Why Pastors Must Keep Learning After Seminary (And the Books That Shaped Me in 2025)

“You just finished seminary, why do you keep buying books?” asked the trustee board member two months into my first pastorate.  I don’t recall my specific answer that I gave him that day, but I have refined it over the years and still like to share with freshly minted graduates: “The Master of Divinity is a master of nothing, you’ve just been exposed to a lot. Now you will figure out what you really believe and how you will lead over the rest of your life.”

Later I would be exposed to the leadership maxim that so many of us know: Leaders are learners. I have continued that frame since 1996. 

There is a richness to Scripture as it speaks to so many issues and disciplines that we routinely confront and are immersed in. Staying nourished in God’s Word both waters our soul and gives wisdom and direction for living life in God’s Kingdom. Still, there is much to learn, unlearn, re-learn, and keep on learning during our spiritual leadership journeys. I have found reading to be my primary medium for content intake along the way.  What’s yours?

I share with you my top ten books I enjoyed in 2025 (in alphabetical order). Maybe some of these will be helpful to you in 2026:

Brooks, Arthur C. From Strength to Strength: Finding Success, Happiness, and Deep Purpose in the Second Half of Life. New York: Penguin Random House. 2022.

Crain, Natasha. When Culture Hates You: Persevering for the Common Good as Christians in a Hostile Public Square. Eugene: Harvest House Publishers. 2025

Holland, Tom, Dominion: How the Christian Revolution Remade the Word. New York: Basic Books. 2019

Holsclaw, Geoff and Cyd. Landscapes of the Soul: How the Science and Spirituality of Attachment Can Move You into Confident Faith, Courage, and Connection. Carol Stream: Tyndale House Publishers. 2025

Imes, Carmen Joy, Being God’s Image: Why Creation Still Matters (Downers Grove: IVP Academic), 2023

Jones, Peyton. Church Plantology: The Art and Science of Planting Churches. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Reflective. 2021

Self, Charlie, Johan Mostert and Jamé Bolds. Life in 5D: A New Vision of Discipleship. Tulsa: Empowered Press. 2022.

Smith, Robert S. The Body God Gives: A Biblical Response to Transgender Theory. Bellingham: Lexham Press. 2025.

Staton, Tyler. (Re)introducing the Holy Spirit to Those In Search of an Experiential Spirituality (Nashville: Nelson Books), 2025

Lee Strobel, Seeing the Supernatural: Investigating Angels, Demons, Mystical Dreams, Near-Death Encounters, and Other Mysteries of the Unseen World (Grand Rapids: Zondervan Books), 2025.

And a bonus selection…

Baier, Bret and Catherine Whitney. Three Days at the Brink: FDR’s Daring Gamble to
Win World War II. New York: HarperCollins. 2019.

May the Lord bless your learning journey, your spiritual leadership, and your deep walk with the Lord who loves you!

Kirk

Can’t wait to see you at the Aspire Conference!