If you’re looking for a good book on what it means to be a godly man, how do you find it? Or what if you’re trying to find a tool to help you build your men’s ministry?
With all of the teaching out there on masculinity and ministry to men, how can we know what’s good and solid and what’s not?
Well, we hope Impactus can make that journey a little easier for you!
What follows is a list of 10 of our favorite books on biblical masculinity, as well as a few excellent resources on men’s ministry, in no particular order! Click on the book title to find it online—we hope you are as blessed by these reads as we were, and motivated to be the man and leader God has called you to be!
Good Man: An Honest Journey into Discovering Who Men Were Actually Created to Be by Nathan Clarkson
One look at our cultural moment, and it’s easy to tell that men and their identities are in crisis. Though lost and fractured, men face the pressure to be perfect. Our reactionary society is quick to condemn and slow to forgive, leaving men more confused than ever about how to live and who to be.
Yet in Scripture, we continually find God choosing to work in and through flawed, imperfect, and broken individuals. Men who had massive character flaws and significant moral failings but who also shared one important characteristic: the desire to follow the call of their Creator.
This book calls today’s man to find his identity in the One who created him on purpose, for a purpose, and encourages him to live an honest, authentic life marked by a winsome combination of confidence and humility.
No Man Left Behind: How to Build and Sustain a Thriving Disciple-Making Ministry for Every Man in Your Church by Patrick Morley
You’ve got men, and you’ve got a church. Add a testimony, some pancakes, a prayer, and—poof!—a men’s ministry. Right?
Making disciples of men—getting them to walk with Christ, live like Christ, and work for Christ—is hard.
If you’ve struggled to get traction with your men’s ministry, No Man Left Behind can revolutionize your efforts. Drawing upon thirty years of research and work with more than 2,500 churches, the authors offer a proven strategy to help you disciple every man in your church.
You can reach men. You can help them grow closer to Christ. This book will show you how.
Way of the Violent: An Urgent Message to the Christian Man by Parker Green
Don’t let the title alarm you; this book is not about violence.
As men search for meaning and an example of manhood to follow, they don’t find a revolutionary leader in the “plastic and convenient” Jesus that is often talked about. Instead, they find a nice man and a good teacher who can’t seem to help with the life that’s happening now, much less give them purpose and something worth living and dying for.
If you ever wondered why your Christianity and your life don’t look like you expected them to, perhaps you need to discover Way of the Violent. Perhaps if we can turn to a biblical and powerful Jesus, the One who is very much alive, we would find in Christ a Man who turned and is still turning the world upside down.
The Toxic War on Masculinity: How Christianity Reconciles the Sexes by Nancy Pearcy
How did the idea arise that masculinity is itself dangerous and destructive? Bestselling author Nancy Pearcey leads you on a fascinating excursion through American history to discover why the script for masculinity turned toxic—and how to fix it.
Research shows that authentically committed Christian men test out as the most loving and engaged husbands and fathers. They have the lowest rates of divorce and domestic violence of any group in America. These facts explode the negative stereotypes and show that Christianity has the power to overcome toxic behavior in men and reconcile the sexes.
The Men We Need: God’s Purpose for the Manly Man, the Avid Indoorsman, or Any Man Willing to Show Up by Brant Hensen
The world needs real men, real bad.
But here’s the problem: While we know what men are not supposed to be, it’s not clear to us what biblical masculinity looks like when men are at their absolute best.
Combining depth and humor, Brant Hensen calls for men of all interests and backgrounds (including avid indoorsmen like himself) to make key godly decisions to set them apart, including:
● protect the vulnerable
● be ambitious about the right things
● choose today who you will become tomorrow
● take responsibility for your own spiritual life
The Men We Need is witty, challenging, bracingly honest, and perfect for any man who wants to know, “Why am I here?”—and is ready to show up.
Non-Toxic Masculinity: Recovering Healthy Male Sexuality by Zachary Wagner
Dismissals such as “boys will be boys” and “not all men” are ingrained in our world. And the purity culture of our youth sold the same excuses with a spiritual spin.
Can we recover a healthy sexual identity for men?
Reflecting on his own coming of age in the purity culture movement and ongoing recovery from sexual shame, Wagner confronts harmful teachings from the American church that have distorted desire, sex, relationships, and responsibility. For men who feel disillusioned and adrift, this book offers a renewed vision of Christian male sexuality founded on empathy and selflessness.
The Dude’s Guide to Manhood: Finding True Manliness in a World of Counterfeits by Darrin Patrick
Filled with timeless wisdom, accessible insights, and practical guidance, The Dude’s Guide to Manhood issues an encouraging and doable call to all men, whatever your age or stage. We need not settle for wandering aimlessly through our days, wounded, weak, and passive. Instead, we can get back on the trail, embrace our gifts while facing our imperfections, and trust the God of new beginnings to lead us into all that we are destined to become: forgiven, connected, determined, teachable, content, heroic, and so much more.
How to Build a Life-Changing Men’s Ministry: Practical Ideas and Insights for Your Church by Steve Sonderman
The past few years have brought a God-sent explosion of opportunities for men to grow spiritually. Large meetings, weekend retreats, and urban and overseas mission projects lead men to want more.
What can men in a local church or fellowship do—week in and week out—to grow into what God wants them to be?
Author Steve Sonderman is on the leading edge of local church ministry to men. How to Build a Life-Changing Men’s Ministry overviews the nuts and bolts of putting together a men’s ministry that works. It provides both inspiration and expert guidance for men who want to bring the fire home.
Christ-Centered Masculinity: Becoming the Man God Intends by Paul Pettit
You’ve probably heard about “toxic masculinity.” Now, study and live out “Christ-centered masculinity” instead. This practical 12-week study shows how to leave a lasting legacy of love and service by practicing the highest ideals of masculinity…those of Jesus Christ.
The Man in the Mirror: Solving the 24 Problems Men Face by Patrick Morley
Are you ready to trade the demands of the never-ending rat race for the timeless rewards of godly manhood?
With its practical advice, thought-provoking questions, and biblical insights, the classic book The Man in the Mirror will challenge you to reflect on your life, identify your problem areas, and make the changes necessary to love God, yourself, and others better.
Along the way, Morley addresses the questions he’s asked the most often, including:
- How can I fix my broken relationships?
- How can I establish financial strength?
- How do I tackle pride, fear, and anger?
- How do I set priorities and decide what’s important?
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