Top 10 Books Church Leaders Should Be Reading in 2026

Well, you know, it's easier to scroll Well, you know, it's easier to scroll than it is to read a book these days. than it is to read a book these days. than it is to read a book these days. And I feel the drift away from the And I feel the drift away from the And I feel the drift away from the discipline of reading as well. But I discipline of reading as well. But I discipline of reading as well. But I also know that reading gives you the also know that reading gives you the also know that reading gives you the ability to access long- form thinking ability to access long- form thinking ability to access long- form thinking like no other discipline. And that's why like no other discipline. And that's why like no other discipline. And that's why it's so important to me and I think it it's so important to me and I think it it's so important to me and I think it should be for every leader. So you live should be for every leader. So you live should be for every leader. So you live in an age, I live in an age where in an age, I live in an age where in an age, I live in an age where attention spans are getting shorter. But attention spans are getting shorter. But attention spans are getting shorter. But here's what happens when you read. you here's what happens when you read. you here's what happens when you read. you end up stretching your brain and end up stretching your brain and end up stretching your brain and increasingly your intellectual increasingly your intellectual increasingly your intellectual resilience grows and that happens from resilience grows and that happens from resilience grows and that happens from reading actual books. So today I am reading actual books. So today I am reading actual books. So today I am counting down my top 10 books of 2025. counting down my top 10 books of 2025. counting down my top 10 books of 2025. These are the ones that challenged me, These are the ones that challenged me, These are the ones that challenged me, inspired me and helped change the way I inspired me and helped change the way I inspired me and helped change the way I think. Some of them even changed my think. Some of them even changed my think. Some of them even changed my life. Uh I think some of these will life. Uh I think some of these will life. Uh I think some of these will stretch your mind. Others will stir your stretch your mind. Others will stir your stretch your mind. Others will stir your heart. And a few might even make you a heart. And a few might even make you a heart. And a few might even make you a little uncomfortable in the best little uncomfortable in the best little uncomfortable in the best possible way. So whether you lead a possible way. So whether you lead a possible way. So whether you lead a team, a church, a business, or you're team, a church, a business, or you're team, a church, a business, or you're just trying to lead yourself better, I just trying to lead yourself better, I just trying to lead yourself better, I think you'll find a few gems here that think you'll find a few gems here that think you'll find a few gems here that you'll want to pick up right away. This you'll want to pick up right away. This you'll want to pick up right away. This is completely subjective. These are my is completely subjective. These are my is completely subjective. These are my top 10. Not all of them were written in top 10. Not all of them were written in top 10. Not all of them were written in 2025. Uh but hey, that's fine. So let's 2025. Uh but hey, that's fine. So let's 2025. Uh but hey, that's fine. So let's dive in. [music] Number 10, Andrew Melon's Unstuff Your Number 10, Andrew Melon's Unstuff Your Life. I love this book. He has a revised Life. I love this book. He has a revised Life. I love this book. He has a revised second edition. So, I revisited this second edition. So, I revisited this second edition. So, I revisited this book again in 2025. I had read it book again in 2025. I had read it book again in 2025. I had read it originally maybe eight or nine years originally maybe eight or nine years originally maybe eight or nine years ago. And what is it about? Well, it's ago. And what is it about? Well, it's ago. And what is it about? Well, it's really about straightening up your

really about straightening up your really about straightening up your physical environment like your house, physical environment like your house, physical environment like your house, your office. Okay? I cannot think your office. Okay? I cannot think your office. Okay? I cannot think straight if things are out of order. And straight if things are out of order. And straight if things are out of order. And I have no desire to work that out in I have no desire to work that out in I have no desire to work that out in therapy. I just want everything neat and therapy. I just want everything neat and therapy. I just want everything neat and tidy. So, I've lived by it, like I said, tidy. So, I've lived by it, like I said, tidy. So, I've lived by it, like I said, for almost a decade. And