One of my resolutions for this coming year is to keep better track of the books that I read. So, to the best of my memory, here a just a few of the best books that I read in 2006.

Ministry
Communicating for a Change: Seven Keys to Irresistible Communication by Andy Stanley and Lane Jones

Best. Preaching. Book. Ever. Just as in other Northpoint Ministry Resources, Communicating for a Change is divided into two parts. The first is a fictional tale about a burnt out pastor who desperately needs help in connecting his sermons with his congregation. He finds just what he’s looking for when he takes a road trip with a truck driver who helps him map out and prepare his messages for maximum impact. Section 2 takes the nuts and bolts from the story and turns them into highly practical tools for any communicator. This is a highly practical book not only for ministers but for teachers, businessman, and coaches as well. This is a quick read that will change the way you prepare for and deliver the important messages in your life.

Confessions of a Reformission Rev. by Mark Driscoll

A lot of ink (both real and digital) has been spilt over Driscoll, the pastor of Mars Hill Church Seattle. Whether it is his headbutting with Emergent or his recent comments about Ted Haggard that landed him in hot water with many bloggers Driscoll seems to draw a lot of attention. Regardless of what you think of him this is an interesting little book. Part how-to and part tell-all Driscoll takes you through the planting of Mars Hill and his own growth and development through the years. He isn’t afraid to say “Hey this didn’t work” and he is quick to give credit to the Almighty when something works like gangbusters. Driscoll might seem a bit rough around the edges but I relished in his honesty and was amazed at how different his voice sounded. Great read for church planters and manly men.

Notable: Confessions of a Pastor by Craig Groeshel, Deep Ministry in a Shallow World Chap Clark & Kara Powell, In a Pit With a Lion on a Snowy Day by Mark Batterson

Business
Small Is the New Big Seth Godin

Small Is the New Big is a collection of business guru Seth Godin’s greatest blog posts culled from his personal blog and others like Fast Company. Each post is listed in alphabetical order and is full of great wit and wisdom. Godin has an incredible knack for writing the simplest yet most profound statements. Small is a great primer to introduce you to Godin’s best ideas. Everything from free prizes to purple cows gets plenty of play here. Keep this book by the bedside table for quick inspirations before bed or for the first thing in the morning.

Pop Culture
The Perfect Thing: How the iPod Shuffles Commerce, Culture, and Coolness by Steven Levy

My favorite part about this book: The chapters are shuffled! How cool is that? Levy takes us through the development of the iPod and its impact on the culture at large is this punchy little book. Each chapter is crafted with great care. Levy’s writing is real and relevant as he carries us through topics such as podcasting, business models, Microsoft, iPod fights. One of my favorite books of the year.

One Step Closer: Why U2 Matters to Those seeking God Christian Scharen

Just as Get Up Off Your Knees, a collection of sermons featuring U2 references, was a completely new look at the gospel in culture genre this too is not your typical U2 and the Gospel book either. One Step Closer wants to challenge the reader to “think about how U2 fits within a larger tradition of Christian voices” pointing us toward the cross. Scharen is able to accomplish two things in this work. First, he does the work of U2 justice by letting the statements and lyrics speak for themselves. Secondly, and most importantly, he doesn’t twist the Gospel to fit into the U2 box. What comes out is a reflective, prayerful tome that introduces people to a band made up of Irish friends whose music is flavored by the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Masterful work.