Strategy 1:12 Book List: An Excellent Core Library

One of the most amazing things I've ever had the privilege of being involved in is "Strategy 1:12", a missions initiative that my friend Leland Johnson started. In S112, one Western pastor becomes the mentor of twelve pastors or pastoral students in a third-world country for three years. Each year involves a week of teaching and training. One of the most signfiicant things we are able to do is equip these third-world pastors with books. This year is my third year to be involved with S112, and my second year with my own group. The number of books we have been able to purchase is simply amazing! And it reminded me this morning (while I was working on this) that these books represent a very good core library that would be useful for any believer, and especially for an elder or pastor. So, here's the list (this is two of three years worth) - and with the exception of the Concordance and the Vine's Dictionary, I would recommend them all. (These books are good and valuable references for the guys in Africa who don't know Greek, but there are much better resources available with much more information).

(1) The Reformation Study Bible(Bible)
(2) Preparing Expository Sermons (Ramesh Richard)(Preaching)
(3) Matthew Henry Complete Commentary in One Volume Commentary)
(4) Concise Theology (J. I. Packer)(Theology)
(5) Basic Christianity (John Stott)(Apologetics)
(6) Preach the Word commentary (Kent Hughes)(Commentary) either:
• John
• Romans
• Ephesians
• Acts
(7) The Message of the Sermon on the Mount (John R. W. Stott)(Commentary)
(8) According to Plan: The Unfolding Revelation of God in the Bible (Graeme Goldsworthy)(Biblical Theology)
(9) Knowing God (J. I. Packer)(Theology)
(10) Nine Marks of a Healthy Church (Mark Dever)(Church)
(11) Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life/Ten Questions to Diagnose Your Spiritual Health (Donald S. Whitney)(Spirituality)
(12) Talk Through the Bible (Bruce Wilkinson & Kenneth Boa)(Reference)
(13) Master Plan for Evangelism (Robert Coleman)(Evangelism)
(14) God's Word Complete Concordance (John Hughes and William Mounce)(Reference)
(15) Church History in Plain Language (Bruce Shelley)(History)
(16) Each for the Other (Bryan Chapell)(Marriage)
(17) The Christian Life: A Doctrinal Introduction (Sinclair Ferguson)(Theology)
(18) The Legacy of Sovereign Joy (John Piper) (Biography/History)
(19) Spiritual Leadership (J. Oswald Sanders) (Leadership)
(20) Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words(Reference)
(21) The Pilgrim’s Progress (John Bunyan)
(22) The Westminster Shorter Catechism

Year Two

(1) Systematic Theology (Wayne Grudem) (Theology)
(2) Christ-Centered Preaching: Redeeming the Expository Sermon (Bryan Chapell) (Preaching)
(3) New Bible Commentary, 21st Century Edition (edited by G. J. Wenham, J. A. Motyer, D. A. Carson, R. T. France) (Commentary)
(4) New Bible Dictionary (Reference)
(5) The Mortification of Sin (John Owen) (Spirituality/Puritan)
(6) Basics for Believers (Stephen Olford) (Sermonic)
(7) Desiring God (John Piper) (Spirituality)
(8) What’s the Difference (John Piper) (Biblical Manhood and Womanhood)
(9) Evidence for Christianity (Josh McDowell) (Apologetics)
(10) The Holy Trinity (Robert Letham) (Theology Proper)
(11) The Cross of Christ (John Stott) (Theology: Christology/Soteriology)
(12) Keep In Step with the Spirit (J. I. Packer) (Theology: Pneumatology)
(13) The Message of Romans (John Stott)(Commentary)
(14) The Religious Affections (Jonathan Edwards) (Spirituality/Puritan)
(15) ESV Thinline Bible (Bible)
(16) The Hidden Smile of God (John Piper) (Biography/History)
(17) The Message of the New Testament (Mark Dever) (Biblical Theology/Exposition/Survey)
(18) The Deliberate Church (Mark Dever) (Church)
(19) The Peacemaker (Ken Sande) (Counseling/Ministry)
(20) The Message of Acts (John Stott) (Commentary)
(21) Biblical Eldership (Alexander Strauch) (Leadership)
(22) The Gospel According to Jesus (John MacArthur) (Soteriology/Gospels)
(23) Instruments in the Redeemer’s Hands (Paul David Tripp) (Counseling/Ministry)