The books we read, the stories we listen to, the worlds we spend time inhabiting—these are the things that make us. Proverbs 18:15 tells us, “The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, for the ears of the wise seek it out.” Poet Ralph Waldo Emerson is quoted as saying, “I cannot remember the books I’ve read any more than the meals I have eaten; even so, they have made me.” Remembering books is not a problem among those quoted below, though they might agree with the second half of that line. The Banner asked several CRC members which books helped shape their faith development. Here’s what they said.
Jul Medenblik
10 Great Ideas from Church History, by Mark Shaw
It was in my early days as a church planter in New Lenox, Ill. We had launched, and it looked like we were going to survive, but what kind of church would we be?
I still remember this question from the back jacket cover: “Tired of following the latest church-growth fad?” This book by a missionary teacher serving in Kenya was foundational for me to lean into the lessons of church history and those who have gone before. It is broken down into chapters featuring church leaders from history and what insights they can offer to us today.
I still refer to and recommend this book to church leaders.
Calvinism in the Las Vegas Airport and The Smell of Sawdust, by Richard Mouw
How do you transmit and translate the good news of Jesus Christ? What does it mean to be confessional and contextual?
This pair of books have been my friends as Richard Mouw guided me through thinking deeply about what is at the center of Calvinism and also how to honor other Christian traditions such as what Mouw identifies as “our fundamentalist heritage.”
As a church leader, I have had to provide answers to questions such as, “What does it mean to be Reformed?” and, “I grew up Baptist. What are the differences and why?” Clarity, conviction, and civility mark the pathway Mouw illustrates and teaches us.
My God and I: A Spiritual Memoir, by Lewis Smedes
I got to know Lew Smedes in this spiritual memoir that is honest, humble, hopeful, and challenging. The life of a Christian has ups and downs. A tough beginning to life like Lew shares means that struggles are real, but also that with God you can find real joy.
Lew Smedes became a type of counselor to me about how to develop a relationship with God that was both head and heart and had space for the joys and sorrows of life.
Deep Church: A Third Way Beyond Emerging and Traditional, by Jim Belcher
I am allergic to “either/or” thinking. I am more a “both/and” sort of person and leader. As I analyze why that is, I think one reason is this book.
As a church planter, I was exposed to new ways of thinking about church and church forms that some might even call radical. At the same time, I was aware that I was living in a certain tradition and desired to not only respect that tradition but also introduce people to the blessings of what it meant to be Christian Reformed.
In my past, I had experienced an orthodoxy that was traditional, but not necessarily living or connecting with others. Belcher had a similar journey, and his book is a great summary of highlighting “deep” aspects of church life and discipleship.
Rev. Jul Medenblik, J.D., is president of Calvin Theological Seminary and is a retired attorney and former church planter for New Life CRC in New Lenox, Ill. For him books are friends, not tools!
Colin Watson
A Burning in my Bones: The Authorized Biography of Eugene H. Peterson, by Winn Collier
Knowing Eugene Peterson as the author of The Message paraphrase of the Bible, I was intrigued and eager to learn about how God used his life in a way that culminated in such writing. Throughout the work, it became evident that Peterson stayed in constant contact with the word of God, he was faithfully and continually exercising the spiritual disciplines, and did not shy away from giving his perspectives on life issues even when they were unpopular. In particular, Peterson favored small congregations, journaling that “the working out of vocational holiness—cannot be done in a large congregation. It requires a small community.” Having served and worked in small congregations and small groups, it was energizing to read and reflect on this. Peterson was also a learner to his last day. He journaled that he wanted to be a saint and that it was a lifelong process of sanctification but well worth the journey.
The Prophetic Imagination, by Walter Brueggemann
This book really resonated with me. Prophetic Imagination was born of deep biblical and spiritual reflection and invites readers into an atmosphere where we imagine that all of God’s people are treated as if they are made in the image of God, Imago Dei—which they are. He talks about the fact that prophetic imagination proceeds through three basic steps, which I summarize as lament, story, and truth telling, that imagines a just and loving society, and hopes for the possibility of an emancipated future. As an immigrant and an African American, I deeply resonate with this perspective of how we collectively can engage all aspects of society deeply with the Word of God and with the presence of the Holy Spirit to create a beloved community as a precursor to God’s kingdom.
This collection of many of the essential writings of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. includes his posthumously published essay of the same name. This book is an excellent summary of King’s belief that the struggle for Black dignity, decency, and recognition is a struggle for the overall dignity of all races. It is a biblical imperative and mandate that we recognize the God-made humanity of each person and treat everyone as such. If anyone is believed to be and is treated as part of a human hierarchy, this diminishes our understanding of the authority of Christ and how God has created us to be. King indicates that the Black revolution is much more than the struggle for the rights of Black people, and that without this embracing of mutual humanity we are turning our backs on Jesus' command for the body of Christ to be unified, so that the world will know he has been sent by God. The reality of this struggle is something I wholeheartedly embrace.
Colin P. Watson Sr., Ph.D., is executive director emeritus and a commissioned pastor emeritus of the Christian Reformed Church. He is currently a pastoral advisor and elder at Madison Avenue CRC in Paterson, N.J.
Joyce Suh
Experiencing the Trinity, by Darrell W. Johnson
As the title suggests, this made the Trinity, which I had seen as a sort of theological puzzle, into something real and relevant. There is an invitation to join the divine maelstrom that continues to inspire me. If anyone needs to get out of one's head, this would be a great book to read.
