As I begin a new message series tomorrow about spiritual disciplines - I have been thinking really hard about the disciplines I practice. Beyond the spiritual disciplines of studying God's Word, prayer, quiet time, worship, etc - there are some disciplines outside that realm that are important. We might even call them spiritual disciplines, because at the heart every discipline is spiritual in some way. These other disciplines might include excercise, flossing your teeth, or making sure to spend quality time with the family every day.
One discipline I have taken a harder look at recently is reading. Two of the most well known pastors in America are very high on reading. In a podcast I was recently listening to of Rick Warren, he shared that he read his way out of every slump in ministry that he had ever been in. Bill Hybels says, "Great leaders read frequently. They read voraciously. They read classics and new releases. They soak up lessons from the military, from academia, from politics, from nongovernmental organizations, and from church leaders who are leading well. They refuse to let themselves off the hook in this regard, because they now all great leaders read."
As part of a senior pastors' network and trying to learn as much as I can about leading the church, I have been doing a lot of reading lately. It has been a blessing to me. There are so many good books out there. I wish I had more time to devote to reading them.
I am going to try something new on this blog. I have made it a goal to read two books a month and then write a review of each one. I often find that I will read a book and then put it on the bookshelf and there it will stay. In an effort to help me better apply what I learn in these books, I want to take a few moments and to write some of the insights I was able to gain from reading the books. Maybe it will give you a few ideas as well.
One discipline I have taken a harder look at recently is reading. Two of the most well known pastors in America are very high on reading. In a podcast I was recently listening to of Rick Warren, he shared that he read his way out of every slump in ministry that he had ever been in. Bill Hybels says, "Great leaders read frequently. They read voraciously. They read classics and new releases. They soak up lessons from the military, from academia, from politics, from nongovernmental organizations, and from church leaders who are leading well. They refuse to let themselves off the hook in this regard, because they now all great leaders read."
As part of a senior pastors' network and trying to learn as much as I can about leading the church, I have been doing a lot of reading lately. It has been a blessing to me. There are so many good books out there. I wish I had more time to devote to reading them.
I am going to try something new on this blog. I have made it a goal to read two books a month and then write a review of each one. I often find that I will read a book and then put it on the bookshelf and there it will stay. In an effort to help me better apply what I learn in these books, I want to take a few moments and to write some of the insights I was able to gain from reading the books. Maybe it will give you a few ideas as well.
1 comment:
just what we need another pastor reading yet again another book.
i smell gimmicks coming on
stick to the one book
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TyNyHLCppMA
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