now the second for almost a decade. And now the second for almost a decade. And now the second edition kind of brings it up to date edition kind of brings it up to date edition kind of brings it up to date with digital clutter. So you want to with digital clutter. So you want to with digital clutter. So you want to read it? Here's to parking your car read it? Here's to parking your car read it? Here's to parking your car inside the garage in 2026. I finally got inside the garage in 2026. I finally got inside the garage in 2026. I finally got my cars inside the garage after reading my cars inside the garage after reading my cars inside the garage after reading it the first time. All right. Number it the first time. All right. Number it the first time. All right. Number nine, Bad Thoughts. This is where Judah nine, Bad Thoughts. This is where Judah nine, Bad Thoughts. This is where Judah Smith and his therapist, Dr. Les Parrot, Smith and his therapist, Dr. Les Parrot, Smith and his therapist, Dr. Les Parrot, come together and they write a preacher come together and they write a preacher come together and they write a preacher and a shrinks guide to reclaiming your and a shrinks guide to reclaiming your and a shrinks guide to reclaiming your mind and soul. I had Judah and Less on mind and soul. I had Judah and Less on mind and soul. I had Judah and Less on my podcast when the book released and I my podcast when the book released and I my podcast when the book released and I learned the average person has 60,000 learned the average person has 60,000 learned the average person has 60,000 thoughts a day. And get this, 80% of thoughts a day. And get this, 80% of thoughts a day. And get this, 80% of them are negative. So, this book them are negative. So, this book them are negative. So, this book provides guidance on how to break the provides guidance on how to break the provides guidance on how to break the cycle of negative thoughts that a whole cycle of negative thoughts that a whole cycle of negative thoughts that a whole lot of church leaders struggle with. lot of church leaders struggle with. lot of church leaders struggle with. Think you'll like it. Number eight, The Think you'll like it. Number eight, The Think you'll like it. Number eight, The Coming Wave. This is about technology, Coming Wave. This is about technology, Coming Wave. This is about technology, power, and the 21st century's greatest power, and the 21st century's greatest power, and the 21st century's greatest dilemma. It's by Mustafa Sullyman. So, dilemma. It's by Mustafa Sullyman. So, dilemma. It's by Mustafa Sullyman. So, I've been doing a lot of research for my I've been doing a lot of research for my I've been doing a lot of research for my next book, which comes out in 2026, on next book, which comes out in 2026, on next book, which comes out in 2026, on artificial intelligence and its impact artificial intelligence and its impact artificial intelligence and its impact on society and the church. And after on society and the church. And after on society and the church. And after reading a ton about AI this year, I reading a ton about AI this year, I reading a ton about AI this year, I cannot recommend this book for leaders cannot recommend this book for leaders cannot recommend this book for leaders highly enough. It's great for any highly enough. It's great for any highly enough. It's great for any industry, including church leaders. It's industry, including church leaders. It's industry, including church leaders. It's pretty eyepopping and it looks at the pretty eyepopping and it looks at the pretty eyepopping and it looks at the potential impact of AI and the potential impact of AI and the potential impact of AI and the challenges ahead for humanity. I wish it

challenges ahead for humanity. I wish it challenges ahead for humanity. I wish it was all good news. Unfortunately, it's was all good news. Unfortunately, it's was all good news. Unfortunately, it's not. So, even if you think you have an not. So, even if you think you have an not. So, even if you think you have an idea of how AI is going to impact your idea of how AI is going to impact your idea of how AI is going to impact your world, you should really grab this copy world, you should really grab this copy world, you should really grab this copy because I think what you'll find inside because I think what you'll find inside because I think what you'll find inside is surprising. Number seven, The Problem is surprising. Number seven, The Problem is surprising. Number seven, The Problem of Life by Mark Clark. How to find of Life by Mark Clark. How to find of Life by Mark Clark. How to find identity, purpose, and joy in a identity, purpose, and joy in a identity, purpose, and joy in a disenchanted world. So, Mark's one of my disenchanted world. So, Mark's one of my disenchanted world. So, Mark's one of my good friends, but I am sharing this book good friends, but I am sharing this book good friends, but I am sharing this book not because Mark is great, he is, but not because Mark is great, he is, but