Growing in Grace: Resources, Summer 2025, Vol. 12

Written By Karen Ristuccia

Quarterly mini book reviews for Christian leaders

Christian Leadership

Michael E. Gerber, The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Do Not Work and What to Do About It (Harper Business, 2004).

While this is not a new book, it is an interesting one for the church planter, the church revitalizer, or the originator of an NGO. Gerber argues that to get an organization to “turn key” (sustainable by other people), the boss must be technician, manager, and entrepreneur—not only having a great product but also a great business. Many of Gerber’s insights are transferrable to small churches and their leadership.

Understanding the Times

Arthur C. Brooks and Oprah Winfrey, Build the Life You Want: The Art and Science of Getting Happier (Portfolio, 2023).

Well-known author and researcher Brooks has written a lot about the pursuit of happiness, an often-elusive quest in our current era. Winfrey provides short responses to Brooks’ teaching (from his popular course at Harvard Business School) about the primacy of family, friendship, faith, and meaningful work. This book explains the outlook of many of the people with whom we share the gospel.

Education

Sam Luce and Hunter Williams, How to Teach Kids Theology: Deep Truths for Growing Faith (New Growth Press, 2025).

Theology is for everyone. Here is a book that provides a pathway for  sharing profound realities with the littlest people in our lives.

Mentoring and Discipleship

Jordan Monson, Katharine Barnwell: How One Woman Revolutionized Modern Missions (Crossway, 2025).

A brilliant, prolific, and humble scholar, Barnwell transformed Bible translation, involving native translators, and so making possible the outreach of the Jesus film. Monson shares the great story of this lesser-known, contemporary hero of the faith.