Suggestions on how to Read Widely

Last week there was a post on Reading Widely. This week there is some "how to"
If you don't have time to read, consider these suggestions:

1. "Double Duty" - read something that doubles for something else, or use time that you are doing something else, to read. For example- if you are trying to reach out to a neighbor, ask him what he is reading and then read it as a witnessing possibility. Or listen to a classic while driving for 10 minutes, or sitting in line at the bank. Use time when you are running, or normally not productive. Crystal and I listen to a book before we fall asleep. Read to your kids. (Tell me how John Calvin is with sound effects and voices!)

2. Read Wisely -
A. recognize that not all you are going to read deserves to be read and you are not going to remember everything you read. Most is trash. Even on good books there are poor parts. Skim when you get to those.

B. Recognize when you read the best. I think the most clearly from 7-11 am. That is when I read the heaviest stuff. Blog posts, fiction, and history can come at other times.

C. And then don't read like you have to understand every word. Recognize that a good book you will read again, and again, and again. (More on this later)

D. Don't think you have to read everything at once. This is a lifelong process. (Insight courtesy of Scott)

Reading Widely

One of the things which I think is so important in a ministry mindset is a big picture mentality. I wish I had one. But I don’t. For that reason I need to read, a lot.

Reading widely is important because everyone with whom you come in contact has a different background. (Surprise, surprise, not everyone likes what you like. Not everyone views life like you do. They like what I like. Obviously.) If you want to make connections, guide conversations, and build meaningful relationships, you need to know something about the person to whom you are speaking.

Reading widely allows you to converse with others. You probably don’t have the time to take a course, get a job, or learn a skill of the area of interest of everyone you come in contact with. But you could have a broader base to make connections. That is where reading comes in. You may have never served in Vietnam, but you could read a book by someone who did. You may have never led a Fortune 500 company, but you could read a book by someone who has. You may never have learned to to knit, but...plead ignorance.

Reading widely can open up new areas of interest for you. Here are several areas in which I have found it helpful to dawdle.

1. History - Some of my favorites are “Undaunted Courage” and “Band of Brothers” by Ambrose. “Unbroken” by Hillenbrand was helpful as well.
2. Business - Nancy Duarte has written some great books on business presentations. Podcasts and blogs are abundant (later post).
3. Pop Culture - We normally check out audio books and listen to them at night or on trips. We listened to a couple of the Percy Jackson books (ok, but there are definitely better ones out there)
4. Sports - if you are part of a league, group, or exercise club, read what they are talking about.

Thinking about Ministry...

Perhaps in the past you have merely been a pew warmer, but you are growing more interested in ministering in the body of Christ. Maybe you have been in some specific ministry for a while, but would like to really make ministry the default mode of your life. Perhaps you just like reading.

Here are three books, just selected off the top of my head, as ones which have encouraged me over the past 4 years.

1. One-To-One Bible Reading by David Helm
1. Big Idea: Reading the Bible together is the best way that a believer can evangelize and disciple another.
2. Ideal Audience: Every Believer
2. The Trellis And The Vine: the Ministry mind-shift that Changes Everything by Colin Marshall and Tony Payne
1. Big Idea: No easy fix, silver bullet, or new program will fix a ministry. Ministry is accomplished and built not on programs but through people. Every believer is to be part of this spreading of the Gospel through disciple making.
2. Ideal Audience: Those who are involved in the local church
3. Brothers, We Are Not Professionals by John Piper
1. Big Idea: Pastors are not professionals. We are clay pots for the Master’s service.
2. Ideal Audience: Those pursuing or involved in pastoral ministry

What books would you add?