not because Mark is great, he is, but because the book is fantastic. Mark has because the book is fantastic. Mark has because the book is fantastic. Mark has a unique voice. He's funny. He's street a unique voice. He's funny. He's street a unique voice. He's funny. He's street smart. He's utterly scholarly. And I smart. He's utterly scholarly. And I smart. He's utterly scholarly. And I think he's a fresh voice in apologetics. think he's a fresh voice in apologetics. think he's a fresh voice in apologetics. Plus, he's impossible not to listen to. Plus, he's impossible not to listen to. Plus, he's impossible not to listen to. So, if you're looking for a fresh So, if you're looking for a fresh So, if you're looking for a fresh approach to how to share your faith, I approach to how to share your faith, I approach to how to share your faith, I think Mark brings a lot of perspective. think Mark brings a lot of perspective. think Mark brings a lot of perspective. Make sure you check that out. Number Make sure you check that out. Number Make sure you check that out. Number six, rediscovering Jonah, the secret of six, rediscovering Jonah, the secret of six, rediscovering Jonah, the secret of God's mercy by Tim Keller. Now, I am a God's mercy by Tim Keller. Now, I am a God's mercy by Tim Keller. Now, I am a runner in terms of tending to run away runner in terms of tending to run away runner in terms of tending to run away from God and relationships. And this from God and relationships. And this from God and relationships. And this book on Jonah reads my mail. Even book on Jonah reads my mail. Even book on Jonah reads my mail. Even better, Keller's thorough understanding better, Keller's thorough understanding better, Keller's thorough understanding and explanation of the historic setting and explanation of the historic setting and explanation of the historic setting of the book of Jonah is pretty eye of the book of Jonah is pretty eye of the book of Jonah is pretty eye openening. Even if you went to seminary, openening. Even if you went to seminary, openening. Even if you went to seminary, I learned all kinds of things I didn't I learned all kinds of things I didn't I learned all kinds of things I didn't know about Assyria, and you know, now I know about Assyria, and you know, now I know about Assyria, and you know, now I need to preach Jonah again. So, if need to preach Jonah again. So, if need to preach Jonah again. So, if you've been a church leader for years, you've been a church leader for years, you've been a church leader for years, this take on the story is probably going this take on the story is probably going this take on the story is probably going to give you a fresh perspective and to give you a fresh perspective and to give you a fresh perspective and answer questions you didn't even know answer questions you didn't even know answer questions you didn't even know you had. And maybe it will inspire you you had. And maybe it will inspire you you had. And maybe it will inspire you to do a Jonah sermon series this coming to do a Jonah sermon series this coming to do a Jonah sermon series this coming year. I It really is inspiring me to get year. I It really is inspiring me to get year. I It really is inspiring me to get back in the book. Number five, The Art back in the book. Number five, The Art back in the book. Number five, The Art of Spending Money: Simple Choices for a of Spending Money: Simple Choices for a of Spending Money: Simple Choices for a Richer Life by Morgan Hel. I love

Richer Life by Morgan Hel. I love Richer Life by Morgan Hel. I love everything Morgan Hustell has written. everything Morgan Hustell has written. everything Morgan Hustell has written. He's written three books. His latest He's written three books. His latest He's written three books. His latest book is a refreshing perspective on book is a refreshing perspective on book is a refreshing perspective on really I think he could have called it really I think he could have called it really I think he could have called it The Art of Finding Contentment and The Art of Finding Contentment and The Art of Finding Contentment and Happiness, but it's about money and Happiness, but it's about money and Happiness, but it's about money and where contentment comes from. His where contentment comes from. His where contentment comes from. His sources are so fresh. I mean, I read sources are so fresh. I mean, I read sources are so fresh. I mean, I read pretty widely. I haven't heard most of pretty widely. I haven't heard most of pretty widely. I haven't heard most of the quotes and none of the stories that the quotes and none of the stories that the quotes and none of the stories that he shares. So, you're going to find that he shares. So, you're going to find that he shares. So, you're going to find that a really fresh take. Number four, Matt a really fresh take. Number four, Matt a really fresh take. Number four, Matt Smithhurst book called Tim Keller on the Smithhurst book called Tim Keller on the Smithhurst book called Tim Keller on the Christian life, the transforming