What Should I Read This Year?
The internet has been filled with “best of 2022” lists, many of which are filled with book recommendations. YPT is taking a slightly different approach and has asked a few of our friends and contributors the following question, “If there are two books (other than the Bible, obviously) you’d recommend youth pastors to read in 2023, what would they be?”
Here are our recommendations:
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Will Standridge
Workers for Your Joy: The Call of Christ on Christian Leaders, by David Mathis
In a world that is suspicious of leadership and authority, David Mathis shows clearly that the Bible has a better way. He teaches us how to be Godly shepherds of our people and how godly leadership is a work of great joy. Any Youth Pastor would profit greatly from this work.
Limping with God: Jacob and the Old Testament Guide to Messy Discipleship, by Chad Bird
This devotional work through the life of Jacob is essential reading for anyone trying to grow in Christ but always gets in their own way. This book helped me love Jesus more and has helped me shepherd my own messy disciples.
Nick Hartman
You Are Not Your Own: Belonging to God in an Inhuman World, by O. Alan Noble
This book addresses our modern assumption that we are our own and belong to ourselves. And yet this assumption leads to burnt-out people who are never satisfied. He provides a refreshing reminder of Christians' freedom in knowing that they belong to Christ and are not their own.
Face to Face with God: A Biblical Theology of Christ as Priest and Mediator, by T. Desmond Alexander
Alexander surveys the theological themes of Christ as the High Priest and Mediator for us. Your love for Christ will grow significantly from this short but powerful work. It also is a book that offers a great base for teaching students.
Dustin Greenup
Surviving the Trenches: Killing Sin before Sin Kills You, by Joe Barnard
This is a fantastic book giving wisdom and understanding regarding the pursuit of holiness. This is a great book for leaders and young men as Barnard identifies heart issues beneath common temptations such as pride, lust, sloth, and vanity, while also offering remedies in the fight against those sins.
The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self: Cultural Amnesia, Expressive Individualism, and the Road to the Sexual Revolution, by Carl Trueman
Trueman offers a helpful historical analysis of how we got to a place where someone could say and believe, “I am a woman trapped in a man’s body.” It’s a deeper dive but helpful undercurrent for much of the questions and issues we end up working through with students. (note: Trueman has more recently published a shorter and more accessible version, titled Strange New World)
Gareth Crispin
The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self: Cultural Amnesia, Expressive Individualism, and the Road to Sexual Revolution, by Carl Trueman
This sets the scene for the context of youth ministry and mission today. There are few concepts more important to understand than the sense of self that our contemporary society inculcates. (note: Trueman has more recently published a shorter and more accessible version, titled Strange New World)
Plugged In: Connecting Your Faith With Everything You Watch, Read, and Play and then Making Faith Magnetic: Five Hidden Themes Our Culture Can't Stop Talking About... and How to Connect Them to Christ (2021), both by Dan Strange
These two books help you to think deeply but practically about connecting with the culture that youth swim in each day.
Alex Tufano
With: Reimagining the Way You Relate to God, by Skye Jethani
How we relate to God is of primary importance in our role as youth workers, engaging with students’ ideas of God and leading them to see him accurately, and also personally as we follow Jesus ourselves. Jethani unpacks several different ways we think of ourselves of God and points to communion with Christ as the center from which everything else flows.
The Trellis and the Vine: The Ministry Mind-Shift that Changes Everything, by Colin Marshall and Tony Payne
This has become a modern classic in many ways as Marshall and Payne use the imagery of a trellis and a vine to describe the work of church leaders and how we can keep our focus clear. The programs, structures, and plans we put together are like a trellis, providing shape for the actual work of discipleship, the organic vine growth brought by the Holy Spirit.
Robin Barfield
Finding Your Best Identity: A Short Christian Introduction to Identity, Sexuality and Gender, by Andrew Bunt
Andrew has written something remarkable and significant. With heartfelt honesty about his own experiences, he lays out a compassionate and clear case for a God-given identity. This is essential reading for anyone working with young people who may be struggling with sexuality or gender issues, but will also be deeply challenging for anyone who wants to better understand their Christian identity.
Reality and Other Stories: How the Seven Basic Plots Point Us to the Meaning of Reality, by Peter Dray and Matthew Lillicrap
Peter and Matthew use Christopher Booker's analysis of the 7 basic plots in all stories to point to the gospel. This book has helped my communication and preaching more than any this year. Its an evangelistic book, so is an easy read but is very rich.
Mike McGarry
Into His Presence: Praying with the Puritans, by Tim Chester
As a youth pastor, my vocation often involves teaching the Bible as part of my work. I’m increasingly thankful for prayer books like this that feed my heart and keep my faith from becoming intellectualized. A congregation member recently gave this as a gift and I’m already so thankful for it.
Created in God’s Image, by Anthony Hoekema
Read everything from Hoekema. His books are theologically rich and pastorally insightful, and they’re written accessibly. Understanding biblical anthropology is increasingly essential for youth workers who are ministering to students who are grappling with mental health and questions about gender/sexuality. This book will give you a strong foundation for understanding what it means for people to be created (and restored) in God’s image.
