Our Pastors' Top Three List

The following is a list of each of our pastoral staff’s top three most influential books they've read recently. These book titles along with a brief summation will provide a glimpse into some of our favorite authors and writings.

Pastor Steve Walker:

	"The Holiness of God"  by R.C. Sproul This book literally pulled back the curtain on God’s heavenly throne room revealing the majesty and fearsome holiness of our God. I’ve never lost my sense of awe of God after reading this book in 1985. It is still considered a classic today.
	"Follow Me"  by Jan Hettinga The author gives a most compelling explanation of why the Christian life is a one of following Jesus and not just believing in Jesus. He explains the difference and exposes the fearful reality that many who think they are disciples of Christ are really no more than just admirers of Christ. Jesus isn’t looking for admirers.
	"Christianity for Modern Pagans"  by Peter Kreeft Although the author is a Catholic, his book is a wonderful look at the writings of the amazing 17th century philosopher, scientist, and Christian apologist – Blaise Pascal. There may not be a better work at explaining why Christianity is the most reasonable, necessary, and logical system of beliefs in human history. Pascal deconstructs every major argument that paganism and atheism use to reject God and shows how dishonest they are.

Pastor Keith Batchelor

	"The Tabernacle - Camping with God"  by Stephen F. Olford A fascinating study of the purpose and significance of the various components of the Old Testament Tabernacle and how every single detail points to the glory of Christ. Every piece of furniture, color, and type of material was chosen by God with one thing in mind. If you like Bible history, you’ll love this.
	"Sundar Singh - Footprints Over the Mountains"  by Janet Benge This is an awe-inspiring, challenging and encouraging biography of a little known missionary to India. It’s about his heart wrenching trials, triumphs and ministry including walking bare foot over the mountains to bring the gospel to remote villages. One of the best biographies I have read.
	"Spiritual Gems from the Greek"  by Rick Renner A daily devotional revealing the in-depth meaning of God's Word by interpreting key words from the Greek. Includes a daily practical application and prayer.

 

Pastor Larry Williams

	"The Barbarian Way"  by Erwin McManus The Barbarian Way is a call to escape "civilized" Christianity and become original, powerful, untamed Christians-just as Christ intended.
	"Unveiled at Last"  by Bob Sjogren Read your Bible as one book with one introduction, one story, and one conclusion. Discover a unifying theme woven throughout the Scriptures from Genesis to Revelation unveiling God's purpose for you in a fresh new way!
	"Tale of Three Kings-A Study in Brokenness"  by Gene Edwards Unfairly persecuted by a mad king at the beginning of his reign and a vengeful son near the end of his rule, David trusted God and submitted completely to his authority. This powerful retelling of the biblical story of Saul, David, and Absalom has profoundly touched thousands of Christians who've been hurt by the unfair treatment of other believers---and will touch your heart, too.

 

 

Pastor Bryan Bouma

	"Fresh Wind Fresh Fire" by Jim Cymbala Jim Cymbala shares the lessons he learned when the Spirit of God ignited his heart and began to move in his Church. A great reminder that God is in control of every circumstance and He will work everything out for His glory.
	"The Ragamuffin Gospel"  by Brennan Manning (more impactful because of when I read it) The author writes about God’s grace and the fact that we are just “ragamuffins” and don’t deserve God. Despite this truth, God allows us to sit at his feet and better yet God smiles down on us whom he chose to give his unconditional love.
	"The Cost of Discipleship"  by Dietrich Bonhoeffer It rocked my world about the sacrifice of self in order to be a disciple. I read this book with a small group of friends for fun. It ended up being a very very slow read as the pages were thick with teaching about what it really means to follow Christ.

 

 

Pastor Ben Marshall

	"The Godly Man’s Picture"  by Thomas Watson Few preachers in the Puritan era (or any other period of church history) match Thomas Watson for his ability to combine rich spirituality, nourishing doctrine and sane wisdom with fascinating illustrations and pleasant style. This work shows how attractive the grace of God is. As his sub-title suggests, Watson works with “a Scripture pencil” in this priceless sketch of the true believer.
	"Humility"  by C.J. Mahaney C. J. Mahaney raises a battle cry to daily, diligently, and deliberately weaken our greatest enemy (pride) and cultivate our greatest friend (humility). His thorough examination clarifies misconceptions, revealing the truth about why God detests pride and turns His active attention to the humble. Because pride is never passive, defeating it demands an intentional attack. The blessing that follows is God’s abundant favor.
	"The Gospel for Real Life"  by Jerry Bridges Jerry Bridges maintains that the answer to experiencing the gospel's liberating power in lives is not to try a little harder, but to know more fully the incredible work of Christ on the cross-and to live in a more vital awareness of that grace day by day. For without a knowledge of the depth of our sin, we cannot experience "the unsearchable riches of Christ" that are available to us in the gospel. The gospel is not just for the afterlife, but for today-it is the gospel for real life.

