Reading for the Soul

Someone asked me what books I might recommend for a youth pastor to read in regards to spiritual life and formation. A great question and sadly I didn't have a list already prepared, but I do now. I tried to keep is simple so that these could be worked through in a short time frame. Here is my list, but I would really love to hear any other suggestions by you all...


1. Job, Rueben P. and Norman Shawchuck. A Guide To Prayer for Ministers and Other Servants. The Upper Room, Nashville.
2. Groff, Kent Ira. Active Spirituality: a Guide for Seekers and Ministers. An Alban Institute Publication.
3. Nouwen, Henri J. (pretty much everything he’s written, but in particular…) The Way of the Heart. And The Wounded Healer.
4. Jones, Tony. Sacred Way and Soul Shaper. (But with some hesitation on this last one, because the content is great, but there is this danger in trying to replicate these things, or use them for youth ministry program instead of for self first. )
5. I’m also a huge fan of the desert fathers and mothers, but also am inclined to think that most of us could use a guide through some of it… so let me suggest just that – a spiritual director has been a blessing for me personally.

What I know from own life and journey is that I have nothing to offer except the Christ in me. If I cannot or do not cultivate that relationship and journey (with others especially), then I have nothing from which to serve and love.