2018 Essential Reading List for a Kids Ministry Leader

Many folks ask for tips on where to begin or what to read next so we’ve compiled the 2018 Essential Reading List for a Kids Ministry Leader. Make 2018 a year of growth in your ministry and in your leadership skills. The list this year features some of the recent kids ministry books from Lifeway and a few leadership classics as well.  

At CentriKid, we pour into our camp staff as leaders for us at camp and for their service back home. We believe that you can never have too much leadership. During the fall and winter of 2017, the CentriKid Camps office team read through “Nothing Less” and “Gospel-Centered Kids Ministry.” These books are great for your growth, but also beneficial for your ministry team to read and discuss.

Kids Ministry & Leadership Books from Lifeway — find each of these books at lifeway.com or local Lifeway Stores.

• Designed to Lead – Eric Geiger – foundational leadership book for growing leaders.  This book replaces “21 Laws” by John Maxwell as my recommendation for new leaders.
• Nothing Less – Jana Magruder – research made easily accessible for you to help parents understand the importance of kids spending time in God’s Word. You may find this a helpful gift for new parents or a recommendation to all parents in your ministry.
• Kids Ministry that Nourishes – Jana Magruder – Kids ministry philosophy and practical tips from the Director of Lifeway Kids.
• Gospel-Centered Kids Ministry – Brian Dembowczyk – This book stepped on my toes and challenged my thinking about how I teach kids and how I raise my own daughter
• This is Our Time – Trevin Wax – timely cultural insights with guidance for 21st century Christians. 
• Keep an eye out for “What about Kids Ministry” coming in 2018!

These leadership books are considered “classics” in our CentriKid culture — we’ve read through these at different times with our office team and with summer staff leaders like our Camp Directors.

• Spiritual Leadership – Oswald Sanders
• The Advantage – Patrick Lencioni
• Next Generation Leader – Andy Stanley
• StrengthsFinder 2.0 – Tom Rath

As a bonus tip—add the Kids Ministry 101 podcast to your commute or your workout. This podcast is always quick, it stays on-topic and gives great insights from voices in Kids Ministry and ministry leadership.

I hope that 2018 is a great year for you personally—and my prayer is that all leaders in kids ministry will be strong in their faith, grow in leadership, and make the message of Christ clear in the lives of kids under your care.

Jeremy Echols leads the CentriKid Camps team and manages the Lifeway Kids events.  He, his wife Emily, and their precious daughter love their church, their neighborhood, and spending time together.  Jeremy loves to read, watch sports, and grill burgers.