I get asked a lot by young pastors what leadership books I recommend. It seems they didn’t learn leadership in seminary. 
Pastors get into the administration of a church and quickly discover they need help learning to lead.
It should be noted that I don’t do “favorites” normally. I learn from everything, so I seldom have a list like this compiled. I do, however, recognize the importance of learning and these books have helped me, so when I was asked recently I decided to compile a list.
Here are my top 10 leadership book suggestions for pastors:
The Secret, by Mark Miller
Built to Last, by Jim Collins
Made to Stick, by Chip and Dan Heath
Switch, by Chip and Dan Heath
Axiom, by Bill Hybels
Leadership is an Art, by Max Dupree
Next Generation Leader, by Andy Stanley
21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership, by John Maxwell
Good to Great, by Jim Collins
How to Win Friends and Influence People, by Dale Carnegie
This is the kind of post that only gets better with the comments, so be sure to read them and add your own. We’ll learn from each other.
What did I miss?
What would you add to my list?
Which of these are on your list?
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My preaching professor Rev. Doc. Hugh Litchfield said "A pastor is only as good as the prayers said for him or her." So I would add Partners in Prayer by John Maxwell.
Edwin Friedman's book Failure of Nerve
Yea. Good book
Twitter: raystrauss
says:
Thank you for this list Ron! I value your opinion and look forward to reading what you hold in high regards.
Thanks. —Sent from Mailbox for iPhone
On my list:
21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership, by John Maxwell
Good to Great, by Jim Collins
Personal List
The Ascent of a Leader: How Ordinary Relationships Develop Extraordinary Character and Influence
Bill Thrall, Bruce McNichol, Ken McElrath
High Performance Ethics, 10 Timeless Principles for Next-Generation Leadership by Wes Cantre
& James R. Lucas
The Leadership Challenge By Kouzes & Posner
Bruce PowerChurch Administration Handbook, A Revised And Completely Updated Edition
I don't know some of these. I'll check them out. Thanks
There are so many … but here's a start …
Lencioni – 5 Dysfunctions of a Team
Stanley – Choosing to Cheat
Cloud – Integrity
Sanders – Spiritual Leadership
Gallup Press – Living Your Strengths
MacDonald – Who Stole My Church
Thanks for sharing. I know some of these, but not others.
Twitter: geoffwarder
says:
The Me I Want to Be by John Ortberg
Must be a good book. I've had several recommend it. I like his writing.
Building the Bridge As You Walk On It – Robert Quinn
Spiritual Leadership – Oswald Sanders
In the Name of Jesus – Henri Nouwen
Thanks. Not familiar with a couple of these
I highly recommend Tony Dungy's "Mentor Leader"
Thanks Peter. I have that one, but haven't read it yet.
I am shocked that no one has mentioned Leadership Challenge, the five practices of exemplary leadership. It is a must read book for any leader to me.
I thought someone did but it is a great book. It was required reading for my master's
Hi The Secret you listed is also by Ken Blanchard and he is great.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1576752895/ref=aw_d_iv_books?is=l
I would add "How to Pray" by R.A. Torrey, and also "Spirit of The Disciplines" by Dallas Willard.
Not familiar with them. Thanks.
Great reads so we grow in spiritual leadership, passion for God, and the daily commitments that make us effective spiritual leaders. R.A. Torrey is a classic. Anything from Willard is going to go right to the soul.
Switch ~ Dan and Chip Heath | Leading Change
Unleashing the Power of Rubber Bands: Lessons in Non-Linear Leadership ~ Nancy Ortberg | Leading in the context of Ministry
I had Switch, but I should have listed Orberg's book. That one was huge for me.Thanks!
Twitter: raystrauss
says:
Dan and Chip Heath's new book Decisive is also amazing. Leaders must make decisions and the weight of our decisions are regularly weightier than others in our organizations. Knowing how to filter good suggestions and even make the best decisions with a fresh 30,000' perspective is what this book is all about.
Yes. I read that on vacation. Incredible. Also their book Switch. I read anything they write. —Sent from Mailbox for iPhone
I would agree Integrity Dr. Henry Cloud is really good. Dave Ramsey's new book Entreleader should be on the list. Also listed by Uma, The Leadership Challenge- Kouzes and Posner
Haven't read Ramsey's book yet, but I have it. Thanks!
Some of my choices:
— It's your ship – by D. Michael Abrashoff
— The Bible and Leadership – by Lorin Woolfe
— Straight from the Gut – by Jack Welch
— The making of a leader- by Robert Clinton
— Leaders – by Warren Bennis & Burt nanus
— The Leadership Challenge – James M. kouzes & Barry Z Posner
Don't know most of these….The Leadership Challenge is great. It was a textbook in my master's in leadership program.Thanks
Great list! I'd add Integrity by Henry Cloud and 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Covey.
Good choices. Know the Covey book. Know Cloud, but not this book. Thanks
Great list. I would add Courageous Leadership by Bill Hybels.
Twitter: raystrauss
says:
I'd second Billy's suggestion here. Read numerous times and been a constant help through leadership challenges and opportunities.
Awesome—Sent from Mailbox for iPhone
Awesome list, I will have to read more. I benefied from Henry and Richard Blackaby's, Spiritual Leadership: Moving People on to God's Agenda, Revised and Expanded.
Great suggestion. Thanks.
Twitter: leadership__101
says:
Two more that have been really influential for me are:
Spiritual Leadership by J. Oswald Sanders
An Unstoppable Force by Erwin McManus
I would also add McManus' An Unstoppable Force. And also, Seth Godin's Tribes.
Thanks. Good books.
Great list.
I also like Patrick Lencioni's books – 5 Dysfunctions of a Team and Death by Meeting.
Also, a Classic – Leadership and the One Minute Manager by Ken Blanchard
I have not read a few of those, onto my list they go
Awesome. Thanks for your suggestions
Ron, Yes you DID have Good to Great. I guess I don't read that well so early in the morning!
Thanks for the list
I would add Linchpin by Seth Godin.
Good book. Thank you.
I would add the Church of 2020 by Mal Fletcher
Not familiar with it. Thank you.
Twitter: mrsceo
says:
I like the list;not sure about the secret. I would add God is my CEO. Its for businesses but it shows how to let God be the head and not the person. It also gives real life examples.
Twitter: mrsceo
says:
I like the list;not sure about the secret. I would add God is my CEO. Its for businesses but it shows how to let God be the head and not the person.
I would add Good To Great and anything written by Patrick Lencioni.
Yea, probably should have added that one.
I went back…I did have Good to Great. Thought I did but wasn't sure. Anyway, anything by Lencioni is good. I love his 5 Dysfunctions of a Team book and 3 Signs of a Miserable Job
I agree, 5 dysfunctions of a team is a great book, and its an easy read. you can read it in a few hours.
Thanks!