It looks like I’ll cross the 200 number for “Books Read in 2016.” I thought whittling down my list to a select few would be unusually difficult. This year, however, it came easily. I was able to read precious few titles published in the last twelve months. Most of my readings were for doctoral/dissertation studies, which means the vast majority of the books I read were published at least 150 years ago. So, this year’s list doesn’t have as many titles as usual. I pray nonetheless they will be of help to you.

My criteria for favorite books remains the same:

1. Does this book have a special benefit to ordinary pastors?
2. Is this a book worth rereading every year?

Five books I read answered those two questions with a resounding, “Yes!” Here they are, with a bonus title at the end.

Favorite Books for Ordinary Pastors Published in 2016

#5—Zeal Without Burnout: Seven Keys to a Lifelong Ministry of Sustainable Sacrifice by Christopher Ash. By God’s grace, pastoral burnout is not something I’ve experienced. But it’s a constant threat. I’ve longed considered Ash to be always worth reading and Zeal Without Burnout doesn’t disappoint. While I would have enjoyed reflection on what we can learn about battling burnout from Jesus’ life, Ash remains theologically and pastorally adept. An added benefit is that you can read this book in one short sitting. I’d encourage every pastor to make a resolution to read Zeal Without Burnout the first week of each new year.

#4—Discipling: How to Help Others Follow Jesus by Mark Dever. Mark Dever is the most dedicated and fruitful discipler I know. This contribution to 9Marks’ valuable Building Healthy Churches series distils Dever’s wisdom into a one-stop-discipleship shop. What I appreciate about Dever’s approach is how he extols making discipling a natural part of your life in Christ. Here you don’t find a delineated program or ten-step guide for conforming others to Christ. Rather, you get simple encouragement and biblical truth to shape for your context. Pastors will particularly enjoy the chapter, “Raising Up Leaders.”

#3—Praying Together: The Priority and Privilege of Prayer: In Our Homes, Communities, and Churches by Meghan Hill. This book sat on my shelf for several months before I finally cracked its pages. What a book! To say I read it would be an understatement—I delightfully devoured it. I found Hill to be useful in all kinds of areas, but what challenged me most was her counsel on a church’s corporate prayer and the family’s regular prayers. Simply put, Praying Together is one of the most stirring books on prayer I’ve yet read.

#2—Devoted to God: Blueprints for Sanctification by Sinclair Ferguson. Ferguson remains wonderfully prolific. I’ve seen many put his other 2016 publication, The Whole Christ, on their “Best Of” lists—and rightfully so. I just think Devoted to God is even better. It has all the classic qualities of Ferguson’s ministry: deeply exegetical, winsomely Reformed, and continually insightful. I’ve usually said, “If you can only read one book on sanctification, read Ryle’s Holiness.” I now may say, “Read Devoted to God.” I thank God for Ferguson’s service to Christ’s church.

#1—ESV Reader’s Bible. Add my name to the large list of individuals praising Crossway’s work on the Reader’s Bible. I held off on buying the six-volume set, partly because of its cost, and partly because I thought, “Surely it can’t be as momentous as many are saying it is?” I eventually took the plunge and am here to say, “Take this year’s Christmas money and buy a Reader’s Bible.” I find its benefit hard to put into words. The paper, font, and sensory experience make this a Bible reading experience unlike what I’ve had. Maybe that’s just it—my Bible reading felt fresh. Who wouldn’t be eager for such an encounter with God’s word?

Favorite Book for Ordinary Pastors Not Published in 2016

Homiletics and Pastoral Theology by W.G.T. Shedd. Each year I come across an old work on pastoral theology/ministry and think, “Why hasn’t anyone recommended this to me before?” Shedd’s masterpiece did that for me several months ago. Shedd served as a Professor of English Literature for part of his academic career. Literary and rhetorical skill shine through on each page (hence why Wilson can ransack the book for pithiness). This brother knows what style is and teaches us how to preach it. I’m not sure I’ll ever forget his teaching, “The fundamental properties of good discourse are as distinct and distinguishable as those of matter. Many secondary qualities enter into it, but its primary and indispensable characteristics are reducible to three: plainness, force, and beauty.” Feast away my preacher friend. Feast away.

Click here to see my Favorite Books of 2013, 2014 and 2015.

One of technology’s saddest effects is its contribution to the virtual disappearance of letter writing. Today’s correspondence (via email, text, or the like) tends to be an ephemeral exercise. Most of it floats around in the cloud, never to come back down again. When we die we won’t leave behind a stash of letters to edify the coming generations. Thus, we have to turn to the old saints.

And no letters are better to read than Samuel Rutherford’s.

Nearly Inspired

Consider what others said about Rutherford’s work:

• “In Scottish homes for some two centuries the most widely read devotional classic, apart from the Bible, was Rutherford’s Letters.” — Stuart Louden
• “But for that book of letters, hold off the Bible, such a book the world never saw the like!” — Richard Baxter
• “These letters have been generally admired by all the children of God for the vein of piety, trust in God and holy zeal which runs through them.” — John Wesley
• “When we are dead and gone let the world know that Spurgeon held Rutherford’s Letters to be the nearest thing to inspiration which can be found in all the writings of men.” — C.H. Spurgeon

Their Content

In Meet the Puritans Beeke and Gleason offer this overview:

Most of Rutherford’s letters (220 of 365) were written while he was in exile in Aberdeen. The letters beautifully harmonize Reformed doctrine and the spiritual experiences of the believer. Six topics dominate the letters: (1) Rutherford’s love to and desire for Christ (“I would desire no more for my heaven beneath the moon, while I am sighing in this house of clay, but daily renewed feasts of love with Christ,” he wrote); (2) his deep sense of the heinousness of sin (he spoke often of his own “abominable vileness”: “Only my loathsome wretchedness and my wants have qualified me for Christ!”); (3) his devoted concern for the cause of Christ (to David Dickson he wrote on May 1, 1637, “My sorrow is that I cannot get Christ lifted off the dust in Scotland, and set on high, above all the skies, and heaven of heavens”); (4) his profound sympathy for burdened and troubled souls (to one troubled saint, he wrote, “Our crosses are like puffs of wind to blow our ship home; they convey us to heaven’s gate, but they cannot follow it into heaven”); (5) his profound love for his flock (he wrote to Anwoth on July 13, 1632, “My witness is above; your heaven would be two heavens to me, and your salvation two salvations”); and (6) his ardent longings for heaven (“Oh, how long is it to the dawning of the marriage day! O sweet Jesus, take wide steps! O my Lord, come over the mountain at one stride”).

Where to Begin

If you can afford it, grab the full set of letters published by Banner of Truth. Another option is to grab the shorter volume Banner puts out, which is a selection of just under 200 pages.

Once you have the book in hand, set it on your nightstand. Read one or two letters a night before bed. You can also read the letters devotionally. After morning prayer and study of God’s word, read one letter a day. Andrew Bonar’s edition of The Letters contained 365 notes for this reason.

Rutherford can be bleak—he lived in tumultuous times. But the Sun of Righteousness swallows up the affliction and suffering. As Rutherford said, “Be greedy of grace.” I do believe these letters will cultivate such hunger.

Tolle lege!