Recommended Reading List

In my previous post I talked about the importance of reading. Here are some of my favorite books that have had an impact on my personal life and/or ministry. I realize everyone's interests are different, but these books are in my opinion at the top of the list. Not all of them are by Apostolic authors so I do not endorse any views in these books that may contradict fundamental doctrine. However most of these books written by secular or non-Apostolic authors do not deal with any doctrinal subject matter. I have listed them in no particular order of importance, other than the first book. I will only keep one reading list on this blog, so if I add any books in the future they will appear on this edited post. As always, thanks for reading…

The Family

1. A Father for all Seasons by Bob Welch- This book stands alone to me among all other books besides the Bible. It has impacted my life in ways that I couldn't even describe. My mother bought me this book for Christmas 2001. My son had just turned one year old. I don't know how long it sat on the bookshelf untouched, probably a couple of years. When I started to read it, the book changed my life. There are a lot of parenting books out there that try to teach us how to do it. This book is a man telling us stories about his father and stories about his two sons in a way that only Bob Welch can write. I don't know a lot about the author, other than he is not a preacher but a newspaper columnist from Eugene Oregon. This book is primarily for fathers who are raising their son, but a book that everyone should enjoy reading. I sat in restaurants reading this book and would have to stop reading it because I couldn't stop the tears from flowing. Gentlemen, you owe it to yourself to get this book. It may be ordered online at bobwelch.net .
   
2. Bringing up Boys by James Dobson- A true how to book on parenting, I learned a lot from this book that I could apply to my own role as a parent. Any of Dr. Dobson's books on the family are worth reading.
   

   
   

Bible Study Material

1. Thompson Chain Reference Bible- still hard to beat it for pure study.
   
2. PC Study Bible- I've tried Quickverse, but Study Bible has a much better user interface.
   
3. The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Bible Facts
   
4. Nelson's New Illustrated Bible Dictionary
   
5. The Tabernacle by William Brown
   
6. The Pentecostal Home Study Course
   
7. Any of Crawford Coon's Christian Development Course, Pastor John McKinnies introduced me to this tremendous material.
   

Christian Living

1. When Ye Pray by Joy Haney
   
2. Unseen Hands by Nona Freeman
   
3. When Ye Fast by Joy Haney
   

   
   

For the Ministry

1. The Flesh of God by J.T. Pugh- if there is a more relevant book to the ministry today I haven't found it. Bro. Pugh gives us what the Church is and what our Purpose is more clearly than anything I've ever read. A true must read book.
   
2. The Wisdom and the Power of the Cross by J.T. Pugh- this was a hard read for me because it was pretty deep, but it is a must read for every preacher. Both of these first two books should be a required reading for young ministers.
   
3. Effective Pastoring by Bill Lawrence- I don't agree with everything he has to say, the Baptist form of church government differs from ours, but plenty of good solid advice to Pastors.
   
4. The Best of Vesta Mangun- A written version of some of her best messages
   
5. Any of David Bernard's books including- The New Birth, The Oneness of God, God's Infallible Word.
   
6. For Preachers Only by J.T. Pugh
   
7. I being in the Way by Harold Kinney- Written by a missionary, one of the most enjoyable books I've ever read.
   

   
   

Publications

1. Perspectives Magazine by Indiana Bible College- Usually a feature story on a Church, plus lots of good articles and insight, my personal favorite Apostolic publication.
   
2. The Pentecostal Herald- I would not list it just on the merits of it being the official organ of the UPCI. It has improved tremendously the last few years, and now has great articles in it every month.
   
3. PC World Magazine- If you own a computer, this one is worth subscribing to, lots of tips and downloads to help you keep running smoothly.
   

Success Literature

1. The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey- The standard by which all other success literature should be measured. It is a life changing book if you will apply it. Every leader and preacher should read and reread this book.
   
2. First things First by Stephen Covey- It doesn't do the book justice to call this a time management book, but it gives you an idea of what it is about. An excellent book, I recently had a well known and successful pastor from the South tell me this book changed his life, it was enough of an endorsement for me to go out and buy it.
   
3. Only the Paranoid Survive by Andy Grove- Andy Grove is the former chairman of the board for Intel and was the driving force behind what made Intel what it is today. The book centers around Strategic Inflection Points, which you would have to read to understand. He made me a believer that any leader in order to be successful long term must understand Strategic Inflection Points in their particular field.
   

   
   

   
   

   There are many other books that I have enjoyed, but these are a few that I believe can make a difference in your life…