Becca Stevens's favorite books for ministry

What are the best books for ministry written in the 21st century? We asked seven pastors to pick their favorites. — Ed.

A series of essays on homiletics, worship, Christian education, pastoral care, and practical theology, Edward Farley’s Practicing Gospel (Westminster John Knox) reminds us that ministry should be rooted not in popular psychology or dazzling public speaking, but in a transforming God. He grounds practice in a struggle with the mystery of God’s salvific work.

Fredrica Harris Thompsett believes that we are all natural theologians: we are all able to think through questions of belief and relate our answers to our personal and communal lives. In We Are Theologians (Seabury) she works through historical and biblical resources that can guide us in continuing theological reflection on the faith that informs ministry.