP

I have not read much in the field of general leadership, though I am sure there is much valuable material out there. From what I have read, however, two resources have stood out to me as particularly helpful for those who lead in a church or a Christian organization:

 

Mohler, Albert. The Conviction to Lead: 25 Principles for Leadership that Matter. Grand Rapids: Bethany House, 2014.

 

Smith, Gordon T. Institutional Intelligence: How to Build an Effective Organization. Grand Rapids: IVP Academic, 2017.