Have you been racking your brain lately thinking about what should go on your Christmas Wish List this year? Many students of the Bible benefitted in 2017 when a list was created where pastors in the Living Faith Fellowship gave their book recommendations. Well, look no further! A new list has been created! There have been so many wonderful books written about God’s Word throughout the years: amazing reference materials, study tools, and commentaries written by like-minded students of God’s word. So, where should you begin? Which books should go on your Amazon Wish List?

Several of our pastors at Midtown Baptist Temple have been kind enough to help us by sharing their favorite books from 2020. Take your time perusing what your pastors have been reading. Below are several lists organized by pastor. Each pastor tried to select books that other pastors had not yet mentioned. Each book has a link, either to its Amazon page or to a free online version. Have fun!

Chris Best is a pastor at Midtown Baptist Temple and leads the Living Well fellowship.

1. The Spiritual Leader by Paul Chappell

The author lists out truths or points of application from scripture that make this book easy to read and understand. I was convicted, edified, and encouraged.

2. Finishing Strong by Steve Farrar

According to this book, only one out of ten 21-year-old trained pastors are still going strong in their calling at age 65. Hmmm…this book addresses that and what we need to finish strong.

3. Financial Peace University Handbook by Dave Ramsey

Take the baby steps! It was good for my wife Cristine and I to re-read/realign our finances to the steps in this book.

4. Spiritual Leadership by J. Oswald Chambers

This is the assigned reading for LFBI’s Servant Leadership class. It has good content about spiritual leadership.

5. Hudson Taylor’s Spiritual Secret by Howard Taylor and The Autobiography of J. Hudson Taylor by Hudson Taylor:

Hudson Taylor was a great man of faith. These books are records of his life and work.

Brandon Briscoe is the pastor of C&YA (college and young adults) at Midtown Baptist Temple.

1. Church History in Plain Language by Bruce Shelley

This book is a straightforward narrative of Church History without the typically unwelcome Catholic or liberal bias found in so many books like this. It is very well written and keeps one's attention.

2. The Gospel According to Satan: Eight Lies about God that Sound Like the Truth by Jared C. Wilson

The Gospel According to Satan clearly lays out the lies that are so commonly prevalent in Satan's ministry against Christians. Although some of Wilson's Calvinism shows at times, it is overall very insightful as it concerns our personal warfare.

3. John Adams by David McCullough

This is a biography of one of the founding fathers of our country. I started reading this before the election in order to get a broader context of where America has come, particularly in terms of ideology. John Adams was a fascinating man with strong ideas about freedom and was influenced heavily by a Biblical worldview.

4. Gay Girl, Good God: The Story of Who I Was, and Who God Has Always Been by Jackie Hill Perry

As you can imagine from the title, this is the story of how one woman made the journey from homosexuality, to salvation, to shedding her old ideas and habits through sanctification. A powerful story that also provides insights into a struggle that is so very common today.

5. God's Smuggler by Brother Andrew

Many of you in C&YA may be tired of me talking about this book (which was recommended to me by Brian Hedges) but I can't help it. I read this early in the year and it has influenced my prayer life throughout this twisty, turny covid-era world. A powerful story of faith, prayer, and mission.

Jeff Grasher is the pastor of the Youth Ministry at Midtown Baptist Temple.

1. Why Revival Tarries by Leonard Ravenhill

This book challenged me to consider my prayer life and my quiet time in light of what God could do in and through me. Why am I holding back from God when he wants to use me?

2. Purpose in Prayer by E.M. Bounds

Again, God has been growing my understanding of the necessity and urgency of a passionate prayer life. If you feel like your prayer life has stalled out, read this now! We all need reminders to not depend on our talents and abilities to get the work of God done.

3. The Keys of Bible Study by Mark Trotter

Studying the Bible becomes SO accessible as you read these chapters, your love for God's word is built up, and you won't find an easier and more engaging book to read that gives you the skills and principles to rightly divide the word of God.

4. Fresh Power: What Happens When God Leads and You Follow by Jim Cymbala

Another challenging and encouraging book to help you consider where your dependence is. Pastor Cymbala delivers a charge to be desperate for GOD to move through us in ministry.

Kenny Morgan is the discipleship pastor at Midtown Baptist Temple as well as the pastor of Life Fellowship.

1. Kingdom Disciples by Tony Evans

A sobering read on the impact of the discipleship vacuum in the church and in society.

2. Understanding the Times: Living Courageously in Prophetic Days by Paul Chappell

A concise and clear presentation on the unfolding of prophecy before our eyes.

3. The Basics and Background of Dispensationalism by David Walker

A helpful read on rightly dividing the word of truth from a pro-King James Bible perspective.

4. Ten Principles for Biblical Living by Don Sisk

An encouraging and refreshing read from a wise, faithful, and aged man of God.

Will Mata is the pastor of the Spanish Ministry at Midtown Baptist Temple.

1. TentMaking by Patrick Lai

This book discusses people serving in the “10/40” window and helps you in terms of being a servant in world missions.

2. Every Good Endeavor: Connecting Your Work to God’s Work by Timothy Keller

This is a great book to understand (in a practical way) how to serve others and not ourselves.

3. Business for the Glory of God: The Bible’s Teaching on the Moral Goodness of Business by Wayne Grudem

Great reading to consider our own conduct in our jobs.

4. A Light Shines Bright in Babylon by Buck Jacobs

This book discusses how to be a light in a world that pictures Babylon.

Sam Miles is the pastor of Midtown Baptist Temple in Kansas City, MO.

1. Exposition of the Gospel of John by A.W. Pink.

This is a wonderful and incredibly insightful commentary on John’s Gospel. It’s a feast. It is also only $1 on Kindle right now!

2. Old Paths, New Power – Strategic Renewal and Transforming Prayer – Strategic Renewal by Daniel Henderson

A couple of very valuable books on prayer. They’ll show you how to use the word of God effectively in your approach to a consistently fresh prayer life.

3. The Preacher's Outline and Sermon Bible

Commentary series that I’m REALLY digging right now, mainly for the insight from the xrefs. It has some next level concordance (or TSK) value.

4. The Believer’s Study Bible by W.A. Criswell. and The Dictionary of Bible Themes by Martin H. Manser.

These are both unique and valuable resources for studying God's word.

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Your 2020 Christmas Wish List: Pastor Book Recommendations