The First 250 Books for Your Church Library

I am sometimes asked to help churches evaluate their libraries, and to suggest the books they should add and the ones they should take away. I thought it might prove helpful to put together a list of the first 250 books that can get a church well on its way to having a great library.

No one will agree with every book on this list. In fact, by this time tomorrow I probably won’t agree with them all either. But I think you’ll still find it a very good place to begin as you attempt to build a well-rounded, trustworthy church library. I will work on a list for the children’s portion of the library next.

(Note: links to Amazon and Westminster Books are affiliate links, which means I earn from qualifying purchases.)

Starting Out

These are books for new believers, or those who are discipling them.

AmazonWestminster BooksMy review

1		What Is the Gospel? Greg Gilbert
2		Basic Christianity John Stott
3		Now What? Aaron Armstrong
4		Grounded in the Faith Kenneth Erisman
5		The Quiet Time Kickstart Rachel Jones
6		Core Christianity Michael Horton
7		The Gospel Way Catechism Trevin Wax & Thomas West
8		The Good News We Almost Forgot Kevin DeYoung
9		Stop Asking Jesus Into Your Heart J.D. Greear
10		How Can I Be Sure I’m a Christian? Donald Whitney

Reading and Understanding the Bible

Books that help you read the Bible and teach you to do so yourself.

11		ESV Study Bible
12		Reformation Study Bible
13		Knowing Scripture R.C. Sproul
14		Read This First Gary Millar
15		How to Get the Most from God’s Word John MacArthur
16		Taking God at His Word Kevin DeYoung
17		Women of the Word Jen Wilkin
18		One-to-One Bible Reading David Helm
19		The One Story Bible Greg Gilbert
20		A Divine Tapestry Ryan McGraw
21		Dig Deeper Nigel Beynon & Andrew Sach
22		Can We Trust the Gospels? Peter J. Williams
23		New Bible Dictionary IVP (ed. Marshall, Millard, Packer, Wiseman)
24		ESV Bible Atlas Crossway (Currid & Barrett)
25		Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life Donald Whitney

God, the Gospel, and Doctrine

Theology to get you grounded.

26		Knowing God J.I. Packer
27		The Holiness of God R.C. Sproul
28		Chosen by God R.C. Sproul
29		What Is Reformed Theology? R.C. Sproul
30		Putting Amazing Back into Grace Michael Horton
31		The Doctrines of Grace James Montgomery Boice & Philip Ryken
32		Delighting in the Trinity Michael Reeves
33		The Deep Things of God Fred Sanders
34		None Like Him Jen Wilkin
35		Gentle and Lowly Dane Ortlund
36		The Cross of Christ John Stott
37		The Truth of the Cross R.C. Sproul
38		The Gospel Ray Ortlund
39		The Prodigal God Tim Keller
40		The Whole Christ Sinclair Ferguson
41		Christian Beliefs Wayne Grudem
42		Daily Doctrine Kevin DeYoung
43		Urban Legends of Theology Michael Wittmer
44		The Difficult Doctrine of the Love of God D.A. Carson

Christian Living and Growth

Holiness, habits, and Christian living.

45		The Pursuit of Holiness Jerry Bridges
46		The Discipline of Grace Jerry Bridges
47		Respectable Sins Jerry Bridges
48		Trusting God Jerry Bridges
49		The Hole in Our Holiness Kevin DeYoung
50		Habits of Grace David Mathis
51		Devoted to God Sinclair Ferguson
52		Ten Questions to Diagnose Your Spiritual Health Donald Whitney
53		Uprooting Anger Robert Jones
54		The Blessing of Humility Jerry Bridges
55		Don’t Waste Your Life John Piper
56		Desiring God John Piper
57		Just Do Something Kevin DeYoung
58		Crazy Busy Kevin DeYoung
59		Conscience Andrew Naselli & J.D. Crowley
60		Resisting Gossip Matthew Mitchell
61		Good and Angry David Powlison
62		When People Are Big and God Is Small Edward Welch

Prayer and Devotion

Books to teach you how to pray, and then help you with it.

63		A Praying Life Paul Miller
64		Prayer Tim Keller
65		Praying the Bible Donald Whitney
66		Praying Backwards Bryan Chapell
67		The Prayer of the Lord R.C. Sproul
68		Praying Together Megan Hill
69		The Valley of Vision ed. Arthur Bennett
70		Piercing Heaven ed. Robert Elmer
71		New Morning Mercies Paul David Tripp
72		Morning and Evening Charles Spurgeon

Classics

Books that, for good reason, have outlived their authors.

73		The Pilgrim’s Progress John Bunyan
74		Confessions Augustine
75		Mere Christianity C.S. Lewis
76		The Screwtape Letters C.S. Lewis
77		Holiness J.C. Ryle
78		Thoughts for Young Men J.C. Ryle
79		The Bruised Reed Richard Sibbes
80		Precious Remedies Against Satan’s Devices Thomas Brooks
81		The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment Jeremiah Burroughs
82		Overcoming Sin and Temptation John Owen (ed. Kapic & Taylor)
83		A Little Book on the Christian Life John Calvin
84		All of Grace Charles Spurgeon

The Church

Why the local church matters and why every Christian needs to be part of one.

