As CAFO President Jedd Medefind regularly says: all ministry is a pouring out.
Life spills from us into others to bring them health. But when life pours out of us without life pouring in, we eventually run dry.
A loss of joy, lack of creativity and feelings of resentment and frustration with those we work with or serve can all be warning signs that we’re teetering on the edge of burnout.
The CAFO team regularly meets to discuss spiritual formation practices, pray together and encourage one another as we seek to become more like Jesus. The following books are some of the team’s most recommended reading to help encourage your spiritual formation this year and strengthen your soul for a vibrant ministry in 2024 and beyond!
We hope you can find something new to read this year in the list below.
Amanda Baird, Manager of Network Programming for More Than Enough, recommends…
- Invitation to Solitude and Silence by Ruth Haley Barton
“Sitting in solitude and silence is not something that I had practiced very much. It was intimidating, and I was worried I wouldn’t be able to focus or sit very long, even when I desperately wanted to connect and listen to the Lord. In this book Ruth Haley Barton helped me set aside the guilt and worry that I won’t be ‘good’ at this spiritual discipline, take a few easy steps, and just begin.”
Elizabeth Correll, Vice President of Engagement, recommends …
- Gentle and Lowly by Dane C. Ortlund
“This book is a beautiful picture of the character of Jesus. I highly recommend it for anyone looking for encouragement and spiritual rest from the One who knows and loves us like no other.”
David Hennessey, Director of CAFO Global Network, recommends …
- Beautiful Outlaw by John Eldridge
“One of my favorite books about my favorite person, Jesus. He is fully God and fully man; yet we don’t often explore his complete personality, overflowing with humor, passion, playfulness, disruption, deep care and abundant love. This book reminds me of the incredibly relatable Jesus I fell in love with and committed my life to serve.”
Jason Johnson, National Director of Church Engagement & Mobilization, recommends:
- The Thing Beneath the Thing: What’s Hidden Inside (and What God Helps Us Do About It) by Steve Carter
“We all have a surface self we present to the world, but our smiling faces often hide our pain that comes from unsuccessful attempts to find relief from deep, hidden hurts. Those hurts are often triggered on the surface by things that draw out the struggle, loss or trauma we feel deep in our bodies and souls. The surface things in the moment feel like “the thing,” yet they are merely signposts pointing to the real things beneath that God wants to heal and make whole in us.”
Jedd Medefind, President of CAFO, recommends:
- Embracing Rhythms of Work and Rest: From Sabbath to Sabbatical and Back Again by Ruth Haley Barton
“A compelling guide to help us understand the importance and practically implement healthy patterns of work and rest, including Sabbaths, sabbaticals and more.”
Rachel Medefind, Director of the Institute for Family-Centered Healing & Health, recommends …
- Renovation of the Heart in Daily Practice: Experiments in Spiritual Transformation by Jan Johnson and Dallas Willard
“This book is immensely practical and wonderfully wise. It is brief and accessible, and it is already a young classic in Christward-formation literature.”
Michael Mitchell, Director of Discipleship & Development, recommends …
- Get Your Life Back: Everyday Practices for a World Gone Mad by John Eldredge
“This book helped me learn several new habits and rhythms that impacted my life in numerous helpful and positive ways. I am healthier and more resilient spiritually and have deeper reserves to draw from today than I did before reading this book.”
Anna Price, Coordinator for Development & Discipleship, recommends …
- How to Hear God: A Simple Guide for Normal People by Pete Greig
“Pete uses Scripture, stories and humor to approach the topic of hearing from God with both reverence and accessibility. Each chapter gives you a lot to think about and apply.”
“This is a book of beautifully written reflections on how the seemingly ordinary moments and assignments are most essential to our connection with God.”
- Rhythms of Renewal by Rebekah Lyons
“Rebekah Lyons approaches the topic of rest and anxiety really practically in ways I hadn’t heard from other authors on the topic. The book is divided into four sections: Rest, Renew, Connect and Create. It shares specific ways you can create rhythms of rest by practicing these four things.”
Jenny Pope, Director of Communications, recommends …
- Liturgy of the Ordinary by Tish Harrison Warren
“This book challenged me to think about some of the ordinary routines in my day and how I can rest and see God’s goodness even in the mundane. Common tasks like brushing my teeth (acknowledging my body and need for care), sitting in traffic (embracing the greater Christian reality of waiting in the already/not yet) and making coffee (pausing each morning in gratitude instead of embracing the idol of productivity) all have new meaning for me after reading this book.”
Ashley Reyes, Director of Brand & Culture, recommends …
- Emotionally Healthy Spirituality by Pete Scazerro
“This is an extremely practical book that leads you through processing your personal and spiritual experiences with helpful tools to grow into an emotionally and spiritually mature believer. It’s great to go through on your own or with a small group.”
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If you’re looking for more resources or opportunities to grow spiritually with your team this year, check out our 2024 Spiritual Formation Calendar Experience, designed for teams to explore biblically-rooted practices and themes of spiritual formation. CAFO Members get 50% off the course price! Contact [email protected] for more details.