20th Annual Celebration of the Best
For the 20th year, Outreach magazine is celebrating some of the best outreach-oriented books by honoring them as Outreach Resources of the Year.
The Outreach Resources of the Year aims to highlight valuable resources for church leaders and bring deserved attention to tools that can help churches better engage in effective outreach to share the gospel and reach their communities for Christ. The resources are featured in the March/April 2023 issue of Outreach magazine.
Resources published between Nov. 1, 2021, and Oct. 31, 2022, were submitted for consideration. An expert in each category evaluated the resources and chose what they considered to be the best. The experts also chose how many resources to recognize, and whether to include any as “Also Recommended.”
The 20th Annual Outreach Resources of the Year are:
APOLOGETICS
Evaluated by Andrew MacDonald, associate director of the Wheaton College Billy Graham Center Research Institute.
RESOURCE OF THE YEAR
- Wandering Toward God: Finding Faith Amid Doubts and Big Questions by Travis Dickinson (IVP)
ALSO RECOMMENDED
- A Doubter’s Guide to World Religions: A Fair and Friendly Introduction to the History, Beliefs and Practices of the Big Five by John Dickson (Zondervan Reflective)
CHRISTIAN LIVING
Evaluated by Ken Wytsma, award-winning author of The Myth of Equality and Pursuing Justice
RESOURCE OF THE YEAR
- Rembrandt Is in the Wind: Learning to Love Art Through the Eyes of Faith by Russ Ramsey (Zondervan Reflective)
ALSO RECOMMENDED
- How to Inhabit Time: Understanding the Past, Facing the Future, Living Faithfully Now by James K.A. Smith (Brazos Press)
CHURCH
Evaluated by R. York Moore, national evangelist and executive director for catalytic partnerships for InterVarsity Christian Fellowship and co-founder of EveryCampus.
RESOURCE OF THE YEAR
- The Church After Innovation: Questioning Our Obsession with Work, Creativity and Entrepreneurship by Andrew Root (Baker Academic)
COUNSELING AND RELATIONSHIPS
Evaluated by Drs. Les and Leslie Parrott, founders of the marriage assessment SYMBIS.com and authors of Saving Your Marriage Before It Starts.
RESOURCE OF THE YEAR
- Seasons of Sorrow: The Pain of Loss and the Comfort of God by Tim Challies (Zondervan Reflective)
LEADERSHIP
Evaluated by A.J. Swoboda, associate professor of Bible, theology and World Christianity at Bushnell University and lead mentor for the doctor of ministry program at Fuller Theological Seminary on the Holy Spirit and Leadership. He is the author of many books, including last year’s Spiritual Growth resource of the year After Doubt (Brazos).
RESOURCE OF THE YEAR
- Preaching to a Divided Nation: A Seven-Step Model for Promoting Reconciliation and Unity by Matthew D. Kim and Paul A. Hoffman (Baker Academic)
ALSO RECOMMENDED
- When Women Lead: Embrace Your Authority, Move Beyond Barriers, and Find Joy in Leading Others by Carolyn Moore (Zondervan Reflective)
MISSIONAL AND CROSS-CULTURAL
Evaluated by Robert Gallagher, professor emeritus of intercultural studies at Wheaton College Graduate School and teaching pastor at Lombard Bible Church in Lombard, Illinois.
RESOURCE OF THE YEAR
- Virtuous Persuasion: A Theology of Christian Mission by Michael Niebauer (Lexham Academic)
SOCIAL ISSUES
Evaluated by Mark DeYmaz, directional leader of Mosaic Church of Central Arkansas and convener of the National Multiethnic Church Conference.
RESOURCES OF THE YEAR
- Agents of Flourishing: Pursuing Shalom in Every Corner of Society by Amy L. Sherman (IVP Praxis)
- Inalienable: How Marginalized Kingdom Voices Can Help Save the American Church by Eric Costanzo, Daniel Yang and Matthew Soerens (IVP)
ALSO RECOMMENDED
- Called to Reconciliation: How the Church Can Model Justice, Diversity and Inclusion by Jonathan C. Augustine (Baker Academic)
- Voices of Lament: Reflections on Brokenness and Hope in a World Longing for Justice Edited by Natasha Sistrunk Robinson* (Revell)
* Editor’s Note: Natasha Sistrunk Robinson is a columnist and contributing editor for Outreach magazine.
SPIRITUAL GROWTH
Evaluated by Thomas Bandy, director of Thriving Church Consulting and the author of more than 60 books and articles.
RESOURCES OF THE YEAR
- Analog Christian: Cultivating Contentment, Resilience and Wisdom in the Digital Age by Jay Y. Kim (IVP)
- How to Hear God: A Simple Guide for Normal People by Pete Greig (Zondervan Reflective)
THEOLOGY AND BIBLICAL STUDIES
Evaluated by Scot McKnight, author or editor of some 60 books and the Julius R. Mantey Chair of New Testament at Northern Seminary in Lisle, Illinois.
RESOURCE OF THE YEAR
- The Lord Roars: Recovering the Prophetic Voice for Today by M. Daniel Carroll R. (Baker Academic)
YOUTH AND KIDS
Evaluated by Russell St. Bernard, an Outreach magazine contributing editor; director of strategic ministry operations at Kingdom Fellowship AME Church in Calverton, Maryland; and founder of After the Music Stops, Ministry Pivot and The Pivot University.
RESOURCES OF THE YEAR
- The Apostles’ Creed: For All God’s Children by Ben Myers; illustrated by Natasha Kennedy (Lexham Press)
- Gentegration: Connecting Leaders Across Generations by Bobby Manning (StreetLight Ministries)
ALSO RECOMMENDED
- How to Fight Racism (Young Reader’s Edition): A Guide to Standing Up for Racial Justice by Jemar Tisby (Zonderkidz)
- The Case for Heaven (Young Reader’s Edition): Investigating What Happens After Our Life on Earth by Lee Strobel (Zonderkidz)
ABOUT OUTREACH MAGAZINE
With an emphasis on evangelism, discipleship and service, Outreach magazine offers ideas, innovations and resources for churches that seek to reach their community and change the world. Founded in January 2003 by church communications company Outreach Inc., Outreach is an award-winning, bimonthly periodical for church leaders and is available by subscription. Find out more at OutreachMagazine.com.