power Christian life, the transforming power Christian life, the transforming power of the gospel. I know two Keller's on of the gospel. I know two Keller's on of the gospel. I know two Keller's on the list. Hey, I'm a Keller devote, but the list. Hey, I'm a Keller devote, but the list. Hey, I'm a Keller devote, but this book really is gold. If you want to this book really is gold. If you want to this book really is gold. If you want to understand Tim Keller's mind and understand Tim Keller's mind and understand Tim Keller's mind and particularly his preaching and his particularly his preaching and his particularly his preaching and his thought life, that's what this book thought life, that's what this book thought life, that's what this book outlines. It was so helpful that I had outlines. It was so helpful that I had outlines. It was so helpful that I had Matt join me on the podcast. So, you Matt join me on the podcast. So, you Matt join me on the podcast. So, you want to check it out. He has listened to want to check it out. He has listened to want to check it out. He has listened to and studied more hours of Tim Keller's and studied more hours of Tim Keller's and studied more hours of Tim Keller's preaching and teaching than almost preaching and teaching than almost preaching and teaching than almost anyone except perhaps Tim's wife Kathy. anyone except perhaps Tim's wife Kathy. anyone except perhaps Tim's wife Kathy. Okay. This book breaks down what makes Okay. This book breaks down what makes Okay. This book breaks down what makes Keller's preaching so effective. A must Keller's preaching so effective. A must Keller's preaching so effective. A must readad for any church leader. Okay.

readad for any church leader. Okay. readad for any church leader. Okay. Before you go to the top three, I want Before you go to the top three, I want Before you go to the top three, I want to share my two most recent best-selling to share my two most recent best-selling to share my two most recent best-selling books that I wrote. Like I said, I'm books that I wrote. Like I said, I'm books that I wrote. Like I said, I'm working on another one, but these are working on another one, but these are working on another one, but these are the ones you can get today. Didn't see the ones you can get today. Didn't see the ones you can get today. Didn't see it coming. So I wrote that book about it coming. So I wrote that book about it coming. So I wrote that book about the seven challenges that few of us the seven challenges that few of us the seven challenges that few of us expect but everybody experiences. Stuff expect but everybody experiences. Stuff expect but everybody experiences. Stuff like cynicism and compromise, like cynicism and compromise, like cynicism and compromise, disconnectedness, irrelevance, pride, disconnectedness, irrelevance, pride, disconnectedness, irrelevance, pride, burnout, and my favorite, emptiness. burnout, and my favorite, emptiness. burnout, and my favorite, emptiness. Okay. If you already feel stuck in Okay. If you already feel stuck in Okay. If you already feel stuck in leadership, you're like, "How come this leadership, you're like, "How come this leadership, you're like, "How come this is harder than I thought it would be?" is harder than I thought it would be?" is harder than I thought it would be?" That's what didn't see it coming. All That's what didn't see it coming. All That's what didn't see it coming. All the soft stuff in leadership you didn't the soft stuff in leadership you didn't the soft stuff in leadership you didn't see coming is there to address. So, if see coming is there to address. So, if see coming is there to address. So, if you need to find a way out and forward you need to find a way out and forward you need to find a way out and forward into a more powerful and vibrant future, into a more powerful and vibrant future, into a more powerful and vibrant future, I think this book can help you. So, the I think this book can help you. So, the I think this book can help you. So, the second book I wrote is called At Your second book I wrote is called At Your second book I wrote is called At Your Best. It's my latest one. And if you're Best. It's my latest one. And if you're Best. It's my latest one. And if you're tired of being stressed, overwhelmed, tired of being stressed, overwhelmed, tired of being stressed, overwhelmed, and feeling burnt out, this book is all and feeling burnt out, this book is all and feeling burnt out, this book is all about getting time, energy, and about getting time, energy, and about getting time, energy, and priorities working in your favor. So, priorities working in your favor. So, priorities working in your favor. So, what you'll get inside is my recipe for what you'll get inside is my recipe for what you'll get inside is my recipe for recovery from burnout. I burned out recovery from burnout. I burned out recovery from burnout. I burned out almost 20 years ago and um this book almost 20 years ago and um this book almost 20 years ago and um this book will show you the exact