Bart Blair shares five essential books to help church leaders grow in their ministry and guide their churches toward greater health and vitality in 2026. Whether you're in revitalization, replanting, or simply seeking to lead more effectively, these books offer practical wisdom and biblical foundations for lasting change.
• Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major podcast platforms
• New episodes release on the 1st and 15th of each month
Lead Pastor at Beulah Baptist Church in Edmonton, Alberta
Every church has discipleship-related systems (classes, programs, models), but not all have an integrated discipleship pathway where systems work together to move people toward spiritual maturity.
"I have found that every church has discipleship-related systems, but not every church has a discipleship pathway. Essentially, any sort of class, model, or program can be seen as a discipleship-related system. However, it's only when all these systems are working together in an interconnected fashion (instead of working in isolation) that you get a discipleship pathway—a system of systems."
• Moves beyond theory to practical systems
• Helps integrate disconnected programs into a cohesive pathway
• Based on real-world church implementation
Small churches have unique strengths—intimacy, agility, and authenticity—that should be leveraged as advantages rather than viewed as limitations to overcome.
"A strategically small church is not a large church that hasn't grown yet. It's a church that has intentionally chosen its size because it believes that's the best way to accomplish its mission in its community."
• Challenges the "bigger is better" mentality
• Gives permission to churches to define success on their own terms
• Helpful for replants and churches seeking to find their identity
The ancient Greek word "oikos" refers to your natural network of relationships—family, friends, neighbors, coworkers, and acquaintances. God has already placed 8-15 of these people in your everyday world as your primary mission field.
Most people come to faith through close relational influence, not programs or events. Share Christ naturally over time with the people God has already placed in your life.
• Pray for these 8-15 people by name
• Build intentional relationships
• Share Christ naturally
• Equips every believer (not just pastors) to be an evangelist
• Shifts focus from programs to personal relationships
• Multiplies evangelism and disciple-making through natural ne...