The Dark Night of the Soul, by Gerald G. May
This book lifts us out of the problem of pain as a conundrum and into the mystery of God's work in our lives. The dark night of the soul is a place of the hidden work of God—where he takes us deeper with him, but in an entirely loving and protective way. It's very authentic because of the author's own experience.
This book is the story of a man-eating Amur tiger. I like it because it brings science, cultural anthropology, history, and more into one story. We see a glimpse of post-perestroika Russia. We gain a picture of a geographical anomaly. We get into the mind of a creature. I think I've read the book three times.
Joyce Suh and her husband Gil served as missionaries with Resonate Global Mission in Nigeria and Cambodia. She currently works for Resonate as program leader for intercultural gospel witness. She resides in San Jose, Calif.
Syd Hielema
A publishing trend I applaud is to comb the complete works of wise Christian writers and select 366 stand-alone excerpts for a year-long daily devotional book. My wife and I have read this complete compilation several times at the dinner table and been blessed every time. Yancey grasps the breadth and depth of a kingdom vision and articulates it with fresh winsomeness. His corpus tackles the most difficult questions—suffering, injustice, doubt, self-righteousness, mystery—with clarity and grace illustrated by many everyday examples. I love using this book as a gift.
Misreading Scripture with Western Eyes, E. Randolph Richards and Brandon J. O’Brien
CRCNA prayer shepherd Rev. Jon Hoekema pointed me to this book several years ago, and since then I’ve read it with several small groups. I often hear people defend their biblical interpretations by saying, “God is the same yesterday, today, and forever,” as if to say that ends all conversation. Richards and O’Brien, missionaries who have spent most of their adult lives overseas, disagree. God might not change, but our Bible interpretation is very much shaped by our culture, and these authors explore nine everyday ways in which our western eyes distort our Bible reading. Its subtitle, “Removing cultural blinders to better understand the Bible,” summarizes it well. It’s written by conservative leaders for conservative laypersons, and it’s perfect for CRC adult faith formation.
I have read this novel eight times: once to follow the story and seven times as a devotional exercise. I’ve also read the entire novel out loud to my wife. It’s long! The novel is a faith formation autobiography of the fictional title character. We follow Jayber as his walk with the Lord is shaped through his callings (barber, gravedigger, and church custodian), community relationships, engaging with creation, and responding to historical developments. Jayber is beautifully honest about himself, growing in the fruit of the Spirit, a man without guile, an observant servant about the ups and downs of church and community life. As I follow the shaping of his faith, I find my own being shaped as well.
Syd Hielema lives in Ancaster, Ont. He is a retired ministry professor and director of CRC Faith Formation Ministries, currently serving as regional pastor for Classis Hamilton. He is a member of Meadowlands Fellowship CRC.
Carol Bremer-Bennett
The Speed of Trust, by Stephen M. R. Covey
This book came into my life when I was a younger leader, still learning how to build meaningful connections with my team. The central message—that trust is not merely a soft virtue but a measurable, actionable asset—transformed how I approached leadership. It taught me that trust is foundational to every relationship and organizational success. More importantly, it challenged me to become a leader who is not only trustworthy but also generous in granting trust to others. This shift in mindset and behavior helped me foster deeper collaboration, accountability, and resilience within my team. Covey’s insights continue to shape how I lead today, reminding me that trust accelerates everything—from decision-making to impact.
The Fearless Organization, by Amy C. Edmondson
Edmondson’s research—rooted in hospital case studies—reveals how psychological safety enables teams to speak up, take risks, and learn from mistakes. As the leader of World Renew, I saw immediate parallels. Her insights helped me reimagine the spaces where we gather, the tone of our conversations, and the depth of our engagement. I began to prioritize authenticity and honesty, recognizing that only in a culture of trust and openness can we truly grow. This book didn’t just inform my leadership—it transformed it. It gave me language and tools to cultivate environments where people feel safe to be vulnerable, challenge ideas, and contribute fully.
Braiding Sweetgrass, by Robin Wall Kimmerer
This lyrical and profound book is a beautiful invitation into God’s created world. Through Indigenous wisdom and scientific insight, Kimmerer draws us into ecosystems where every being is interconnected and sacred. Her reflections on reciprocity and the strength of community echo the deepest values of World Renew’s mission. I often recommend the audiobook, where Kimmerer’s voice brings a gentle cadence that mirrors the rhythms of nature and storytelling. This book reshaped how I view community, the spaces we inhabit, and the relationships we nurture. It continues to inspire how I lead and live—with reverence, humility, and a deep commitment to shared flourishing.
If you have more time to read or listen, I highly recommend diving into the work of Patrick Lencioni, especially The Five Dysfunctions of a Team, which has transformed World Renew’s leadership and management practices. Think Again, by Adam Grant, woke me up to the dangers of groupthink and the importance of seeing beyond the boundaries we often place around ourselves. I also love Radical Humility by Urs Koenig, which offers a powerful framework for leadership rooted in self-awareness, emotional vulnerability, and service to others. And Slow Productivity, by Cal Newport, is a timely reflection on how to lead and live well in a fast-paced world.
Carol Bremer-Bennett is World Renew's director of U.S. operations. She has an M.A. in educational leadership from Western New Mexico University in Gallup. She has served on the Calvin College Board of Trustees and served as a deacon.