For the last twelve years I’ve published an annual list of my top ten books published each year. While these lists have been alphabetical rather than in rank order, they’ve also included mention of two books from each list that had the greatest impact on my life and ministry during that year. To begin 2022, I’m taking a look back at the eleven most recent lists, which provides 22 must read books for 2022. (The list appears in alphabetical order by author last name.)
- Diana Butler Bass. Christianity After Religion: The End of the Church and the Birth of a New Spiritual Awakening. (2012)
- Diana Butler Bass. Freeing Jesus: Rediscovering Jesus as Friend, Teacher, Savior, Lord, Way and Presence. (2021)
- Marcus Borg. Days of Awe and Wonder. (2017)
- Mark Chaves. American Religion: Contemporary Trends. (2011)
- Ron Clark. Move Your Bus: An Extraordinary New Approach to Accelerating Success in Work and Life. (2015)
- John Dorhauer. Beyond Resistance: The Institutional Church Meets the Postmodern World. (2015)
- Lenny Duncan. Dear Church: A Love Letter from a Black Preacher to the Whitest Denomination. (2019)
- Mark Elsdon. We Aren’t Broke: Uncovering Hidden Resources for Mission and Ministry. (2021)
- Wesley Granberg-Michaelson. Future Faith: Ten Challenges Reshaping Christianity in the 21st Century. (2018)
- Galen Guengerich. God Revised: How Religion Must Evolve in a Scientific Age. (2013)
- Robert P. Jones. The End of White Christian America . (2016)
- David Kinnaman. You Lost Me: Why Young Christians Are Leaving Church . . . And Rethinking Faith. (2011)
- Michael Kinnamon. The Witness of Religion in an Age of Fear. (2017)
- Casper ter Kuile. The Power of Ritual: Turning Everyday Activities Into Soulful Practices. (2020)
- John R. Mabry. Faithful Generations: Effective Ministry Across Generational Lines. (2013)
- G. Jeffrey MacDonald. Part-Time is Plenty: Thriving Without Full-Time Clergy. (2020)
- Barbara Melosh. Loving and Leaving a Church: A Pastor’s Journey. (2018)
- John Philip Newell. The Rebirthing of God: Christianity’s Struggle for New Beginnings. (2014)
- Stephen Prothero. Why Liberals Win the Culture Wars (Even When They Lose Elections). (2016)
- Efrem Smith. The Post-Black & Post-White Church: Becoming the Beloved Community in a Multi-Ethnic World (2012)
- Barbara Brown Taylor. Holy Envy: Finding God in the Faith of Others. (2019)
- Paul Taylor. The Next America: Boomers, Millennials, and the Looming Generational Showdown. (2014)
Top Two
There is no way for me to pick just two from this list. Instead, I’ve selected the top two from each 3-4 year time period
2011 – 2014
- Diana Butler Bass. Christianity After Religion: The End of the Church and the Birth of a New Spiritual Awakening. (2012)
- Mark Chaves. American Religion: Contemporary Trends. (2011)
2015 – 2017
- John Dorhauer. Beyond Resistance: The Institutional Church Meets the Postmodern World. (2015)
- Robert P. Jones. The End of White Christian America . (2016)
2018 – 2021
- Wesley Granberg-Michaelson. Future Faith: Ten Challenges Reshaping Christianity in the 21st Century. (2018)
- Barbara Brown Taylor. Holy Envy: Finding God in the Faith of Others. (2019)