system that will show you the exact system that will show you the exact system that actually I developed it personally for actually I developed it personally for actually I developed it personally for me and then I realized this works for me and then I realized this works for me and then I realized this works for everybody. Trained over 100,000 leaders everybody. Trained over 100,000 leaders everybody. Trained over 100,000 leaders in it around the world and it just in it around the world and it just in it around the world and it just works. So if you want to start thriving works. So if you want to start thriving works. So if you want to start thriving with your time, energy, and priorities with your time, energy, and priorities with your time, energy, and priorities at work and at home, pick up a copy of at work and at home, pick up a copy of at work and at home, pick up a copy of At Your Best. Both are available in most At Your Best. Both are available in most At Your Best. Both are available in most bookstores and I've also got the links bookstores and I've also got the links bookstores and I've also got the links for them to Amazon. So just click the for them to Amazon. So just click the for them to Amazon. So just click the link and uh that'll take you right to link and uh that'll take you right to link and uh that'll take you right to it. Number three, when hurting people

it. Number three, when hurting people it. Number three, when hurting people come to church, how people of faith can come to church, how people of faith can come to church, how people of faith can help solve the mental health crisis. help solve the mental health crisis. help solve the mental health crisis. This one's by Shanti Feldhan and Dr. This one's by Shanti Feldhan and Dr. This one's by Shanti Feldhan and Dr. James Cells. So, this book is not on my James Cells. So, this book is not on my James Cells. So, this book is not on my list because I wrote the forward. I list because I wrote the forward. I list because I wrote the forward. I wrote the forward to it because it's a wrote the forward to it because it's a wrote the forward to it because it's a fantastic book that I feel like I needed fantastic book that I feel like I needed fantastic book that I feel like I needed when I was in ministry, but it wasn't when I was in ministry, but it wasn't when I was in ministry, but it wasn't there. So, this is a new release and we there. So, this is a new release and we there. So, this is a new release and we are, as you know, no shock, in a mental are, as you know, no shock, in a mental are, as you know, no shock, in a mental health emergency, and it can leave you health emergency, and it can leave you health emergency, and it can leave you feeling completely overwhelmed, right? feeling completely overwhelmed, right? feeling completely overwhelmed, right? like how do I care for the needs and the like how do I care for the needs and the like how do I care for the needs and the crushing demands of pastoral care? So crushing demands of pastoral care? So crushing demands of pastoral care? So Shanti Feldon and Dr. James Cells offer Shanti Feldon and Dr. James Cells offer Shanti Feldon and Dr. James Cells offer a practical powerful alternative to how a practical powerful alternative to how a practical powerful alternative to how pastoral care can be done in the local pastoral care can be done in the local pastoral care can be done in the local church. All of this can be done without church. All of this can be done without church. All of this can be done without crushing you or referring everybody out crushing you or referring everybody out crushing you or referring everybody out to therapists. So I think it's a to therapists. So I think it's a to therapists. So I think it's a brilliant book. You should definitely brilliant book. You should definitely brilliant book. You should definitely put that in your library. Number two, put that in your library. Number two, put that in your library. Number two, The Art of Asking Better Questions. This The Art of Asking Better Questions. This The Art of Asking Better Questions. This one's by Jr. Briggs and so few people one's by Jr. Briggs and so few people one's by Jr. Briggs and so few people actually even ask questions today and actually even ask questions today and actually even ask questions today and fewer still ask even great questions, fewer still ask even great questions, fewer still ask even great questions, right? Like when was the last time you right? Like when was the last time you right? Like when was the last time you were in a riveting conversation because were in a riveting conversation because were in a riveting conversation because it was like a ping-pong match of people it was like a ping-pong match of people it was like a ping-pong match of people going back and forth. So this book is going back and forth. So this book is going back and forth. So this book is the best book on question asking I've the best book on question asking I've the best book on question asking I've ever read. So why should you read it?

