Ep. 035 | Five Books You Should Read in 2026

Описание: 5 Must-Read Books for Church Leaders in 2026 | Revitalize My Church Podcast

In this episode, Bart Blair shares five essential books to help pastors and church leaders grow in their leadership, strengthen discipleship, and guide their churches toward greater health and vitality. Whether you’re in revitalization, replanting, or simply wanting to lead more effectively, these resources offer practical wisdom and solid biblical foundations for lasting change.

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📚 Book 1: The Discipleship Opportunity — Daniel Im
How Churches Can Equip the Saints to Do the Work of Ministry

Big Idea: Every church has discipleship systems (classes, groups, programs), but few have a true **discipleship pathway**—an integrated “system of systems” that intentionally moves people toward maturity.
Why it matters:
Moves from theory to practical systems
Helps you connect scattered programs into one clear pathway
Rooted in real church implementation

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📚 Book 2: The Strategically Small Church — Brandon J. O’Brien
Intimate, Nimble, Authentic, and Influential

Big Idea: Small churches aren’t “failed big churches.” They have unique strengths—intimacy, agility, authenticity—that can be leveraged as intentional strategy.
Why it matters:
Challenges the “bigger is better” mentality
Frees churches to define success on biblical, contextual terms
Especially helpful for replants and churches rediscovering their identity

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📚 Book 3: 8 to 15 — Tom Mercer
The World Is Smaller Than You Think

Key Concept: Oikos = your natural network (family, friends, neighbors, coworkers). God has placed 8–15 people in your life as your primary mission field.
Big Idea: Most people come to faith through close relationships, not events.
Practical steps:
Pray for your 8–15 by name
Build intentional relationships
Share Christ naturally over time

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📚 Book 4: The Plurality Principle — Dave Harvey
How Your Church Can Be Healthier, Wiser, and More Resilient with Shared Leadership

Big Idea: Elder plurality (shared leadership) is God’s design for the church. It leads to better decisions, less risk, and more sustainable ministry.
Why it matters:
Biblical case for shared leadership
Practical help for planters, revitalizers, and replants
Moves churches away from pastor-dependency

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📚 Book 5: Lead Like It Matters — Craig Groeschel
Your Lifetime Leadership Platform

Big Idea: Your greatest legacy isn’t what you accomplish, but **who you develop**. Investing in leaders multiplies your impact beyond your tenure.
Core themes:
Clarity
Courage
Character
Culture

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✅ How to Use These Recommendations
Pick *one* book that best fits your current context
Better: read it with your elders, staff, or key leaders
Use end-of-chapter questions for team discussion
Set a simple pace (e.g., one chapter per week)

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🎧 About the Revitalize My Church Podcast
Revitalize My Church exists to help churches navigate change and move toward a new, healthy future. Host Bart Blair shares practical wisdom and biblical foundations for revitalization, renewal, and replanting.

New episodes release twice monthly:
1st of the month: Conversations with Nathan Bryant (Ministry Assist Executive Director) on revitalization principles
15th of the month: Interviews with practitioners and leaders in church revitalization

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🔔 Subscribe & Share
Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major platforms
Subscribe to get new episodes on the 1st and 15th
Drop your own book recommendations in the comments
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