85		Nine Marks of a Healthy Church Mark Dever
86		What Is a Healthy Church Member? Thabiti Anyabwile
87		Church Membership Jonathan Leeman
88		The Prodigal Church Jared C. Wilson
89		Rediscover Church Collin Hansen & Jonathan Leeman
90		The Loveliest Place Dustin Benge
91		Love the Ones Who Drive You Crazy Jamie Dunlop
92		The Compelling Community Mark Dever & Jamie Dunlop
93		Finding the Right Hills to Die On Gavin Ortlund
94		Spiritual Gifts Thomas Schreiner

Evangelism and Apologetics

Books on sharing the faith and defending it.

95		The Reason for God Tim Keller
96		Confronting Christianity Rebecca McLaughlin
97		Tactics Greg Koukl
98		Cold-Case Christianity J. Warner Wallace
99		The Case for Christ Lee Strobel
100		Finding Truth Nancy Pearcey
101		Total Truth Nancy Pearcey
102		The Story of Reality Greg Koukl
103		Fool’s Talk Os Guinness
104		The World Next Door Rory Shiner & Peter Orr
105		The Gospel and Personal Evangelism Mark Dever
106		Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God J.I. Packer
107		Reaching Your Muslim Neighbor with the Gospel Ayman Ibrahim
108		World Religions in Seven Sentences Douglas Groothuis
109		The Deconstruction of Christianity Alisa Childers & Tim Barnett

Missions and the Global Church

Books on the church’s mission, both local and global.

110		Let the Nations Be Glad! John Piper
111		When Helping Hurts Steve Corbett & Brian Fikkert
112		Missions: How the Local Church Goes Global Andy Johnson
113		Dispatches from the Front Tim Keesee
114		From the Rising of the Sun Tim Challies & Tim Keesee
115		Faith in the Wilderness ed. Hannah Nation & Simon Liu
116		Operation World Jason Mandryk
117		The New Shape of World Christianity Mark Noll

Marriage, Sex, and Singleness

Books on marriage, sex, and living single.

118		The Meaning of Marriage Tim & Kathy Keller
119		When Sinners Say “I Do” Dave Harvey
120		This Momentary Marriage John Piper
121		Gospel-Shaped Marriage Chad & Emily Van Dixhoorn
122		Married for God Christopher Ash
123		Love That Lasts Gary & Betsy Ricucci
124		Build a Stronger Marriage Bob Lepine
125		Counsel for Couples Jonathan Holmes
126		The Marriage Bed Ray Rhodes
127		Redeeming Sex in Marriage Scott Mehl
128		What Is the Meaning of Sex? Denny Burk
129		Single Together Lisa LaGeorge
130		Marriage, Divorce, and Remarriage Jim Newheiser

Parenting and Family

Books on parenting and raising children.

131		Shepherding a Child’s Heart Tedd Tripp
132		Instructing a Child’s Heart Tedd & Margy Tripp
133		Parenting Paul David Tripp
134		Age of Opportunity Paul David Tripp
135		Gospel-Powered Parenting William Farley
136		Purposeful and Persistent Parenting John & Cindy Raquet
137		Everyday Talk Jay Younts
138		The Disciple-Making Parent Chap Bettis
139		Family Worship Donald Whitney
140		Big Truths for Young Hearts Bruce Ware
141		Risen Motherhood Emily Jensen & Laura Wifler
142		What Do I Say When…? Andrew & Christian Walker
143		The Tech Exit Clare Morell

Men and Women

Books that address issues specific to men and women.

144		The Masculine Mandate Richard Phillips
145		Disciplines of a Godly Man R. Kent Hughes
146		The Men We Need Brant Hansen
147		Reclaiming Masculinity Matt Fuller
148		The Humility Project for Men Edward Welch
149		Feminine Appeal Carolyn Mahaney
150		Adorned Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth
151		True Woman 101 Mary Kassian & Nancy Leigh DeMoss
152		To Be a Woman Katie McCoy
153		Glimpses of Grace Gloria Furman
154		Men and Women in the Church Kevin DeYoung
155		Mere Complementarianism Denny Burk

Suffering, Grief, and Death

Books on suffering, grief, death, and other forms of sorrow.

156		Surprised by Suffering R.C. Sproul
157		If God Is Good Randy Alcorn
158		Suffering and the Sovereignty of God ed. John Piper & Justin Taylor
159		Does Grace Grow Best in Winter? Ligon Duncan
160		A Book of Comfort for Those in Sickness P.B. Power
161		Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy Mark Vroegop
162		When God Weeps Joni Eareckson Tada & Steve Estes
163		Hope When Life Unravels Adam Dooley
164		The Last Enemy Michael Wittmer
165		Seasons of Sorrow Tim Challies
166		Grieving, Hope and Solace Albert N. Martin
167		You Are Still a Mother Jackie Gibson
168		Heaven Randy Alcorn

Mental Health and Counseling

Books on mental health struggles and counseling.

