Books I read in 2020

What do you do during a global pandemic? Apparently, you read. Or at least, I did. Here are the 60 books I knocked out in 2020.

5Q, by Alan Hirsch
- A thick (and by that, I mean dense and not a quick read) book that challenges the way that churches are structured to have only 2 of the 5 gifts in Ephesians 4 leading (shepherds and teachers). While the book resonates deeply with me, there will be a lot of processing about how to implement it. This was the perfect book to read at the beginning of a year of ACTIVATION in the local body I lead.
It’s Not About You, by Tom Rath
- Short, easy read with a powerful emotional pull
The Minuteman, by Greg Donaghue
- I love popping in the AirPods and listening to short Audible Originals. This one followed the history of a young man who stood up against the German American Bund during the rise of Hitler.
Talking to Strangers, by Malcolm Gladwell
- Not the easiest book to read (or in my case, listen to) because of the subject matter. Gladwell does an amazing job investigating the reasons why we are so bad at making sense of the people we don’t know. This is crucial in the tense, divisive culture of today.
Your Digital Life 2.0, by Carl Pullein
- One of my goals this year is to be even more efficient in how I handle tasks and information. This book was easy to use and so far has been easy to implement.
Getting Things Done, by David Allen
- If you’re looking to increase productivity personally or professionally and decrease the mental clutter of trying to keep up with all the stuff that bombards you every single day, then this classic is for you.
The Future of Feeling, by Kaitlin Ugolik Phillips
- A book I read because it was on Kindle Unlimited. It tackles an interesting issue about how the more dependant we become on technology as a society seems to cause us how to become less empathetic as a society.
21 Habits of Highly Broke People, by Dipo Adesina
- A lot of this is information that you may already know, but there are some compelling insights between who the author calls “rich” people and “poor” people. Also, this is the book where I read that the average American adult spends ELEVEN HOURS A DAY consuming screen media. Wow! (Also, the 1,000 marbles illustration)
Daring Greatly, by Brené Brown
- An absolutely amazing read that challenges how we as people and as a society deal with vulnerability and shame. I highly recommend this book.
Microchurches, by Brian Sanders
- The beauty of this book is that it’s one of the few to talk about the power of the smaller church format without throwing the larger church format under the bus. This will be a resource for years to come as our own church explores what it looks like to extend our reach into every part of our city and region.
The Imperfect Disciple, by Jared C. Wilson
- Too many discipleship books are written for clean, perfect people who know all the right Sunday school answers. The Imperfect Disciple is for the rest of us–people who screw up, people who are weary, people who are wondering if it’s safe to say what they’re really thinking. Really good read.
Letters to the Church, by Francis Chan
- The last thing I wanted to do was to read this book as some kind of novelty act. One chapter in and I knew there was no way that could happen. Two things are true about Chan: he loves Jesus deeply and he loves the Church dearly. Nothing in this book is critical of the Church that Jesus loves, and yet so much in this book is convicting about the church that many of us love. I’ll be chewing on this one for a long time to come because I agree with Chan that church as we know it isn’t sustainable. Lord, help me to have the courage to be at the tip of the spear going forward.
Together, by Dave Ferguson and Patrick O’Connell
- After leaving the 2020 Exponential Conference, I knew that I had to read this book. It’s a fantastic look at how all of us are better together and it will inspire you to see the power of networking differently than you may have previously. My guess is that you’ll either join one or start one!
The Mobilization Flywheel, by Larry Walkemeyer and Todd Wilson
- Another resource that came out of the Exponential Conference. It wasn’t the easiest to read.
Reading the Sermon on the Mount, by John Stott
- We did a series called Win/When at The Gathering to start the year and this was one of the books I read as a resource for it. Really cool insights into the greatest sermon ever preached with practical study and group questions at the end of each section.
What if it’s True?, by Charles Martin
Everyone Communicates, Few Connect, by John C. Maxwell
The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry, by John Mark Comer
- I’ve been on a continual journey in recent years to better practice Sabbath and solitude and this book was such an inspiration.
To Hell with the Hustle, by Jefferson Bethke
- I read this one at the same time that I was reading the previous book without realizing that they’d basically be about the same thing. I love when God doubles down on what He’s doing in me.
The Logic of God, by Ravi Zacharias
One Blood, by John M. Perkins
Do All Lives Matter?, by Wayne Gordon and John M. Perkins
Digital Minimalism, by Cal Newport
Under Our Skin, by Benjamin Watson
The Color of Compromise, by Jemar Tisby
A Cloud by Day, A Fire by Night, by A. W. Tozer
Dream Big, by Bob Goff
Home Run, by Kevin Myers and John Maxwell
- This was a pretty practical book about leadership using the baseball diamond as a metaphor. Lots to take away from it, but what I appreciated the most was the openness from Kevin about his personal and professional struggles.
Speed Reading, by Justin Hammond
- Claims to double your reading speed in an hour. Don’t know if it will help me read faster in the long-term, but I can say that I more than doubled my speed based on the tests at the beginning and end of the book.
Rising Strong, by Brene Brown
- This was my second book from Brene Brown and there were lots of familiar themes about vulnerability and shame, but also new stories that offered fresh insight and perspectives about what to do AFTER a “face-down-in-the-dirt” failure. She’s crass but worth it.
Get Out of Your Head, by Jennie Allen
The Coffee Bean, by Jon Gordon and Damon West
One Question, by Ken Coleman
Thicker than Water, by Tyler Shultz
Daniel Generation, by Jolene Erlacher
The Hiding Place, by Corrie Ten Boom
How to Lead When You Don’t Know Where You’re Going, by Susan Beaumont
Liminal Thinking, by Dave Gray
An Unhurried Life, by Scott Fadling
Unoffendable, by Brant Hansen
- Without a doubt, my favorite book of the year! I highly recommend this one to everybody and nobody at the same time. You’ve been warned!
Who Really Cares: The Surprising Truth About Compassionate Conservatism, by Arthur Brooks
- My guess is that you’ll be just as blown away as I was by what the author found. I listened to this one on Audible, but I’d suggest you get a printed copy – the stats and numbers started running together for me after a while (as I was running).
Before You Vote, by David Platt
- A short, clear, and timely message for believers on all sides of the political issues.
I Hear the Lord Say, “New Era”, by Lana Vawser
The Coddling of the American Mind, by Greg Lukianoff and Jonathan Haidt
The Truth About Us, by Brant Hansen
Jesus Outside the Lines, by Scott Sauls
Not God Enough, by J. D. Greear
The Next Right Thing, by Emily P. Freeman
Braving the Wilderness, by Brene Brown
- It just seemed right to squeeze in one more Brene Brown book before the end of the year.
Nice, by Sharon Hodde Miller
I Hear You, by Michael Sorensen
Blackout, by Candace Owens
Welded, by Jay Stewart and Derrick Hawkins
24/6, by Matthew Sleeth
Revolution, by Michael L. Brown
Manna, by Steve Farrar
The State of Religion & Young People, by Springtide Research Institute
The Compound Effect, by Darren Hardy
God Dreams, by Will Mancini
I Declare War, by Levi Lusko