Books

The Best Books I Read in 2013 – Part 2

Here is my list of the best books I read this past year. This is the 2nd part of a list I began a few days ago (The complete list is in alphabetical order.)

Read Part 1 of this post: The Best Books I Read in 2013 – Part 1

The Advantage
by Patrick Lencioni

My friend Sam Brock from Ironwood recommended this book to me after I expressed my inadequacies regarding staff meetings. This is not a Christian resource but a business book that focuses on the primacy of organizational health. He purports that the most important thing any company, non-profit, church or school could do is focus on organizational health. He then goes on to explain what organizational health is and how it can be obtained. My favorite part of the book came at the end when he spoke of the four different types of meetings. (recommend for anyone who must lead a staff)

The Baptist Heritage
by H. Leon McBeth

I know this book is almost 30 years old but I finally read it this past year. This has been the most helpful resource I have come across during my graduate work. If you are a baptist and have not yet read this well researched book, you should. This book has helped me to understand my baptist heritage and grow to appreciate the four hundred years of history we share. (recommended for any baptist, history buffs)

The Grace Awakening
by Charles Swindoll

Again, not the newest book on my shelves, but definitely one of the most important. Written in 1990, this book has inspired a generation of Christian leaders. A proper understanding of grace will change a Christian dramatically. It is by grace that we are saved. It is by grace that we are able to grow in our faith. It is through grace that a ministry can reach a lost and dying world. Only through grace can the Christian world ever stop its constant bickering and learn to love as Christ commanded. I loved this book. (recommended to every Christian, young & old)

The Happiness Advantage
by Shawn Achor

This book is not written as a Christian resource. It is a psychology book written by a former Harvard teacher who specializes in positive psychology. His BIG question is: Does success lead to happiness or does happiness lead to success? Those who are happy seem to accomplish more, live longer, go further, enjoy better relationships and generally live more fulfilling lives that those who are unhappy. I found this a fascinating study int he secular realm that supports MANY Biblical principles. (recommended to every anyone who wants to choose happiness)

The Road Ahead
by Paul Chappell

If you grew up in or are currently part of the “Independent Baptist” movement within Christianity I would highly recommend this book. I personally respect and love the ministry of Lancaster Baptist Church. Chappell leads a Biblically faithful while culturally relevant church that is teeming with evangelistic fervor. In this resource he walks through the history of the independent baptist movement and points to the future with hope and optimism. (recommended to Independent Baptist pastors & staff)

(Disclaimer: Just because I listed a book does not mean I agree with every thought, paragraph, idea and philosophy taught in that book. Just because I named an author doesn’t mean I support everything done in that man’s life, occupation or ministry. Please don’t feel the need to change our friendship status simply because I happened to like a book that you did not. Smile, read, and remain my friend.)

Which of these books have you read? What was the best book you read in 2013? Please Comment Below:

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9 Comments

  • Reply
    Alan
    December 26, 2013 at 9:45 am

    Most of my study books are from Oliver Greene, and John R. Rice. but I do read books that I do not recommend unless they are very sound in bible understanding. One of these books is Gods plan for man & Revelation expounded by Dake. I read books like this to underlined false teaching. The same thing on the Watchtower bunch. I have been dabbing a little into Mormonism. It help me when someone throws something off the wall how to respond. In other words to know were they are coming from were I can give the right response in Gods truths. I have been busy lately and need to pick up were I left off. an get back into witnessing to others as a teacher a long time ago told me Others Lord let this my motto be that I may live for others as Christ lived and died for me. Boy do I fallen short of that one But Gods grace is good.

    • Reply
      Joshua Teis
      December 30, 2013 at 9:42 am

      Alan – I had an older minister give me a tremendous amount of Oliver B Green several years ago. thankful for his investment into my life.

  • Reply
    Gary
    December 26, 2013 at 10:53 am

    We read a lot of Lencioni books in our organization at work. That one i have not read, but may pick it up. One of my favorites of his is “Death by Meeting” 🙂
    I’m going to pick up a copy of The Baptist Heritage. I love reading about Christian history.

    • Reply
      Joshua Teis
      December 30, 2013 at 9:43 am

      Gary, Haven’t read death by meeting yet but I’ve heard that it is wonderful. can’t wait to download a copy

  • Reply
    Ira
    December 26, 2013 at 3:55 pm

    Thanks for sharing your top ten Pastor. I did a lot of reading myself this year, if I’m not mistaken it was a new personal best for me. Of the books I read, a few of my favorites are:
    Things That Aren’t So by Ouellette, Every Man’s Battle by Arterburn & Stoeker, Praxis Beyond Theory by Etzel & Gutierrez, John Believe and Live by Towns, Breaking The Print Sales Barrier by Ebner and See You at the Top by Ziglar
    I’m really looking forward to continuing reading in 2014 as I plan on picking up a few of the books from others in this thread.

    • Reply
      Joshua Teis
      December 30, 2013 at 9:44 am

      Ira – you know I’ve never read zigler – good writer?

      • Reply
        Ira
        December 30, 2013 at 11:42 am

        Zig Ziglar was one of the best salesmen to ever live in my opinion. He was also a believer according to his own testimony as he wrote about many Biblical principals in his books on sales advice. Is he a good author? I think he was a fantastic author and my number one sales mentor. I own a lot of his books if you ever want to borrow any.

  • Reply
    Linda Scott
    December 27, 2013 at 3:16 am

    I also read Grace Awakening and enjoyed it. Another book I read this year was “The land between” by Jeff Manion. He uses the story of the Israelites journey through the desert in which their reactions provide guidance on how to respond to God during our own transitions in the modern world

    • Reply
      Joshua Teis
      December 30, 2013 at 9:44 am

      Grace Awakening was truly amazing. i’ll have to check out Jeff Manion.

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