shakers and stackers
By Giles Emery
I recently came up with two terms to describe the type of books we encounter when reading for growth: Shakers and Stackers. These categories help explain how different kinds of books shape our development as learners, leaders, and disciple-makers. By understanding these distinctions, we can become more intentional in how we engage with what we read and grow more effectively.
“Shaker” books challenge our current perspectives, sometimes radically shifting our worldview and pushing us into new ways of thinking and living. In contrast, “Stacker” books build upon our existing knowledge, providing clarity and new language to deepen our understanding. Both types are essential for growth. As J. Oswald Sanders emphasizes in his book “Spiritual Leadership,” intentional reading forms the backbone of spiritual and intellectual development. Leaders are readers.
Shakers: Disruptive and Transformative Books
Shaker books disrupt our worldview and force us to wrestle with new ideas. These books can make us uncomfortable as they reveal blind spots, challenge long-held beliefs, or confront cultural narratives we may have accepted without question. Sanders highlights that leaders must approach reading with humility, willing to encounter books that test their hearts and minds. He quotes Francis Bacon’s advice: “Read not to contradict and confute, nor to believe and take for granted, nor to find talk and discourse, but to weigh and consider.” Shaker books require this kind of posture because they not only challenge us—they grow us.
One example from my own journey is the book “A Deeper Journey,” by Robert Mulholland. When I first read it three years ago, it functioned as a true Shaker. It challenged my understanding of spiritual formation and exposed my tendency toward performance-driven faith. The experience was unsettling but transformational. It pushed me toward deeper surrender and reshaped how I understood abiding in Christ. Sanders likens reading such books to climbing into the “highlands where the air is crisp and rarefied,” where only those willing to be changed by God can endure. These kinds of books invite us to deeper obedience and faithfulness.
Stackers: Refining and Expanding Knowledge
In contrast, Stacker books build upon the foundation of what we already know. These books provide fresh insights, new language, and tools that help us articulate our beliefs and practices with greater clarity and confidence. Sanders stresses that spiritual leaders must read for intellectual growth, acquiring fresh ideas and perspectives to better serve others. Stacker books feel familiar, yet they refine and sharpen our understanding. They tend to be more accessible reads, confirming previous insights while also expanding our horizons.
Interestingly, when I revisited “A Deeper Journey” in the past year, it had transitioned from being a Shaker to a Stacker. Instead of unsettling me, it expanded and deepened the lessons I had previously learned. It reinforced truths that I had internalized, providing me with new ways to articulate those truths to others. This experience illustrates why re-reading impactful books can be so valuable. What was once a Shaker can become a Stacker as we grow, reinforcing maturity and wisdom in new seasons of life.
The Unique Role of Scripture as Both Shaker and Stacker
Unlike any other text, Scripture uniquely functions as both Shaker and Stacker, perpetually alive and active in the life of a believer (Hebrews 4:12). As a Shaker, Scripture convicts and redirects us, revealing areas in need of transformation. For example, Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount disrupts our cultural assumptions and calls us to a higher standard of love and righteousness. (“You have heard that it was said…but I tell you…” (Matthew 5:21-22))
At the same time, Scripture also serves as a Stacker, reinforcing foundational truths and storing wisdom in our hearts like “treasures in a storehouse” (Matthew 13:52). Familiar passages like Psalm 23 remind us of God’s faithfulness and offer new comfort and strength in different seasons. This dual role of Scripture means that it continually equips us as disciples and leaders, both refining and anchoring our faith.
Why Reading Matters for Effective Leadership
Sanders emphasizes that leaders must cultivate a disciplined reading life to remain spiritually sharp and intellectually equipped. Paul’s request for his “scrolls, especially the parchments” (2 Timothy 4:13) during imprisonment exemplifies a commitment to lifelong learning, even in difficult circumstances. Sanders warns against passive reading or consuming information hastily without reflection. As Spurgeon advised, “Master those books you have…bathe in them until they saturate you.” Reading without reflection can become a habit that builds forgetfulness rather than wisdom. Leaders must read deeply, allowing what they learn to permeate their hearts and ministries.
The Importance of Re-Reading and Reflection
Canon Yates recommended reading a book three times—first for an overview, second for thoughtful analysis, and third for reflective review. This practice underscores the value of revisiting impactful texts at different stages of life. Re-reading Shaker books after seasons of growth often reveals how far we’ve come while offering new insights we couldn’t grasp the first time. This rhythm transforms past challenges into sources of strength and deeper understanding.
Shaker and Stacker books both play vital roles in spiritual formation and leadership. Shakers provoke change and movement, while Stackers build endurance and clarity. Scripture uniquely embodies both, offering continual revelation and refinement.
As Sanders reminds us, leaders who cultivate intentional reading habits grow not only in knowledge, but also in wisdom and humility. By reading purposefully and reflectively, we become more effective in leading others toward Christ, equipped with the tools to navigate the complexities of culture and faith with grace and conviction.
