
I’m frequently asked what leadership books I recommend.
Note: This post contains affiliate links.
I’ve gathered my women’s ministry leadership book recommendations all in one place.
I hope you’ll find them to be a benefit to your leadership journey.
Become a better leader this year. Books for you and your team to read. Is your women's ministry (or church) as welcoming as you think it is? This short book may cause you to readjust your assumptions. As author Thom S. Rainer succinctly states, “Many church leaders and members think their churches are healthier than they really are. Many leaders and members think their churches have better ministries than they really do. And many leaders think their churches are friendlier than they really are.” Disciple Her is a guide for creating discipleship groups for the women in your church. Author Kandi Gallaty's discipleship approach focuses on “spending time in the Word of God, memorizing it, journaling, holding one another accountable, and praying together.” In Faith for Exiles, authors David Kinnaman and Mark Matlock thoroughly examine each of the five practices that contribute to resilience. Discover practical ideas you can implement in your church and women's ministry to encourage and equip young adults. Author Sophie Hudson walks readers through three sweet mentoring relationships God shares with us in His Word – Mary and Elizabeth, Ruth and Naomi, and Lois and Eunice. If you're looking to launch or expand a mentoring ministry, this would be an excellent book to inspire your team! Are you a leader who struggles with the need to be in control? As a fellow sojourner, author Jennifer Dukes Lee walks through the process of identifying areas of struggle and offers encouragement that points to God’s Word and God’s best. Leading Women Who Wound provides practical strategies we can employ when working through conflict resolution. You and your team will return time and again to the timeless, Biblical advice offered by authors Sue Edwards and Kelley Matthews. Mentoring for all Seasons is an excellent resource book on mentoring that you’re going to want to purchase for your team. Unlike other books on mentoring, this book offers scriptural and practical advice for mentors and mentees walking through difficult seasons in life including step-parenting, abuse, single mothering, infertility, menopause, grand-parenting, tragedy, care-giving, and health issues. Your mentors will want to keep this resource handy! Is it time to rethink the way you're doing ministry? Rethinking Women's Ministry guides leaders through a prayerful assessment of their ministry. Packed with Biblical, practical ideas for new and seasoned leaders. Word-Filled Women’s Ministry is not about scrapping what you’ve got on your calendar (though God may prompt you to do some editing), but about checking the focus and the purpose. If you’re a leader who feels your Pastoral staff doesn’t seem the scriptural importance of a women’s ministry in your church, you’ll find help in this book.Must-Read Leadership Books for Women's Ministry Leaders
Becoming a Welcoming Church
Disciple Her
Faith for Exiles
Giddy Up, Eunice
It's All Under Control
Leading Women Who Wound
Mentoring for All Seasons
Rethinking Women's Ministry
Word-Filled Women's Ministry
I’d love to know which leadership books are on your must-read list?
You may also want to read:
Women’s Ministry Team Training Ideas
Is God calling your team to rethink your women’s ministry?
One year ago: How to Get Your Women to RSVP
Two years ago: 10 Ways You Can Encourage Women to Read the Bible
Three years ago: Favorite Posts from 2016
Four years ago: Vision Casting for Your Women’s Ministry – Part 1
Five years ago: Hosting Fellowships with a Purpose
Six years ago: How to Build a Women’s Ministry Binder

Cyndee, this list has given me some great ideas for my leaders to read. Thanks!
You asked for our favorite leadership books and one of the books I ask all my leaders to read is the book by Jen Wilkin, None Like Him, 10 ways God is Different from us (and Why That’s a Good Thing). In order to be able to lead others to God we must understand His character first. One of my favorite parts of each chapter is how Jen helps us remember that we are not God and so we must leave it up to God.
One other book that I must mention is ’30 Days to Understanding the Bible’ by Max Anders. My leaders are always amazed at how this book really captures their attention no matter how well they know the Bible or have been a Christian for years and years.
Spiritual Leadership by J. Oswald Sanders is another of my favorites
7 Women and the Secret of Their Greatness by Eric Metaxas. Reading autobiographies of great Christian women encourages them to understand how much their life really matters and that God has placed them where they are to make a difference for Him in this world.
His Brain, Her Brain: How Divinely Designed Differences Can Strengthen Your Marriage
by Walt and Barb Larimore and Shaunti Feldhahn. I believe this book gives my leaders insight into how men and women are uniquely designed by God to fill different roles. (Walt Larimore is a Dr. so much of what’s included about our brains is based on science and gives us a way to reach out to those that are not Christians who may not be willing to acknowledge that God created us male and female for a purpose). I always explain to the ladies, even those that are not married, that once you start understanding how the male brain is wired, by God, you will have better insight into helping the women you lead understand their husbands, and their sons.
Thanks again for all your postings. I’ve reaped great ideas from your podcasts.
Joani Teixeira
Thanks, Joani! I’m not familiar with some of the books you mentioned, I’ll have to check them out.
Training should be a part of your time together. You may want to bring in an outside speaker or two such as a Pastor or counselor to assist with your training.
I agree and I share many training ideas in this post: https://womensministrytoolbox.com/womens-ministry-team-training-ideas/. 🙂