ever read. So why should you read it? ever read. So why should you read it? Because the best leaders ask the best Because the best leaders ask the best Because the best leaders ask the best questions. That's why. All right. My top questions. That's why. All right. My top questions. That's why. All right. My top book that I read in 2025, Winning the book that I read in 2025, Winning the book that I read in 2025, Winning the War in Your Mind: Change Your Thinking, War in Your Mind: Change Your Thinking, War in Your Mind: Change Your Thinking, Change Your Life by Craig Gchell. So, Change Your Life by Craig Gchell. So, Change Your Life by Craig Gchell. So, this book was the most influential book this book was the most influential book this book was the most influential book I read. I actually reread it this year, I read. I actually reread it this year, I read. I actually reread it this year, and I took it with me on a vacation, and and I took it with me on a vacation, and and I took it with me on a vacation, and I sat down on the beach and worked I sat down on the beach and worked I sat down on the beach and worked through it. Craig's book really helped through it. Craig's book really helped through it. Craig's book really helped me diagnose some very intense stress I me diagnose some very intense stress I me diagnose some very intense stress I had been experiencing. I read the book had been experiencing. I read the book had been experiencing. I read the book when it first came out, but revisiting when it first came out, but revisiting when it first came out, but revisiting it, I realized I've had 29 different it, I realized I've had 29 different it, I realized I've had 29 different stressors in 14 months. I did a whole stressors in 14 months. I did a whole stressors in 14 months. I did a whole episode on my podcast about it. I'm sure episode on my podcast about it. I'm sure episode on my podcast about it. I'm sure that link is below as well. You can that link is below as well. You can that link is below as well. You can check it out. But it was Craig that check it out. But it was Craig that check it out. But it was Craig that helped me diagnose that. So, between the helped me diagnose that. So, between the helped me diagnose that. So, between the 29 stressors and some health challenges 29 stressors and some health challenges 29 stressors and some health challenges I had this year was probably my hardest I had this year was probably my hardest I had this year was probably my hardest year in leadership in two decades. So, year in leadership in two decades. So, year in leadership in two decades. So, picking up this book was one of the picking up this book was one of the picking up this book was one of the first steps in processing all of that first steps in processing all of that first steps in processing all of that stress. And when I was done, found stress. And when I was done, found stress. And when I was done, found myself I find myself right now in a way myself I find myself right now in a way myself I find myself right now in a way healthier place, a way happier place.

healthier place, a way happier place. healthier place, a way happier place. And so this is a classic that has And so this is a classic that has And so this is a classic that has deservedly sold over, are you ready for deservedly sold over, are you ready for deservedly sold over, are you ready for this? 850,000 copies on its way to a this? 850,000 copies on its way to a this? 850,000 copies on its way to a million. And uh if you haven't read it, million. And uh if you haven't read it, million. And uh if you haven't read it, you should pick that one up. So there you should pick that one up. So there you should pick that one up. So there you have it. My top 10 books of 2025, you have it. My top 10 books of 2025, you have it. My top 10 books of 2025, all linked in the description below. I'd all linked in the description below. I'd all linked in the description below. I'd love to know which ones you've read or love to know which ones you've read or love to know which ones you've read or which your favorite book of the year has which your favorite book of the year has which your favorite book of the year has been. like, drop it in the comments. I been. like, drop it in the comments. I been. like, drop it in the comments. I always get recommendations from you always get recommendations from you always get recommendations from you guys. And if you find this helpful, guys. And if you find this helpful, guys. And if you find this helpful, don't forget to hit like and subscribe. don't forget to hit like and subscribe. don't forget to hit like and subscribe. Maybe share it with a friend as well and Maybe share it with a friend as well and Maybe share it with a friend as well and find out what they enjoyed reading find out what they enjoyed reading find out what they enjoyed reading because leaders love sharing that kind because leaders love sharing that kind because leaders love sharing that kind of stuff. So, if you want to go even of stuff. So, if you want to go even of stuff. So, if you want to go even deeper on leadership, mindset, and deeper on leadership, mindset, and deeper on leadership, mindset, and personal growth, check out my free personal growth, check out my free personal growth, check out my free resources and the podcasts linked below. resources and the podcasts linked below. resources and the podcasts linked below. Thanks for watching and here's to your Thanks for watching and here's to your Thanks for watching and here's to your best year yet in life and leadership.