169		Made to Tremble Blair Linne
170		Is It Unspiritual to Be Depressed? Paul Ritchie
171		Running Scared Edward Welch
172		Understanding Trauma Steve Midgley
173		Side by Side Edward Welch
174		You’re Only Human Kelly Kapic
175		Finally Free Heath Lambert
176		Addiction and the Local Church Andy Constable & Mez McConnell

Culture and Contemporary Issues

Books on understanding today’s culture and contemporary issues.

177		Strange New World Carl Trueman
178		The Air We Breathe Glen Scrivener
179		Remaking the World Andrew Wilson
180		The Gathering Storm Albert Mohler
181		Confronting Injustice without Compromising Truth Thaddeus Williams
182		Is God Anti-Gay? Sam Allberry
183		Secret Thoughts of an Unlikely Convert Rosaria Butterfield
184		Love Thy Body Nancy Pearcey
185		Does God Care About Gender Identity? Samuel Ferguson
186		A Field Guide on Gender and Sexuality Ligonier Ministries
187		The Case for Life Scott Klusendorf
188		Digital Liturgies Samuel James
189		Terms of Service Chris Martin

Work, Money, Time, and Aging

Books for those with questions about work, money, time, and aging.

190		Work Daniel Doriani
191		The Gospel at Work Greg Gilbert & Sebastian Traeger
192		What’s Best Next Matt Perman
193		Do More Better Tim Challies
194		Managing God’s Money Randy Alcorn
195		The Treasure Principle Randy Alcorn
196		Money, Debt, and Finances Jim Newheiser
197		Zeal Without Burnout Christopher Ash
198		Not Old, Not Young, Not Done Christopher Ash
199		Making Good Return Kathleen Nielson

Biography

Worthwhile biographies that span a range of subjects.

200		Fearless Pilgrim Faith Cook
201		John Calvin: Pilgrim and Pastor W. Robert Godfrey
202		Here I Stand Roland Bainton
203		A Short Life of Jonathan Edwards George Marsden
204		Spurgeon Arnold Dallimore
205		Susie Ray Rhodes Jr.
206		George Whitefield Arnold Dallimore
207		John Newton Jonathan Aitken
208		Amazing Grace Eric Metaxas
209		William Tyndale David Daniell
210		Lady Jane Grey Faith Cook
211		Hudson Taylor: Gospel Pioneer to China Vance Christie
212		Adoniram Judson Vance Christie
213		Amy Carmichael: Beauty for Ashes Iain Murray
214		John and Betty Stam Vance Christie
215		For the Love of India Jim Cromarty
216		Missionary to the Cannibals of the South Seas Paul Schlehlein
217		Pure Gold David McCasland
218		The Hiding Place Corrie ten Boom
219		Through Gates of Splendor Elisabeth Elliot
220		David Livingstone Vance Christie
221		R.C. Sproul: A Life Stephen Nichols
222		Timothy Keller Collin Hansen

Church History

Books to help you understand your history as a Christian.

223		Church History 101 Sinclair Ferguson, Joel Beeke & Michael Haykin
224		Church History in Plain Language Bruce Shelley
225		30 Key Moments in the History of Christianity Mark W. Graham
226		Sketches from Church History S.M. Houghton
227		The Unquenchable Flame Michael Reeves
228		The Reformation Stephen Nichols
229		For Us and For Our Salvation Stephen Nichols
230		Meet the Puritans Joel Beeke & Randall Pederson

Pastor’s Reference Shelf

Books that a pastor uses and wants you to use as well.

231		ESV Expository Commentary (12 volumes) Crossway (ed. Duguid, Hamilton & Sklar)
232		Systematic Theology Wayne Grudem
233		The Wonderful Works of God Herman Bavinck
234		Institutes of the Christian Religion John Calvin
235		A Puritan Theology Joel Beeke & Mark Jones
236		Creeds, Confessions, and Catechisms ed. Chad Van Dixhoorn
237		2,000 Years of Christ’s Power (5 volumes) Nick Needham
238		Saving Eutychus Gary Millar & Phil Campbell
239		Conduct Gospel-Centered Funerals Brian Croft & Phil Newton
240		Pierced for Our Transgressions Jeffery, Ovey & Sach
241		Biblical Eldership Alexander Strauch
242		The Deliberate Church Mark Dever & Paul Alexander
243		The Trellis and the Vine Colin Marshall & Tony Payne
244		The Care of Souls Harold Senkbeil
245		Instruments in the Redeemer’s Hands Paul David Tripp
246		Christ-Centered Preaching Bryan Chapell
247		Rediscovering Expository Preaching ed. John MacArthur
248		Lectures to My Students Charles Spurgeon
249		The Reformed Pastor Richard Baxter
250		Worship by the Book ed. D.A. Carson