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Might: Spiritual, organizational, personal and positional sources and resources are appropriately used to make decisions and develop people

New Year Resources For The Minister’s Soul Care

Many ministers I know wrestle with the difficulty of trying to live a life of transformation and intimacy with the God they read about in their Bibles. Most of us long for a deeper inner spiritual life yet regularly experience Dallas Willard’s observation “the greatest enemy of intimacy with God, is service for God.”

Ministry by definition is depleting. Without constant infilling we soon have nothing left to give, or worse, we implode because the pressure on the outside is greater than the spiritual infrastructure on the inside. One source of infilling are the various spiritual readings, habits, practices and disciplines that help form us spiritually and aid our pursuit of godliness. As you begin the new year consider the following books to draw from a rich heritage of Godly believers and offer practical suggestions for minister’s soul care and cultivating an intimate and growing relationship with God.

  1. Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life, by Donald Whitney
  2. The Sacred Way, by Tony Jones
  3. Keeping the Sabbath Wholly, by Marva Dawn
  4. Sabbath, Finding Rest, Renewal and Delight in our Busy Lives, by Wayne Muller
  5. Sacred Pathways, Discover Your Soul’s Path to God, by Gary Thomas
  6. Clergy Self Care, Finding a Balance for Effective Ministry, by Roy Oswald
  7. Spiritual Rhythms in Community and Whole Life Transformation, by Keith Meyer
  8. The Spirit of the Disciplines and Divine Conspiracy, by Dallas Willard
  9. Fresh Encounter, by Henry Blackaby and Claude King
  10. Building Below the Waterline, Shoring Up the Foundations of Leadership, by Gordon MacDonald
  11. The Emotionally Healthy Leader and Emotionally Healthy Spirituality, by Peter Scazzero
  12. Charles de Foucauld: Writings Selected with an Introduction, by Robert Ellsberg
  13. Celebration of Discipline, by Richard Foster
  14. The Practice of the Presence of God, by Brother Lawrence
  15. Abandonment to Divine Providence, by Jean-Pierre de Caussade
  16. Life of the Beloved, by Henri Nouwen
  17. The Imitation of Christ, by Thomas a Kempis
  18. Meditation and Communion With God, by John Jefferson Davis
  19. 4 Keys To Hearing God’s Voice, by Mark and Patti Virkler
  20. Monk Habits for Everyday People….Benedictine Spirituality for Protestants, by Dennis Okholm
  21. Christian Meditation, Experiencing the Presence of God, by James Finley
  22. Falling Upward, Naked Now, and Immortal Diamond, by Richard Rohr
  23. Ordinary People as Monks and Mystics, by Marsha Sinetar
  24. Spiritual Classics, Selected Readings on 12 Spiritual Disciplines by Richard Foster and Emilie Griffin
  25. The Kingdom Within, The Inner Meaning of Jesus’ Sayings, by John Sanford
  26. The Big Book of Christian Mysticism and Answering the Contemplative Call by Carl McColman
  27. He Leadeth Me, by Walter Ciszek

Posted on January 3, 2023
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Jim Baker

Jim is a Church Organizational Leadership and Management Coach, Consultant and Trainer. Throughout his career Jim has demonstrated a passion for showing Pastors and Ministers how to use organizational tools for church and personal growth and health.

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“For I may be absent in body, but I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see how well ordered you are and the strength of your faith in Christ.” Colossians 2:5