RESOURCES FOR MINISTRY
There is no one-size-fits-all solution for any ministry. Seminary training is good, but much of ministry is learned on the job, as you interact with real people and real struggles over a long period of time.
Below are a collection of our favorite resources to help provide some “continuing education” as you seek to love and serve others.
Church Leadership
You’re Not Crazy by Sam Allberry and Ray Ortlund. (They also host a podcast by the same name.)
Humility: The Joy of Self-Forgetfulness by Gavin Ortlund
Help! I’m Married to the Pastor!: Encouragement for Ministry Wives and Those Who Love Them by Jani Ortlund
A Loving Life by Paul Miller
Church Hurt: a humbling topic to prayerfully consider
A Church Called Tov: Forming a Goodness Culture That Resists Abuses of Power and Promotes Healing by Laura Barringer and Scot McKnight
Bully Pulpit: Confronting the Problem of Spiritual Abuse in the Church by Michael Krueger
Teaching the Bible
Help Me Teach the Bible podcast by Nancy Guthrie
The Bible Project: Bible videos that show how the Bible tells one unified story about Jesus. Covers individual books as well as other topics.
Theology:
Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine by Wayne Grudem
A Theology of Biblical Counseling: The Doctrinal Foundations of Counseling Ministry by Heath Lambert
Counseling:
Instruments in the Redeemer’s Hands by Paul Tripp
The Dynamic Heart in Daily Life: Connecting Christ to Human Experience by Jeremy Pierre
How People Change by Tim Lane and Paul Tripp
A Biblical Counseling Process: Guidance for the Beginning, Middle, and End by Lauren Whitman
Gospel-Centered Counseling Training by Lighthouse Community Church (LCC), Torrance, 2021
Advanced Counselor Training by Lighthouse Community Church, 2022 (focuses on topics), 2022
Saints, Sufferers, and Sinners by Michael Emlet
31-day Devotional Series, edited by Deepak Reju (P&R Publishing)
I’m Praying for You by Nancy Guthrie
CrossTalk: Where Life and Scripture Meet by Michael Emlet
Untangling Emotions by Alasdair Groves and Winston Smith
J-Curve by Paul Miller
Counseling Couples:
Tying the Knot: A Premarital Guide to a Strong and Lasting Marriage by Rob Green
Marriage Matters by Winston Smith
When Home Hurts by Jeremy Pierre and Greg Wilson (domestic abuse)
Counseling Children and Youth:
Building Bridges: Biblical Counseling Activities for Children and Youth by Julie Lowe
Counseling Youth: Gospel Hope for Teenage Hearts, presented by Dan Nah, 4 session series (Jan. 2024)
Age of Opportunity by Paul Tripp
Helping Your Church Care for One Another:
Side by Side: Walking with Others in Wisdom and Love by Ed Welch
Strategy:
The Master Plan of Evangelism by Robert Coleman
The Trellis and the Vine by Colin Marshall and Tony Payne