YPT’s Summer Reading List: 2026

As you prepare for Summer, we want to help you build a strategic reading list. Here are some books I’m either currently reading or have read within the last year that I want to put on your radar. For sake of consistency, I’m using the same categories we use for the Friday Review. Bonus points if you read any of these nerdy books on the beach with your family and endure mockery from friends and family (or maybe that just happens to me?).

The list below includes Amazon Affiliate links. You pay the same price and YPT receives a small portion of your purchase as a credit, which is used to sustain the ministry’s administrative costs. Thanks for your support. 

Youth Ministry

Welcome to Youth Ministry, by Graham Stanton

Graham Stanton is a veteran in Australian Youth Ministry, and his new book is simply one of the best youth ministry books available. It’s easy to read, highly practical, and theologically rich. Unfortunately, it’s only available in print within Australia, but it’s just so good we have to include it. (disclosure: Graham serves on the Board of Directors for YPT, but he didn’t ask us to feature or promote the book… we do so joyfully!)

Deconstructing Youth Ministry, by David Odom

I’ll admit I haven’t finished reading this yet, but what I have read is very good. If you’re looking for a book that will help you develop and sharpen your ministry philosophy, this will be worth your time. David helps you deconstruct the metrics you’re using to measure ministry effectiveness in order to help you reconstruct in a way that will build lasting faith in students. 

Biblical & Theological Studies 

Iconic: Being God’s Image in Your World, by Mike McGarry

Ok. I admit it may be questionable to include my own book here, but I believe more in this book now than I even did while writing it. The doctrine of Imago Dei pops up everywhere, if you have eyes to see it. If you only associate it with social justice and sexuality, then you’re missing out. This really is the foundational doctrine our youth need to hear more about. 

Guard the Gospel: The Value and Treasure of Creeds, by Michael Reeves

This is a very short booklet, but it packs a punch. It’s more than an appetizer but less than a full-course meal, while cleansing your palate from shallow ministry practices that are the spiritual equivalent of fast food. That also makes it a great resource for volunteers or others who are skeptical about the need to discuss topics like the Apostles' Creed or the Attributes of God with teenagers. (note: Union has a whole series of booklets, all of which are quite remarkable and worthy of your time. If you have a habit of buying books you want to read but don’t, then order the mini-book version of their full books to help you decide which books to read in full.)

Cultural Reflection & Contextualization

The Gospel After Christendom: An Introduction to Cultural Apologetics, edited by Collin Hansen, Skyler Flowers, & Ivan Mesa

How do we make sense of what’s happening in our culture, and how do discern the best way to respond? This book features many authors who provide key chapters that will equip you to think missiologically and theologically about culture and the gospel’s role in it. 

Pilgrims and Priests: Christian Mission in a Post-Christian Society, by Stefan Paas

I recently started reading this book at the recommendation of a very smart Youth Pastor-friend who recently completed his Doctorate in Missiology. In my opinion, American pastors really need to start reading more non-American books because those theologians and missiologists are currently doing ministry in the type of post-Christian culture where we’re heading. I wish this book were half the price, but I’m not going to spend $35 on a book and not read it, so maybe that’s the incentive I really need! 

Pastoral Ministry 

How to Read the Bible: A Simple Guide to Deeper Intimacy with God, by David Platt

I’ve shared this book with a few youth over the last year and they were grateful for it. This book is a really practical guide for new believers who want to learn how to read the Bible. Honestly, it’s probably worth ordering a bunch of copies and stocking them in your youth room. 

The Patient Ferment of the Early Church: The Improbable Rise of Christianity in the Roman Empire, by Alan Kreider

It’s no surprise to longtime readers that I’d recommend a Church History book that will help you evaluate your evangelism and discipleship. It’s even less surprising that I’d recommend such a book that devotes such time and attention to catechesis as the Early Church’s pattern of discipleship. This isn’t a quick read, but it’ll mature the way you disciple students. 

Family & Parents

Raising Gen Alpha, by Dave Boden

We recently talked with Dave about this book on the YPT Podcast. Many books about Gen Alpha have seemed like little more than observations about the author’s particular small group, but this book has a more robust viewpoint. Our suggestion: buy multiple copies to read/discuss this book with a few volunteers and parents. 

Prayers of the Church series, by Robert Elmer

This four-book series features prayers from Christians throughout Church History, to read during your devotional time. This isn’t an obvious fit for “Family & Parents”, but if you’re looking for something new for your family devotional time, and to present your kids with good examples of different types of prayers, then this is a great resource.