I'm aware that this post will be read by many who aren’t here for the pastors conference, but my hope is that it will be useful beyond this event.
So, here’s to rouse your enthusiasm for the bookstore at this year's pastors conference. You may feel lost among the hundreds of titles. That’s okay; you’re not alone. But to help you get your bearings, below are several recommendations.
Bio & History
George Whitefield by Arnold Dallimore. This year Piper is speaking on Whitefield. For those less eager to work through Dallimore’s two massive volumes, this paperback is a fine place to go to get more on the great evangelist.
Wesley and the Men Who Followed by Iain Murray. A good introduction to Whitefield’s longtime friend John Wesley.
J. Gresham Machen: A Guided Tour of His Life and Thought by Stephen Nichols. I normally commend something by Nichols. His work is excellent. If you haven’t yet benefitted from his writing, maybe now’s the time. This is one place to start—or maybe his Pages from Church History.
One Year Christian History by Mike and Sharon Rusten. A short story from church history for each day of the year. Well written and stirring. Good for personal and family devotions.
Young, Restless, and Reformed: A Journalist’s Journey with the New Calvinists by Collin Hansen. Why are 1500+ pastors and leaders coming to Minnesota in February (!) to hear Calvinists talk about evangelism? Something’s going on. Learn about pockets of the growing movement from Hansen’s narrative.
Theology
Symphonic Theology: The Validity of Multiple Perspectives in Theology by Vern Poythress. Finitude and falleness ensure that we all have blemishes and blind spots in our theologizing. Poythress helps us get beyond our penchant for single perspectives so we can appreciate the texture and multiple dimensions of Christian theology.
Salvation Belongs to the Lord: An Introduction to Systematic Theology by John Frame. An amazing resource for teaching theology where it most needs to be taught—in the local church.
Jesus Ascended: The Meaning of Christ’s Continuing Incarnation by Gerrit Scott Dawson. Unpacks the important but often overlooked doctrine of Jesus’ continuing incarnation.
Bibles
The ESV Study Bible. An outstanding resource, prepared by a remarkable list of evangelical scholars. Good introductions, good notes, great articles in the back. For pastors and laypeople alike.
Reader’s Greek New Testament. For those who once studied Greek but are struggling to keep it fresh, this approach could make all the difference. Instead of flipping to the back (or through a lexicon), the lesser known words are footnoted at the bottom of the page.
Gospel-Telling
A Faith Worth Sharing by Jack Miller. Very highly recommended, especially at this conference on evangelism! Jack Miller did it so well—very ordinary, very natural—and he wrote it down in story form, successes and failures alike, so we could benefit. (For more, see my review of this book.)
Becoming a Contagious Christian by Bill Hybels and Mark Mittelberg. Surprised to see a Hybels book commended here? Well, the man has a formidable track record of sharing his faith, and most of us stand to learn a lot from him in this. The book is especially strong in helping the reader think practically about how to move from simply desiring to share the gospel to actually real-life gospel-telling.
The Gospel and Personal Evangelism by Mark Dever. Mark’s our keynote. Not only does he tell the gospel with clarity and depth, but he’s made a practice of doing so not only in formal church settings but in everyday life. Here Mark gives us valuable aid.
New Releases
Vintage Church by Mark Driscoll. This may be Driscoll’s most significant book. He has several distinctive contributions to make, and his angle on ecclesiology may prove helpful beyond his generation and city. Especially beneficial are the chapters on multi-campus and technology.
Finally Alive: What Happens When We Are Born Again by John Piper. Finally Alive is finally here. We release today. A great follow-up to hearing Piper on Whitefield, who preached so frequently on the new birth, would be to read Piper on the new birth, and then pass it along to a friend.
Exhibitors
Representatives from the following ministries are on hand at the Bookstore:
- 9Marks
- ACTION International
- Banner of Truth
- Bethlehem College & Seminary
- Children Desiring God
- Christian Focus Publications
- Crossway Books
- Desiring God
- Desiring God International Outreach
- Good Book Company
- Logos Bible Software
- Matthias Media
- P&R Publishing
- Reformation Heritage Books
- TCT Church Planting Residency Program
More Recommendations
Previous conference booklists:
