This past weekend our church hosted our second Equip Leaders Conference. The theme this year was “Every Story Counts”. The theme was birthed out of conversations with our Equip Team (discipleship) as we have worked to develop a clearer discipleship pathway. At one point, someone in the conversation said, “I don’t think we need a pathway, I think we need a toolbox.” This was a very interested statement to me and so I prodded for me. For the next half hour we talked about the facts that each person has various religious backgrounds, abilities, skills, opinions, trauma, and family. Discipleship looks different for every single person, so we need a toolbox of gospel-centered tool from which to pull as opposed to a pathway to treats everyone the same.

One of the best at this in our church is Mr. K – one of our elementary teachers. We shared the video below at the conference and I think you’ll appreciate his heart and passion for approaching each student with fresh eyes.

One of our core values at Cuyahoga Valley Church is equipped leadership, so each year at our conference we give away a ton of books to help our leaders grow in their personal walks with Jesus and in their leadership ability. Several of them have asked for me to publish the list of books, so I’ve done so below along with short examinations. I hope that you find something good that will spur you on to deeper faithfulness and service to the Lord and his Church.

A Short Guide To Groups: The Art of Leading Community // Musgrove & Elafros
A Short Guide to Groups is a practical and insightful resource for anyone involved in leading or facilitating small groups. Authored by Robby Musgrove and Kari Elafros, this guide provides clear strategies and tips for cultivating authentic community, fostering meaningful discussions, and navigating the dynamics of group life. Whether you’re new to group leadership or a seasoned facilitator, this book offers valuable tools to help you lead with confidence and create a space where members can grow together spiritually and relationally. Its concise format makes it an easy and essential read for group leaders seeking to enhance their effectiveness.

Authentic Ministry: Serving from the Heart // Reeves
Authentic Ministry by Michael Reeves is a compelling exploration of what it means to serve others with sincerity and depth in Christian ministry. Reeves challenges readers to move beyond surface-level service and embrace a heart-centered approach that reflects the love and humility of Christ. Through biblical insights and practical wisdom, the book encourages ministers, leaders, and volunteers to serve with authenticity, integrity, and joy. Whether you’re involved in church leadership, missions, or everyday acts of service, Authentic Ministry provides guidance for cultivating a ministry that genuinely reflects the heart of God

Disability and the Church // Hardwick
Disability and the Church by Lamar Hardwick is a powerful and necessary guide for churches seeking to embrace true diversity and inclusion, particularly regarding people with disabilities. Drawing from his own experiences as a pastor diagnosed with autism, Hardwick offers insightful reflections and practical strategies for creating welcoming and accessible church environments. The book challenges the church to move beyond mere accommodation and towards full participation, highlighting the vital contributions people with disabilities can make to the body of Christ. This resource is essential for church leaders, volunteers, and congregations committed to building a more inclusive community.

Prayer: Experiencing Awe and Intimacy with God // Keller
In Prayer: Experiencing Awe and Intimacy with God, Timothy Keller provides a profound exploration of the transformative power of prayer. Blending biblical teaching, theological reflection, and practical guidance, Keller helps readers understand the importance of prayer in developing a deep, personal relationship with God. The book addresses common challenges in prayer life and offers strategies for overcoming them, making it both accessible for beginners and enriching for seasoned believers. Keller’s insights encourage readers to experience the awe, intimacy, and power that come from a vibrant prayer life, ultimately drawing them closer to the heart of God.

Show them Jesus: Teaching the Gospel to Kids // Klumbenhower & Harrell
Show Them Jesus is a practical and inspiring guide for anyone involved in children’s ministry. Jack Klumpenhower and Deborah Harrell emphasize the importance of centering gospel truth in every lesson, helping kids not just learn about Jesus, but truly encounter Him. The book provides practical strategies, examples, and curriculum ideas for teaching the gospel in a way that is both engaging and deeply rooted in Scripture. Whether you’re a Sunday school teacher, parent, or children’s ministry leader, Show Them Jesus equips you to present the life-changing message of Jesus in a way that resonates with young hearts, laying a solid foundation for lifelong faith.

A Praying Church: Becoming a People of Hope in a Discouraging World // Miller
A Praying Church by Paul E. Miller is a compelling call for churches to re-center their communal life around prayer. Miller argues that in a world filled with discouragement and despair, the church must become a beacon of hope through persistent, united prayer. Drawing on biblical principles, real-life stories, and practical advice, the book provides a roadmap for transforming your church into a praying community. It addresses common obstacles to prayer and offers solutions for cultivating a culture where prayer is the foundation of all ministry. Ideal for pastors, church leaders, and prayer groups, A Praying Church inspires a renewed commitment to seek God’s presence and power together.

