Caring for the health of body, mind, soul and spirit opens the Christian leader to the riches of God’s transformative grace. Explore the life-giving habits and practices that enrich participation in God's redemptive work.

Our resources, while not exhaustive, will allow you to explore this topic more fully. The foundational resources are important for the development of transformative leaders. The formational resources are of a different sort. These are meant to spark your imagination by introducing you to stories and ideas that have surprising insight into the practice of Christian leadership.

Foundational Resources

• Disciplines of the Spirit by Howard Thurman – Explores five major dimensions of the spiritual life. Also consider Deep Is the Hunger
• Embodying Forgiveness by Greg Jones – A theological analysis of contemporary thought on forgiveness. (For further reflection, see L. Gregory Jones column on Leadership as loving enemies.)
• The Healing Power of Faith by Harold Koenig – Highlights the scientific research that shows a positive relationship between faith and health. For an opposing view, see Richard Sloan’s Blind Faith
• Leading Causes of Life by Gary Gunderson with the Rev. Lawrence Pray – In contrast to the “leading causes of death,” redefines life as a journey toward life rather than death
• Lost Icons by Rowan Williams – An exploration by the Archbishop of Canterbury on how fashion dictates our lives rather than long-held behavioral norms or traditions
• The Means of Grace sermon by John Wesley – An outline of essential Christian practices. Also consider The Good Steward, which includes the body as one part of stewardship
• Pastors in Transition by Dean Hoge and Jacqueline Wenger – Part of the Pulpit & Pew series, summarizing research on 900-plus ex-pastors from five denominations and why they left the pastorate
• Practicing Our Faith – A website and project of Valparaiso University that shifted the conversation about faith toward participating in Christian practices. Director Dorothy Bass along with Craig Dykstra have written several books in the series including For Life Abundant. Consider also Practicing Theology edited by Bass and Volf. (For further reflection, see The practice of faith.)
• Renovaré – Richard Foster’s online resources for spiritual growth in covenant groups based around practices from Jesus’ life and six church traditions. Consider also Foster’s Celebration of Discipline and Life with God
• Springtime, Summertime, Autumn and Wintertime, Christmastide and Eastertide by Phyllis Tickle – Prayers for practicing the divine hours

Formational Resources

• Bowling Alone by Robert Putnam – Explores contemporary isolation and loss of belonging to associations and organizations in America with bowling leagues as a case study
• The Brothers K by David Duncan – A modern rendition of the Brothers Karamazov set to the tune of baseball
• Canaan and The Orchards of Syon by Geoffrey Hill – Poetry rich with theological suggestions
• The Damnation of Theron Ware by Harold Frederic – A fictional depiction of 19th century Methodist preachers and their self-destructive behaviors
• Good Poems by Garrison Keillor – A collection of poetry from Keillor’s daily radio program, The Writer's Almanac
• A Hidden Wholeness by Parker Palmer – Seeks to reconnect people’s soul with their roles to help them live an undivided life
• Leading from Within by poet Sam Intrator and Megan Scribner – A collection of poetry with introductions by well-known leaders
• The Magic Mountain by Thomas Mann – A satire of therapeutic and narcissistic culture
• Questions About Angels by Billy Collins – Poetic reflections from a poet laureate
• Reading with Deeper Eyes by Will Willimon – As you read works of fiction listed here and elsewhere, consider Willimon’s book as a way to help you engage how reading literature can be a practice of the Christian life. (For further reflection, see F&L content by Will Willimon.)
• River Flow by David Whyte – A collection of Whyte’s poetry with 23 new poems. Also consider House of Belonging
• Selected Stories by Andre Dubus – Short stories that realistically—and at times graphically—explore the modern landscape of brokenness and pain