7 MUST READ Books For Young Leaders

7 Must-Read Books Every Young Leader Needs in 2025 (and Why They Matter)

What You Read Shapes How You Lead… Here’s what I mean:

Leadership today requires wisdom, conviction, spiritual depth, emotional health. The world is noisy — leaders need curated voices, not more opinions. Books are mentors. They don’t replace discipleship, but they strengthen it. My heartbeat is I want to resource leaders — here’s a curated list of 7 books that have shaped me and the future of young adult ministry.

The Anxious Generation - Jonathan Haidt. He offers timely cultural insight on the world we’re leading in. It’s written to parents who are raising a generation that is overprotected outside and under protected online. Haidt argues that when you give your child a phone, you don’t give your child access to the world - you give the world access to your child. The author goes on to say that until we correct screen time, get phones out of schools, and post pone social media use until at least age 16 - there won’t be a need to rename generations. It’s just one- the anxious generation. This is a must read for next gen leaders!

Theme: Why Gen Z is anxious + how we build resilient disciples
Why it matters for leaders:

  • Frames the mental health crisis affecting young adults

  • Helps leaders build environments of belonging, resilience, and real connection

  • Practical applications for ministry + mentoring

Question for you: How can we build spaces that form character, not dependence?

Lead With Prayer - Ryan Skoog. This is my favorite book I’ve read in the last couple of years. The team of authors - Ryan Skoog, Cameron Doolittle, and Peter Greer interviewed praying leaders from across the world. First off, there are leaders who pray and there are praying leaders. The answers and more importantly stories from those who answered the simple question: “What does your daily prayer life look like?” are inspiring and even life-changing.

Theme: Influence multiplies when leaders depend on God
Why it matters:

  • Leaders don’t just carry vision — they carry people

  • Prayer is strategy, not sentiment

  • Re-centers ministry away from hustle & toward presence

Take it further:
✔ Podcast conversation with Ryan Skoog you can watch on YouTube, Listen on Spotify, or Stream on Apple
✔ Practices: prayer walks, prayer partners, listening prayer - These downloadable prayer cards have been transformational for me!

Question for you: What does your own daily prayer life look like?

Welcoming The Future Church- Jonathan “JP” Pokluda. I still remember a few years ago the flight home to MSP from Dallas, TX after first meeting JP and visiting the Porch - Watermark Community Church’s young adult ministry on Tuesday nights. What God has done there and continues to do there is truly special and will mark a generation. I read the entire book on that flight.

Why it matters:

  • Gen Z isn’t the church of tomorrow — they’re today’s church

  • Practical frameworks for hospitality, discipleship, and leadership development

  • Makes room for young adults to lead, not spectate

Take it further:

Question for you: Where can you hand off real responsibility to young adults?

Future Church - Dr. Terry Parkman. What will the church of the future look like? Are we stuck in old models, old methods, and old wineskins? The mission is unchanging - the ones who will lead in the future will be adaptive! Check out this brand new release to discover how to be a leader who is future ready!

Why it matters:

  • Explores where next-gen ministry is heading

  • Challenges attendance-driven models in favor of discipleship-driven ones

  • Equips leaders to build future-ready formation pathways

Take it Further:

  • Pastor Terry Parkman is a frequent guest on our podcast! Tune into our most recent conversation on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple by searching “Terry Parkman youngadultstoday”

Question for you: Where does your ministry need future framework, not nostalgia?

Anonymous - Dr. Alicia Britt Chole. This book helped me detangle my identity and my vocation. Dr. Chole writes with a velvet sword. In Anonymous, she celebrates hidden seasons and a life of obscurity. Why? Jesus life should be our model. For our savior, 30 years (90%) of his life on earth we know very little about - He was hidden or anonymous. We do know about 10% of Jesus life - His 3 years of public ministry. I’m telling you - in a self absorbed culture of social media and the likes, this book is soul development about hidden formation. Enjoy this one- it’s a gift!

Why it matters:

  • God forms character before He builds influence

  • Hidden years shape leaders more than public ones

  • Encouragement for leaders waiting, grinding, unseen

Moment for Reflection: Am I letting God develop roots, not just fruit?

Take it Further :

  • Podcast with Dr. Chole on youngadultstoday! (search it “Alicia Britt Chole youngadultstoday” - she’s visited a few times :) )

Daniel Generation - Dr. Jolene Erlacher. How do you have the courage to remain standing when everyone around you is bowing before idols? Let alone to bow in consecration and worship when everyone refuses and stands? Jolene takes on a journey through Daniel and looks through the lens of Generation Z is living in a form of a modern day or digital Babylon.

Why it matters:

  • Teaches leaders how to disciple young adults in Babylon, not Jerusalem

  • Cultural intelligence + spiritual conviction together

  • Equips leaders to form courage, calling, and character under pressure

Take it Further:

  • Watch on Youtube, Stream on Spotify, or Listen on Apple “Search: Jolene Earlacher youngadultstoday”

Right here on youngadultstoday! Our very own Book Bundle

(Reaching the Next Gen • Next Next Gen Now • Equip the Saints)

Why it matters:

  • Written by leaders in the trenches of young adult ministry

  • Practical frameworks, stories, and strategies you can implement immediately

  • Collaborative voices → wisdom from across the field, not just one mind

Next Level:

  • We wrote these 3 books in community and they are best read in community! Grab your small group, board, staff, or leadership team and grow together!

  • Use these books for team training and development!

We want to hear from you! Which of these books are most helpful? What else should leaders be adding to their reading list?

Thanks for stopping by! Stick around! This is your home base for young adult ministry. Let’s reach the next generation, together.

One more thing - are you signed up for our FREE Digital Conference on Wednesday, January 21st as we kick off 2026? Hope to see you there! Keep leading strong.

Josiah Kennealy