BEST BOOKS 2022

We asked ministry staff and elected leaders to share favorite books they read in 2022. Here is the complete list.

Josue Alvarado, pastoral resident

The Cross of Christ by John Stott

Stott helps us to see how the cross is central to the gospel in a profound but simple way.

Cheryce Berg, director of children’s ministries

Holier Than Thou by Jackie Hill Perry

Jackie writes, “[B]ecause God is holy, all that He says is true and all that He does is good....Hear this: God’s words and works can be trusted because it is impossible for God to sin against you.”

Mark Berg, elder

Beyond Entrepreneurship 2.0 by Jim Collins

Classic business book—profound concepts made accessible and applicable

O Jerusalem by Laurie King

Fiction, 1920s, Sherlock Homes & Mary Russell

Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir

Science fiction—very creative

No Little People by Francis Schaeffer

A collection of Schaeffer sermons—a classic

Jay Cunningham, deacon

Created to Flourish by Peter Greer

This book opened my eyes even more to the amazing impact that Hope International (and other micro finance organizations) have had by helping the poorest of the poor to get lifted out of poverty by creating very small businesses. Trust groups, populated mostly by women, serve to not only teach simple skills like saving and investing, but also are the central place where the gospel is shared and lives are changed. This is a strongly hopeful book.

This Land of Snow: A Journey Across the North in Winter by Anders Morley

This memoir of a young man’s cross-country ski trip from the Pacific Coast of British Columbia to Central Canada was a fascinating read. The writing is strong, and the use of language and analogy is captivating. I was excited to read a book by a fellow Taylor University grad...but I was disappointed in the end to learn that Morley no longer believes in God and much of the book’s introspective nature tended toward selfishness and how others had disappointed him in his life. He also had a patronizing view of women. But if you like snow or skiing or nature...there’s a lot in here that is beautiful.

Affirming the Apostles’ Creed by J.I. Packer

This delightful, short book is well worth a read. Packer provides the history of this central Christian creed, breaking each line into a jam-packed theological package of the wonders
of God. This book helped really appreciate what we recite at College Church on a Sunday morning, and taught me how creeds are one key way to pass down theological truths from generation to generation.

Patrick Fallon, deacon

You Can Trust God to Write Your Story: Embracing the Mysteries of Providence by Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth and Robert Wolgemuth

Wonderfully moving stories of how God can and does work through the biggest challenges of live.

A Dozen Things God Did with Your Sin and Three Things He’ll Never Do by Sam Storms

Do you ever question your salvation? Read this book to learn more deeply what God has done for you!

Randy Jahns, elder

Strange New World by Carl R. Trueman

The Lord’s Work in the Lord’s Way and No Little People by Francis A Schaeffer

Ken Heulitt

Galatians by Martin Luther

This is central to Luther’s transformative understanding of grace in Christ. Theodore Graebner’s translation/abridgement (GLH Publishing) is
powerful and lively.

My Name is Asher Lev by Chaim Potok

Potok has many superb stories of orthodox Jewish young men coming to adulthood. Asher Lev is an artistic genius who is conflicted between his artistic passions and his orthodox faith.

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

I’m thankful to return to this delightful story after many years. It truly is a classic.

Amy Kruis, deaconess

The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936
Berlin Olympics by Daniel James Brown

Everything Sad Is Untrue: (a true story) by Daniel Nayeri

Blessed: Experiencing the Promise of the Book of Revelation by Nancy Guthrie

Elizabeth Larsen, evangelism and culture impact committee

Faithfully Different by Natasha Crain

Ann Lawrenz, deaconess

Ten Words To Live by Jen Wilkin

An in-depth look at the Ten Commandments by one of my favorite Christian writers. As Jen states lawfulness is Christlikeness.

Jesus the King: Understanding the Life and Death of the Son of God by Tim Keller

I read this book as an accompaniment to my reading of the gospel of Mark this summer.

Jack by Marilynne Robinson

The fourth book in Robinson’s Gilead series addresses racism and inequality and its effect on the lives of Jack Boughton and Della Miles.

A Week In the Life of a Roman Centurion by Gary Burge

First century Capernaum is the setting for this historical depiction of the life of a Roman centurion, his slave Tullus and his encounter with Jesus.

Sarah Lindquist, evangelism & culture impact committee

What to Say When: The Complete New Guide to Discussing Abortion by Shawn Carney and Steve Karlen

Very clear, easy read. Appreciated listening to authors answer audience questions https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kCg0nz61NLs

A Church Called TOV: Forming a Goodness Culture by Laura Barringer and Scot McKnight

Josh Maurer, pastor of discipleship

The Genesis of Gender: A Christian Theory by Abigail Favale

Embodied: Transgender Identities, the Church, and What the Bible Has to Say by Preston Sprinkle

Evangelism as Exiles: Life on Mission as Strangers in Our Own Land by Elliot Clark

A Theology of Paul and His Letters: The Gift of the New Realm in Christ by Douglas Moo

Richard Moomjian, pastoral resident

The God of the Garden by Andrew Peterson

Sarah Nelson, deaconess

The Word Is Murder by Anthony Horowitz

I enjoy this author. He gives clues to the murder that give him humor, and entertains and helps me be part of solving who the killer is.

The Wright Brothers by David McCullough

I enjoy this author. When he passed away, I wanted to enjoy one of his books. McCullough knows how to tell
a good story.

Jeff Oslund, elder

Letters to My Students by Charles Hadden Spurgeon

Spiritual Leadership by J. Oswald Sanders

Everyday Holiness: Becoming Who You Were Made to Be by Josh Moody

Born Again This Way by Rachel Gilson

Harry Robinson, board of missions

Amazed by Jesus by Simon Ponsonby

After 30 years in ministry, Simon Ponsonby found himself asking the question, “Do I love Jesus, or do I just work for him?” Somehow in the midst of faithful and busy ministry he reflects that his awe for the Savior became blurred. This book points us to Jesus in a refreshing way, and certainly led me to once again be “Amazed by Jesus.”

Melinda Rynbrandt, director of women’s ministries

The End of the Christian Life: How Embracing our Mortality Frees us To Truly Live by J. Todd Billings

David Setran, elder

Suffering: Gospel Hope When Life Doesn’t Make Sense by Paul Tripp

An Infinite Journey: Growing Toward Christlikeness by Andrew Davis

Simple Discipleship: Grow Your Faith, Transform Your Community by Dana Allin

With All Your Heart: Orienting Your Mind, Desires, and Will Toward Christ by A. Craig Troxel

Suzanne Shirley, midweek morning superintendent (Kids Korner)

Made for More by Hannah Anderson

You’re Not Enough (and that’s ok) by Allie Beth Stuckey

When the Day Comes by Gabrielle Meyer

Tanglewood Secrets by Patricia St. John

Nancy Singer, director of administration and finance

Faith Based Fraud by Warren Cole Smith

Fraud happens all around us, but as Christians, we generally think that it won’t happen in the world of Christ followers. Time and time again, Christian leaders all around us perpetrate fraud against the Christ-followers in their churches as well as in the general public. Reading what has happened in the past can help us prevent such frauds in the future.

Carol Taylor, deaconess

Still Life and the entire Inspector Gamache series by Louise Penny

I am one book away from listening to the entire soon to be 18 book series, having just starred in July. I’m hooked!

Wil Triggs director of communications

Do You Pray? by J. C. Ryle

This is the book my small group is studying now—really enjoy our discussion.

Wisdom of the Ancients by Bryan Liftin

Another title I read in community—this time with the summer book group.

The Heart in Pilgrimage by Leland Ryken