Reading List
In addition to reading the Bible, pastors should always be feeding the mind. I’ve been a multi-book reader, that is, I read more than one book at a time. For example, I’m currently reading four books: Using Old Testament Hebrew in Preaching by Paul D. Wegner; Lord, Shut Me Up! Anger Management for Christians by Karen D. Wasoba; Introducing Theological Interpretation of Scripture by Daniel J. Treier; and Why We’re Not Emergent: By Two Guys Who Should Be by Kevin Deyoung and Ted Kluck. Kevin and I actually went through three years of seminary together at the same time. He’s becoming a very influential thinker and pastoral scholar.
The reason I read multiple books at once is because I feel like I’m maximizing my limited reading time. I usually finish 3-4 books within a month’s time. It gives me broader exposure to a number of topics that pastors should read about.
This past year I’ve read: True Story by James Choung; The Next Evangelicalism by Soong-Chan Rah; Prodigal God by Tim Keller; Preaching John’s Gospel edited by David Fleer and Dave Bland; A Practical Guide for Life and Ministry by David Horner; From Midterms to Ministry edited by Hugh Allen Cole, Jr.; Should We Use Someone Else’s Sermon by Scott M. Gibson; Simple Health by David Biebel and Harold Koenig; Leading Congregational Change by Herrington, Bonem, and Furr; Nobody’s Perfect But You Have to Be by Dean Shriver; Ten Stupid Things that Keep Churches from Growing by Geoff Surratt; Pastor to Pastor by Erwin Lutzer; Brothers, We are Not Professionals by John Piper; Dear Pastor edited by John R. Cionca; Marriage at the Crossroads by Aida and Bill Spencer and Steve and Celestia Tracy to which Sarah and I contributed a chapter; among others.
I realize that feeding our souls is crucial, but so is feeding the mind. Continue to read, read, read, fellow pastors. Keep reading and absorbing all that God has to teach us.