 

Pastor Jim Sewell

	“The Life You’ve Always Wanted”  by John Ortberg This is a great book for helping someone develop good spiritual disciplines in their lives. The chapters on "Training vs. Trying" and "Slowing Down" were particularly helpful.
	“Spiritual Leadership – Principles Of Leadership For Every Believer” by Oswald Sanders Oswald Sanders does a great job in this book of covering the essential areas that every leader should consider as they develop their leadership skills. Great leaders of the Bible are used as examples to illustrate the principles of sound leadership.
	“What’s So Amazing About Grace” by Philip Yancey This book really helps us understand what grace truly is. Grace is more than being nice. It’s forgiving when we really don’t want to. This book helps us identify - and avoid - the subtle ways of “getting even.”

 

Pastor Jeff Geise

	"Mere Christianity"  by C.S. Lewis This is a book that has done much to help me see clearly some of the very basics of Christianity. C.S. Lewis takes many of the deep things of God and makes them understandable – but it is still a challenging read.
	"Why Revival Tarries"  byLeonard Ravenhill In this book Leonard Ravenhill challenges me to take a long look at my spiritual life, especially my prayer life. I say I want to see revival take place in my personal life and in our church but am I willing to take the sacrifices necessary to see it happen? This book is at the same time convicting and uplifting.
	"Chasing Daylight"  by Erwin McManus In this book Erwin McManus takes the experience of Jonathan and his armor barer in 1 Samuel 14 and challenges us to take risks for God. We often say we are waiting on God to speak to us or prepare the way for us when really God is waiting on us to move out in faith and He will join us in battle.

Pastor Jim Kress

	"The Gospel According To Jesus"  by John F. MacArthur This is one of the first books I read after giving my life to Christ as a senior in High School, before I was called to ministry. The book impacted me profoundly because as a new Christian, I was a little confused about some of the "church-speak" I was hearing. MacArthur’s book helped give words to what I was thinking about my conversion. The truth was I did nothing. My conversion was all about yielding and submitting to what I knew God had already done for me in Christ. The Gospel According to Jesus helped me solidify the truth about God and people. Conversion is not about anyone "accepting Jesus," it’s all about God accepting us in Christ.
	"Mere Christianity"  by C.S. Lewis I was introduced to this book by my High School youth sponsor and, like MacArthur, it helped solidify and clarify what it means to be a Christian. This book also helped me to share and explain Christianity to others. Lewis writes in detail about the depth and pervasiveness of human sin, and emphasizes sin as a condition of the heart, and our need of salvation.
	"My Utmost for His Highest" by Oswald Chambers This devotional supplement has been a strong and compelling reminder of the power of the cross of Christ in daily life. Chambers’ writings are deep, and draw out what it means to live in total faith and dependence on God. Whenever I read this, I am challenged to trust God more radically, to pray more fervently, to worship more passionately, and read His Word more humbly.

 

Pastor Matt Maas

 

	"The Covenant" by Jim Garlow This book takes the Old Testament covenant system and Jesus sacrifice on the cross and compares them. It also demonstrates how Jesus death and sacrifice brought about a new covenant; one that allows us to have a personal relationship with God.
	"Mere Christianity" by C.S. Lewis Mere Christianity is a collection of defenses for Christianity broken into 4 “books” within its pages. With its aim intended for the unbeliever, C.S. Lewis tackles many of the questions a skeptic would have toward Christianity.
	"Our Sufficiency in Christ" by John Macarthur Our Sufficiency in Christ tackles the wide spread notion that is prevalent in Christian society today; that to live in the world of today we need more spiritual, social, psychological tools and resources than what Jesus can provide for the believer. His words or truth hit hard and dispel the need for anything other than Christ alone for everything life has to offer.