“I just don’t have time to read widely,” says the modern pastor. Between preparing multiple sermons, planning outreaches, discipling believers, and so many other worthy activities that crowd his schedule, the pastor has little free time for outside reading. But if he made time, how would reading widely benefit him and his service in the church?
1. Develop a Better Understanding of Past and Present
A pastor can easily find himself trapped in his own head. His world can narrow to his sermon preparations, his church activities, and his family. Even worse, he can live mostly in the world of theology, fighting battles long dead and disconnected from the present age.
Reading widely can broaden a pastor’s perspective. It can awaken him to see patterns and trends that repeat in modern times. Reading widely can provide insight into the philosophies and fads that are influencing those whom God has called him to serve. This will allow him to better tailor his sermons to answer the questions and dilemmas of the current age. The truths exposited from God’s Word never change, but how to bring them to bear in a sermon or disipling relationship can and should vary based on those listening.
2. Gain Borrowed Experience So Every Crisis Does Not Seem New
Crises come. No ministry is immune. In our limited experience, we can feel that no one has faced what we are facing, but that would be a lie.
Reading widely can help a pastor discern these kinds of deception more quickly. Biographies—both modern and dated—can help us better understand human nature and glean from the experience of those who have gone before us. Topical non-fiction works can provide perspective from those who have tread through similar waters. We don’t need to reinvent the wheel. Reading widely can introduce us to many different wheels—how others have applied the timeless truths from God’s Word—that may parallel our particular situation.
3. Create More Connection Points with the Congregation
Reading widely can help a pastor relate to his congregation. Obviously, our fellowship as believers centers on our relationship with God through Jesus Christ. We obey the same Great Commission and Great Commandment. We spur one another on to the same goal of Christlikeness. Ephesians 4:4–6 reminds us that we share “one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; [and] one God and Father of all.” This spiritual foundation forms the basis of our relationship with one another.
Beyond this, however, the pastor may struggle to connect with those God has called Him to serve. Interests and experiences vary widely. How can a pastor better understand the congregation? First, he must get to know them by spending time with them. Second, he should find out what interests them—their jobs or their hobbies. A pastor need not be an expert in everything (and he shouldn’t try), but he should know enough to converse on many subjects so that he can better understand those he serves. Reading widely can help to bridge this gap.
4. Explore New Sources of Illustrations for Sermons
Once a pastor has been preaching for a while, his well of illustrations tends to dry up. An itinerant preacher can repeat the same powerful stories to new audiences as he travels. However, a pastor does not have this luxury. He either repeats his illustrations (yes, the congregation will notice), leans heavily on the personal experiences of his family (that comes with its own pitfalls), borrows from other preachers he hears (should we say plagiarism?), or just skips illustrations altogether (boring!). Yet, illustrations are an effective connection point between truth and life. Without illustrations, truth can seem flat, and sermons devolve into dry lectures.
Reading widely opens doors to new avenues for illustrations. History, science, biography, and even fiction can provide relevant anecdotes that engage the listeners’ attention and help them remember the truths from the Scripture passage of the sermon. In my most recent sermon, I used illustrations from my own reading—one from fiction, C. S. Lewis’ The Horse and His Boy, and another from missionary biography, Samuel Zwemer’s Raymond Lull.[1] After the worship service, these illustrations sparked multiple conversations with listeners about major truths from the sermon text.
Why Not Start Reading Widely?
Reading widely would benefit every pastor. While we must be careful not to let our extracurricular reading displace the primacy of God’s Word, every pastor should set aside time to broaden his horizons by expanding his reading repertoire.[2] Those who teach must always be learning. Those who lead must always be stepping forward. We will be limited in our ability to help others to grow if we are not growing ourselves. Stagnancy helps no one.
What is the next book you will read?[3]
[1] My two missions devotionals provide thirty-one possible sermon illustrations each as they highlight snapshots from the lives of missionaries of the past. Both Daring Devotion and Daring Dependence also point the reader to other excellent missionary biographies which would be a great starting point for wider reading. Find out more are www.mrconrad.net.
[2] Micah Colbert’s recent article, “A Disturbing Trend,” makes an excellent case for the primacy of the Word of God in our reading.
[3] If you need the beginnings of a reading plan or suggestions of where to start, check out my recent article, “On Reading Widely: Are You Stuck on One Shelf?”
