We asked ministry leaders for the best books they read in 2020. The titles didn’t need to be first published in the year. They just had to have read them in 2020 and identified them as the best books they read this year. So have a look.

Just a few of the titles church leaders names as best books they read in 2020.

Becky Sandberg, board of missions

Gentle and Lowly by Dane Ortlund

The Warmth of Other Suns by Isobel Wilkerson

Ben Panner, college pastor

Enjoying God by Tim Chester

Cheryce Berg, director of children’s ministries

Family Discipleship by Matt Chandler and Adam Griffin

Parenting by Paul David Tripp

Gentle and Lowly by Dane Ortlund

Show Them Jesus by Jack Klumpenhower

The Steward Leader by R. Scott Rodin

Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership by Ruth Haley Barton

Curt Miller, missions pastor

Evidence Not Seen by Darlene Diebler Rose

Dan Hiben, middle school pastor

A Merciful and Faithful High Priest: Studies in the Book of Hebrews by Martyn Lloyd-Jones

I have been reading this set of Lloyd-Jones’ sermons devotionally as I go through the book of Hebrews. It has been very encouraging, pushing me to live out the truths I’m reading.

Eric Channing, pastor of congregational care and family ministries

The Shepherd Leader by Timothy Witmer.

John Stott Biography, vol 1 by Timothy Dudley-Smith

Leading Change by John P. Kotter

Jeremy Taylor, elder

God and the Pandemic by N. T. Wright.

This short book is easy to read in one or two sittings and gives great insight into the appropriate role of the church during a time of crisis. I was particularly struck by Wright’s treatment of Acts 11, where the church in Antioch of Syria responds to the prophecy about an upcoming famine by collecting relief funds for the church in Jerusalem. Rather than looking for a scapegoat or making dire predictions about the end of the world, the church simply asked who would be most affected by the crisis and then decided to act in response. How are we at College Church responding to COVID? Are we looking to point fingers? Are we issuing doomsday proclamations? Or are we identifying those in our community and beyond who are most adversely affected and then finding ways to lovingly show Christ to them? I hope those observing us can see by our actions and our attitudes how much we care for others.

Jon DeLew, board of missions

I really enjoyed Hero of the Empire by Candice Millard which is the historical account of Winston Churchill and his exploits during the Boer War.

Josh Maurer, pastoral resident

Can We Trust the Gospels? by Peter J. Williams

Josh Stringer, pastor of discipleship

Gentle and Lowly by Dane Ortlund Much of the impact of a book in a person’s life depends on the circumstances when he or she reads it. This was the right book at the right time for me.

The Wingfeather Saga by Andrew Peterson (four-book series).

The Care of Souls by Harold L. Senkbeil

Rocket Men: The Daring Odyssey of Apollo 8 and the Astronauts Who Made Man’s First Journey to the Moon by Robert Kurson

The Tech-Wise Family by Andy Crouch

Kat Haase, culture impact committee chair

The Church and Its Vocation: Lesslie Newbigin’s Missionary Ecclesiology by Michael W. Goheen

Evangelism in a Skeptical World by Sam Chan

Lorraine Triggs, nominating committee

Gentle and Lowly by Dane Orlund

Ditto what Josh Stringer said, “right book at the right time for me.” And I read more fiction than non-fiction, so that’s an endorsement in itself.

The Gown by Jennifer Robson

Historical fiction (my true love when it comes to reading) about the women who created and made Queen Elizabeth’s wedding gown.

Mark Bodett, board of missions

Live Not by Lies: A Manual for Christian Dissidents by Rod Dreher

This is a book written to Christians to prepare them for living under “soft” persecution.

Mary Nellessen, deaconess

A book I enjoyed in 2020 is The Lucky Few by Heather Davis. It is an inspiring story of adoption, as Heather and her husband adopted three children—two that have Down syndrome and one whose heritage is Guatemalan-African American. It is an encouragement to me as the mother of two daughters from China.

Mike McKevitt, deacon

Chasing Contentment by Erik Raymond.

The subtitle is “Trusting God in a Discontented Age,” which I’m sure everyone would agree that we live in discontented times. The book is a good reminder that being content doesn’t mean we ignore those problems, but we can nevertheless rest in our sovereign God in the midst of such issues.

Mike Solis, pastoral resident

The Color of Compromise: The Truth about the American Church’s Complicity in Racism by Jemar Tisby

Mindy Rynbrandt, director of women’s ministries

Uncommon Ground: Living Faithfully in a World of Difference by Tim Keller & John Inazu

Humble Roots: How Humility Grounds and Nourishes Your Soul by Hannah Anderson

Hidden Worldviews by Steve Wilkens & Mark Sanford

In His Image: 10 Ways God Calls Us to Reflect His Character by Jen Wilkin

Penny Thrasher, board of missions

Gay Girl, Good God: The Story of Who I Was, and Who God Has Always Been by Jackie Hill Perry

“I used to be a lesbian.” Jackie, with masterful skill, shares her story of coming to faith in Jesus. So refreshingly beautiful!

Randy Jahns, elder

Gentle and Lowly by Dane Ortlund

Tom Paulsen, culture impact committee

The Oracle by Jonathan Cahn

The book is a fascinating look at the intersection of the prophesies related to the children of Israel returning to their homeland and historical events.

Wil Triggs, director of communications

Gentle and Lowly by Dane Ortlund

Evangelism in a Skeptical World by Sam Chan

Zach Fallon, high school pastor

If someone is looking for a new, solid book that offers an introductory level on the biblical storyline I would recommend Unfolding Grace, newly released from Crossway and also the workbook that goes with it. We are planning on using it in Project Discipleship with some of our high school students next semester.