For a complete training guide on facilitation skills, see our guide to facilitating small groups.

For a complete step-by-step process, see our pastor search committee guide for small churches.

For a complete collection of church planting resources for small churches, see our church planting resources hub.

By Brent Lacy | Part of our series on faith and practice.

By Brent Lacy

Reading is one of the most important investments a pastor can make. Not reading for sermon prep. Reading for formation, for the kind of deep, sustained engagement with ideas that shapes how you think, lead, and live.

The challenge for small church pastors is time. You do not have hours to read every day. You need a short list of books that are genuinely worth the investment.

Here are 20 books worth your time, organized by category.

Pastoral Ministry (5 Books)

• The Reformed Pastor by Richard Baxter. Written in 1656, still the most searching examination of what it means to be a pastor. Baxter’s challenge to pastors to examine their own hearts before they examine their congregations is as relevant as ever.
• Brothers, We Are Not Professionals by John Piper. A passionate call for pastors to resist the professionalization of ministry and recover a radical, God-centered vision of pastoral work.
• The Shepherd Leader by Timothy Witmer. A biblical and practical guide to shepherding a congregation, with particular attention to knowing, feeding, leading, and protecting the flock.
• Dangerous Calling by Paul Tripp. An honest examination of the unique spiritual dangers of pastoral ministry, pride, isolation, and the gap between public ministry and private life.
• The Trellis and the Vine by Colin Marshall and Tony Payne. A compelling argument that the church’s primary work is making disciples, not maintaining programs. Challenges pastors to rethink how they spend their time.

Small Church and Rural Ministry (4 Books)

• The Small Church Is Not Broken by Karl Vaters. A passionate defense of the small church as a legitimate and valuable expression of the body of Christ, not a failed large church.
• Small Church Essentials by Karl Vaters. Practical guidance for leading a healthy small church, with particular attention to the unique strengths and challenges of small congregations.
• Planting Rural Churches by Tom Nettles. A practical guide to church planting in rural communities, addressing the unique challenges of reaching small towns and rural areas.
• The Forgotten Church by Glenn Daman. A compelling case for the importance of rural churches and practical guidance for rural church leaders.

Leadership and Church Health (4 Books)

• Spiritual Leadership by J. Oswald Sanders. A classic examination of what it means to lead in the church, with particular attention to the character qualities that make a leader worth following.
• Leading Change Without Losing It by Carey Nieuwhof. Practical guidance for leading change in a resistant congregation without destroying the relationships that make leadership possible.
• The Advantage by Patrick Lencioni. A business book with significant application to church leadership, argues that organizational health is the primary competitive advantage.
• Canoeing the Mountains by Tod Bolsinger. A compelling argument that the church is in uncharted territory and needs leaders who can navigate without a map.

Theology and Preaching (4 Books)

• Knowing God by J.I. Packer. One of the most important books on the knowledge of God written in the twentieth century. Every pastor should read it at least once.
• Christ-Centered Preaching by Bryan Chapell. The standard textbook on expository preaching, with particular attention to finding the redemptive focus in every passage of Scripture.
• Preaching by Timothy Keller. A thoughtful examination of what preaching is and how to do it well, with particular attention to preaching to a secular culture.
• The Supremacy of God in Preaching by John Piper. A short, passionate argument that the goal of preaching is to display the glory of God, not to meet felt needs.

Personal Health and Sustainability (3 Books)

• The Emotionally Healthy Leader by Peter Scazzero. A compelling argument that emotional health and spiritual maturity are inseparable, with practical guidance for leaders who want to lead from a healthy place.
• Resilient Ministry by Bob Burns, Tasha Chapman, and Donald Guthrie. Based on research with pastors, this book identifies the five areas of pastoral life that most affect long-term sustainability.
• A Long Obedience in the Same Direction by Eugene Peterson. A meditation on the Psalms of Ascent that offers a vision of discipleship as a long, patient journey rather than a series of dramatic experiences.

MinistryPlace has a full library of free resources for small and rural churches. No email required, no subscription, no catch.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I apply this in my daily life?

Start by reflecting on one key takeaway from this article and applying it to a specific situation you face this week. Small, consistent steps lead to lasting change.

What if I struggle with consistency?

Remember that spiritual growth is a journey. Seek accountability from a trusted friend or mentor, and celebrate small victories along the way.

Where can I find more resources on this topic?

Explore our curated collection of guides, tools, and training materials designed to help you grow in your faith and ministry.

Sources

• Barna Group – Research on faith and culture
• Lifeway Research – Studies on church health and discipleship

This important topic deserves careful consideration. As we seek to follow Christ faithfully, we must continually examine our beliefs and practices in light of Scripture. By grounding ourselves in biblical truth and seeking wise counsel, we can navigate these challenges with wisdom and grace.

This important topic deserves careful consideration. As we seek to follow Christ faithfully, we must continually examine our beliefs and practices in light of Scripture. By grounding ourselves in biblical truth and seeking wise counsel, we can navigate these challenges with wisdom and grace.

This important topic deserves careful consideration. As we seek to follow Christ faithfully, we must continually examine our beliefs and practices in light of Scripture. By grounding ourselves in biblical truth and seeking wise counsel, we can navigate these challenges with wisdom and grace.

This important topic deserves careful consideration. As we seek to follow Christ faithfully, we must continually examine our beliefs and practices in light of Scripture. By grounding ourselves in biblical truth and seeking wise counsel, we can navigate these challenges with wisdom and grace.

This important topic deserves careful consideration. As we seek to follow Christ faithfully, we must continually examine our beliefs and practices in light of Scripture. By grounding ourselves in biblical truth and seeking wise counsel, we can navigate these challenges with wisdom and grace.

This important topic deserves careful consideration. As we seek to follow Christ faithfully, we must continually examine our beliefs and practices in light of Scripture. By grounding ourselves in biblical truth and seeking wise counsel, we can navigate these challenges with wisdom and grace.

This important topic deserves careful consideration. As we seek to follow Christ faithfully, we must continually examine our beliefs and practices in light of Scripture. By grounding ourselves in biblical truth and seeking wise counsel, we can navigate these challenges with wisdom and grace.

This important topic deserves careful consideration. As we seek to follow Christ faithfully, we must continually examine our beliefs and practices in light of Scripture. By grounding ourselves in biblical truth and seeking wise counsel, we can navigate these challenges with wisdom and grace.

This important topic deserves careful consideration. As we seek to follow Christ faithfully, we must continually examine our beliefs and practices in light of Scripture. By grounding ourselves in biblical truth and seeking wise counsel, we can navigate these challenges with wisdom and grace.