Timeless Books: Top Picks that Have Stood the Test of time
What has remained among the 15,000 books over the years
~A bit over 1000 words but very skimmable
With Mother’s Day just past and summer fast approaching, I want to acknowledge the gift my mother gave me—the Love of Reading.
I was also blessed to have wonderful budgets for books and materials in some of the roles I served. Now, I devote significant resources to purchasing books to read to help broaden my horizons.
Each year, I also give away numerous books that I have read. Last year, the total in the giveaway pile was over 600. Though many were profitable to me, they had served their purpose, and it was time to let them enrich someone else.
But a few books have remained on the shelf for many years. The ones I share today for your consideration get read every year. They are not the only books that inform my thinking, but they do resonate with me deeply.
So, they are books that have stood the test of time and are still relevant. I read many contemporary and new books every year, but I read these often.
Every time I read one of these, I either see something new or am struck by an insight in a new way.
As you head out this summer, here are some things worth considering for your reading pile.
The Diffusion of Innovation – Everett Rogers –
This was the standard text at Leadership Network for understanding the world of churches. I first read the third edition, which was much more straightforward in presentation. The current Fifth edition, published after Rogers’s death, is a bit more convoluted, but you will still get the ideas. The principles apply broadly, though, as it is not a Christian book or an easy read at first.
However, understanding how change happens in an ecosystem and how it can be enhanced is vital for leaders.
Rogers’ workshop at Leadership Network in the late 1990s catalyzed many conversations among church leaders and their sharing of this work.
The Interventionist by Lyle Schaller—
Lyle was a mentor of mine from the mid-1980s until his death. He was the foremost church consultant of his day across mainline and evangelical congregations. This book is a version of his workshop for denominational leaders and consultants. I think it is his tour de force for helping leaders understand a congregation and what interventions are appropriate.
Lyle wrote many books, some of which seemed repetitive as they had similar themes. But if you read them carefully, you will see helpful understandings, frameworks, and applications, even if the descriptions seem a bit dated now.
You might also want to try his other works, “The Change Agent” or “The Very Large Church.”
The Executive In Action—Peter Drucker—
Long-time readers will know that I also considered Peter a mentor and spent some good time with him in the last decade of his life.
This is cheating because the book combines three of his prior books—Managing for Results, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, and The Effective Executive—into one handy volume.
As I look at the underlines in my copy, I am amazed at how relevant the book is. Many ideas are the foundations for contemporary business and work organization even after 25 years.
My other mentor, Bob Buford, was more of a fan of his big, blue Management book than this one. However, the one I suggest is more application-oriented.
My dog-eared copy of the next book.
The Philippian Fragment – Calvin Miller -
I first purchased this little IVP paperback in 1982 for $4.95. It crosses between a humor book, commentary on church life in growing churches in the 1980s, and pastoral encouragement. This was written when the author was a pastor of a growing church and spoke regularly on the college circuit. He went on to teach preaching at a seminary.
It is no longer in print, though you can find used copies. It is fiction, but you will laugh and cry through it. It’s short, but it should encourage you. It is satire and truth mixed together. Written over 40 years ago I see many of the same patterns in today’s church world.
But clearly, the late author used the style to share how various trials and triumphs could encourage one pastor to share with another believer.
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Main story on books continues…
Effective Church Leadership—Kennon Callahan—
I will confess that there are still parts of this book I can’t understand. I know what he is expressing but fail to grasp it. Callahan’s Twelve Keys to an Effective Church was very influential in my generation. This follow-up was generally ignored. It should not be.
The first few chapters are the best and still describe how great church leaders can make a difference.
Execution: The Discipline of Getting Things Done – Larry Bossidy and Ram Charan -
Though many tools the authors describe could be outdated due to technology, the ideas are still very relevant for managing and ensuring things happen in an organization. I am inspired each time I read it.
Ram has written many books, and I have read most of them because I thought this one was so great. Bossidy wrote one more with Charan, but far and away, this is the greatest one from either author.
OK – honorable mentions:
I always read a P.G. Wodehouse book in the summer. It's good, clean, fun, and laughter. Start with either the Jeeves and Wooster or Lord Emsworth stories.
The Good American : The Epic Life of Bob Gersony, The U.S. Government’s Greatest Humanitarian by Robert Kaplan – This is the most recent book on the list and I have now read three times and listened to the book once. Admit it, you have never heard of the guy.
He is a simple consultant who spends much time interviewing those who will be impacted, designing simple and implementable solutions, and producing outsized results.
The Three Languages of Politics: Talking Across the Political Divides – by Arnold Kling – This is a mini booklet almost but packs a punch. Kling describes the three languages that compose American political debate. These are not political parties but the root arguments that animate the divide and the division.
It came out pre-pandemic (2017), and the “languages" played out in the debates.
I keep saying I will apply it to the church world, but I have never gotten around to it.
So, what is on your list? What would you recommend as a book that has lasted for 20 years or more on your shelf, and why?
Send them to me, and if we get a list large enough, I will share it in a future edition.
Or, if you read one of mine and want to comment, send that to me as well, and we can discuss it.
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