In a survey by the National Association of Evangelicals (NAE), U.S. evangelical leaders listed topics for books they would want to be published in the next two years. The topics primarily focused on mission, social action and evangelism. One-fourth of evangelical leaders suggested book topics about living biblically in an increasingly pluralistic society, according to the December Evangelical Leaders Survey.

One leader provided the title Living for Jesus in Modern Babylon. Another leader suggested a book on “honoring Christian consciousness while living in community with a world of pluralistic values.” One nonprofit executive recommended a book about the implications of a more pluralistic society on the religious exercise of Christian nonprofits. Other leaders focused outward—reaching out with love to Muslims, engaging a changing mission field, addressing the worldwide refugee crisis and immigration issues, giving generously in order to diminish world economic issues and caring for the poor.

Leith Anderson, president of NAE, commented on the survey’s major trends.

“The proposed book topics speak to the challenges and opportunities evangelicals will face in coming years,” Anderson said. “Many are concerned with how we will continue to engage in a culture that some feel is increasingly hostile to biblical Christianity.”

William Bohline, founding pastor of Hosanna Church in Lakeville, Minnesota, said, “The church needs to adapt, innovate and learn a new language to advance the kingdom in the changing cultural scene.”

Several evangelical leaders recommended books on multi-ethnic ministry and race in the U.S. One leader suggested a book on developing multi-ethnic diversity and multiculturalism in evangelical organizations of the future.

There was a strong emphasis on discipleship among the suggested book titles, including how to avoid being a Pharisee, the true equipping of saints and making the most of the last quarter of life.

Michael Henderson, senior pastor of New Beginnings Church in Matthews, North Carolina, said that discipleship was an important area for growth.

“Relatively little has been written about Christian discipleship in the last quarter of life,” Henderson said. “What are some meaningful pursuits for those in or near retirement that will enable them to make a lasting difference?”

Donald Lyon, apostle of Rockford Faith Center in Rockford, Illinois, agreed, saying, “It’s important to have conversions, but to bring a baby into the world and then not grow them and train them would be criminal. Weak saints equal weak churches and families.”

The Evangelical Leaders Survey is a monthly poll of the board of directors of the National Association of Evangelicals. They include the CEOs of denominations and representatives of a broad array of evangelical organizations including missions, universities, publishers and churches.

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