5 Books Every Pastor Should Read in 2026
I love to read! If you had asked me at 10 years old, “Jordan, do you enjoy reading?” WHAT!?!? “Absolutely not!” I would’ve said! “Just give me a basketball!” But when I went through Seminary, I developed a love for reading. When it comes to theology, philosophy, behavioral science, self-help, business books, I really enjoy them. But there are 5 that I feel are indispensable! Every Pastor Should Read These Five Books! I’ll list them and briefly explain why.
*In no particular order
The Four Disciplines of Execution - Sean Covey *and 3 others
Too many leaders have a big idea, then fall flat when it comes to getting it done. Teams get discouraged when they or their leader can’t get it done. You will rise to your vision and fall to your systems. This book teaches you some frameworks and systems you can use, but of course, in a very principle-based way. To get a training and assessment for pastors on ministry systems and effectiveness, click here for Leverage.
The Process of a Leader - Jordan Biel
Because who cares how big your church gets if a) inside you’re dying of fear, void of peace and feel far from God b) you’re forced to leave ministry due to a moral failure. 7% of all ministry leaders who left ministry in 2024 left due to moral failure! This book teaches you the guardrails you need to stay the course.
Prodigal God and/or Preaching - Tim Keller
He explains how in every crowd, there’s an Older Brother and a Wayward Son. Most preachers only know how to address the wayward son and often leave out the main character of Jesus’ parable, “The Prodigal Son.”
He invites the reformed church into the spontaneous work of the Holy Spirit and also invites the charismatic church (often called Evangelicals) into the sacred rhythms of the ordinances and communal living. So often, Evangelicals only want “the show” and hype of a Sunday morning - leaving the sincerity and self-reflection that is central to community out. Each side of the spectrum has something to offer. Did the early church look so polarized? Or was there room for both? Was there a sacred tension?
Knowing Jesus Through The Old Testament - Christopher Wright
If you don’t keep Jesus and His work on the cross and the empty grave central to everything you do, especially the pulpit, you will drift! This fantastic book reveals the beauty of Jesus’ sacrifice in the Old Testament and inspires pastors to keep the main thing the main thing: Jesus saves us! We can not save ourselves! Any political ranting, soapboxes, and other nonsense is a total drift from the work of Jesus and His Gospel. A book like this reminds us of our unifying truth: Jesus saves!