Bonhoeffer, Dietrich Life Together New York: Harper, 1954
This is the classic work on living with others in the context of Christian community. As such, it has quickly become the visionary text for what it means to be a true fellowship of believers.

Collins, James C. and Jerry I. Porras Built to Last: Successful Habits of Visionary Companies New York: HarperBusiness, 1994
Collins is simply one of the most spiritually-enlightening business writers of our day, though he would (at this point) consider himself a spiritual seeker. This was the book that launched him on to the public stage, quickly followed by an even more popular work, Good to Great (also highly recommended). Built to Last is about building a visionary organization that stands the test of time. Its principles are quickly transferred to the local church, and unlike many business books, well should be.

Colson, Charles and Ellen Vaughn Being the Body: A New Call for the Church to be Light in the Darkness Nashville: W Publishing Group, 2003
Formerly released as The Body, this remains one of the best books on the vision and role of the church in Evangelical Christianity, making up for the gross inattention paid to it by leading theologians and parachurch leaders. Beyond a call to the church, it rings out as a call to be the church.

Giles, Kevin What on Earth is the Church? An Exploration in New Testament Theology Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 1995
One of the few serious, and systematic, treatments of the church in recent years. While Giles may make conclusions that go against various denominational distinctives, his work is thorough and engaging. Though academic and lengthy, it will leave you breathless with the critical importance and primacy of the church.

Hatch, Nathan The Democratization of American Christianity New Haven: Yale University Press, 1989
Hatch explores the first fifty years following the American Revolution in regard to the interplay between religion and culture, specifically the unleashing of the church from traditionalism in order to Christianize the culture.

Hybels, Bill Courageous Leadership Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2002
This is Bill’s manifesto, his grand opus. There is no one who speaks to church leadership with more giftedness, skill, ability, insight and raw anointing than Bill Hybels.

Kimball, Dan The Emerging Church: Vintage Christianity for New Generations Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2003
This is a refreshing, cutting-edge work on the ever-changing dynamics of positioning the church’s preaching, leadership, evangelism, and spiritual formation for maximum cultural penetration and impact.

Mouw, Richard J Consulting the Faithful: What Christian Intellectuals Can Learn from Popular Religion Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1994
This slim volume (84 pages) captures the essence of the importance of the church translating the gospel to the current culture, while giving a solid admonishment to those who would bandy about “cultural compromise” in a way that would stifle the church’s creative freedom to penetrate the culture for Christ.

Warren, Rick The Purpose Driven Church Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1995
This is the single-best book on “doing” church effectively.

White, James Emery Rethinking the Church Grand Rapids: Baker, 1997/2003
Where Rick Warren and others detail how to do things, Rethinking the Church goes back a step and explores “why,” which is one of the reasons it has been used so extensively by those wanting to “get it,” or to help others “get it.” This volume can be purchased online.