Favorite books of 2009

I want to share with you some of the books I read in 2009 that I found to be excellent and that I would highly recommend to anyone involved in church leadership.

1. Fusion by Nelson Searcy.  This was my favorite book of the year by far and one that should be required reading by every church leader interested in attracting guests to his or her church and maintaining a relationship with them once they have come.  I have recommended it to a number of people who found it as helpful as I told them it would be.
2. Turn Your Life Around by Tim Clinton.  Life doesn't always work out the way we think it should.  When that happens, and it will to each of us, we can begin to lose heart and start down a path of despair and hopelessness.  Even ministers are not exempt from such pain.  This book describes that path and shows the way to healing and wholeness.  Not only will you find this book personally helpful when you become troubled by life's disappointments, you will find it a rich resource when you are ministering to others in that condition.
3. Freakonomics by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner.  The subtitle of this book is A Rogue Economist Explains the Hidden Side of Everything, and that should give you a glimpse of what this book is about.  Levitt asks questions that most people would never think to ask such as "Why do drug dealers still live with their Moms?" and "What do schoolteachers and sumo wrestlers have in common?"  He not only asks such questions, and more, in this book, but he finds answers to them through economics.  It is a fascinating look at our culture, and to be a successful minister today we must be able to exegete our culture as well as exegete the Scriptures.
4. The Amazing Law of Influence by King Duncan.  The author believes that one person can make a difference and that small changes can trigger major transformations.  If you are in a position of leadership I hope you also believe that.  This book shows how to be a person of influence and how to introduce small changes that will make a difference.  It's worth reading the book just to read one story that occurred in the church Duncan attends.  After installing video screens in the sanctuary a lady complained to the pastor, "Reverend, if God were alive today, He would turn over in His grave at the changes in this church!"
5. Wide Awake by Erwin McManus.  Too many people spend their lives sleepwalking.  This book challenges us to wake up, rediscover the dreams God has for our lives, and begin to live out those dreams.  McManus challenges the reader to realize that the future is not waiting for us; it is waiting within us.  We need to begin each day excited and determined to fulfill the purpose for which we were created. 

I read many other good books this year, but these are my top five for 2009.  I think you'll find they will not only benefit you personally, but they will also give you some important ministry insights that you will find helpful as you lead your church in the coming year.  If you decide to read any of them, please let us know your thoughts on the book.