50 People Every Christian Should Know: Learning from the Spiritual Giants of the Faith // Wiersbe & Lewis
50 People Every Christian Should Know by Warren W. Wiersbe and G. Robert Lewis is an inspiring collection of biographies that highlights the lives and legacies of significant figures in Christian history. From pastors and theologians to missionaries and hymn writers, this book introduces readers to 50 spiritual giants whose faith and dedication to God have left a lasting impact on the church. Each profile offers valuable lessons on faith, perseverance, and devotion, encouraging readers to learn from the past and apply these timeless truths to their own spiritual journeys. This book is a treasure trove of wisdom for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of Christian heritage and grow in their faith.

Same Lake, Different Boat: Coming Alongside People Touched by Disability // Hubach
Same Lake, Different Boat by Stephanie O. Hubach is a compassionate and insightful guide for churches and individuals seeking to understand and support people affected by disability. Drawing on her personal experiences as a mother of a child with Down syndrome, Hubach offers a theological framework for disability that emphasizes the shared humanity and inherent dignity of all people. The book provides practical advice for fostering genuine inclusion within the church, encouraging readers to move from mere awareness to active engagement in the lives of those with disabilities. This resource is essential for anyone who desires to reflect Christ’s love by coming alongside and embracing those touched by disability.

The Other Half of Church: Christian Community, Brain Science, and Overcoming Spiritual Stagnation // Wilder & Hendricks
The Other Half of Church explores the critical role that both community and brain science play in spiritual growth and transformation. Authors Jim Wilder and Michel Hendricks blend biblical wisdom with cutting-edge neuroscience to explain why many Christians experience spiritual stagnation. They argue that true transformation occurs when the left and right hemispheres of the brain work together in the context of authentic Christian community. The book provides practical insights and tools for cultivating relational discipleship, where joy, love, and attachment lead to deeper faith. The Other Half of Church is a must-read for anyone seeking to move beyond information-based discipleship to a more holistic, life-changing experience of Christian community.

The Rest of God: Restoring Your Soul by Restoring Sabbath // Buchanan
The Rest of God by Mark Buchanan is a profound exploration of the Sabbath and its vital role in restoring our souls. In a world that glorifies busyness and productivity, Buchanan invites readers to rediscover the gift of rest that God has woven into the fabric of creation. Through biblical insights and personal reflections, he shows how practicing Sabbath rest can rejuvenate our spiritual lives, deepen our relationship with God, and bring balance to our hectic schedules. This book is both a theological reflection and a practical guide for those seeking to slow down, find rest, and experience the fullness of life that God intends.

Caring for One Another: 8 Ways to Cultivate Meaningful Relationships // Welch
Caring for One Another by Edward T. Welch is a concise and practical guide for building deeper, more meaningful relationships within the church community. Welch offers eight simple, yet profound ways to care for others, rooted in Scripture and the wisdom of biblical counseling. This book encourages believers to engage in the messiness of life together, providing encouragement, support, and spiritual growth. Whether you’re a pastor, small group leader, or church member, Caring for One Another equips you to create a community where genuine love and mutual care flourish.

Prayers Inspired by the Psalms (Sheltering Mercy & Endless Grace) // Smith & Wilt
Sheltering Mercy and Endless Grace are beautifully crafted collections of prayers inspired by the Psalms, authored by Ryan Whitaker Smith and Dan Wilt. These companion volumes invite readers into a deeper, more reflective engagement with the Psalms, offering poetic prayers that echo the themes of praise, lament, gratitude, and trust found in Scripture. Each prayer is designed to draw the reader closer to God, providing words that express the heart’s deepest longings and struggles. Whether used in personal devotions or communal worship, these books serve as a valuable resource for those seeking to enrich their prayer life with the language and emotion of the Psalms.

Building Bridges: Biblical counseling Activities for Children and Teens // Lowe
Building Bridges by Julie Lowe is an invaluable resource for counselors, parents, and ministry leaders working with children and teens. The book offers a variety of creative, biblically grounded activities designed to help young people explore their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors in a safe and engaging way. Lowe’s approach integrates scriptural truths with practical counseling techniques, making it easier to address complex issues like anxiety, anger, and identity. Each activity is thoughtfully crafted to foster meaningful conversations and build stronger relationships. Whether used in one-on-one counseling sessions, small groups, or at home, Building Bridges equips adults to guide children and teens toward spiritual and emotional healing.

8 Women of Faith // Haykin & Prior
8 Women of Faith by Michael A.G. Haykin and Karen Swallow Prior highlights the lives of eight remarkable women who made significant contributions to the Christian faith. Each chapter delves into the stories of women such as Anne Dutton, Jane Grey, and Sarah Edwards, exploring their spiritual journeys, struggles, and enduring legacies. Through these biographies, the book showcases how these women’s faith, courage, and devotion to God shaped their lives and impacted the world around them. This collection serves as an inspiration for readers today, offering valuable lessons on faithfulness, resilience, and the power of a life dedicated to Christ.