Leaders are readers

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Leaders are readers and I believe everybody knows that. In this post I want to continue to encourage you to read books. In my previous posts, I did share that reading books is not something we do at the expense of the Bible. 

Leaders are readers 

I assume that the main preoccupation of a spiritual leader is to study the Word of God and devote himself to prayer as much as possible. However, much neglect is given to supplementary reading. Nevertheless, if you want to grow spiritually and intellectually you need to read constantly other books beside the Bible.  

I know that in our days the practice of reading books is rare among believers. Almost everybody prefers to watch movies or do anything else but read a good book—unfortunately. Reading books will help you see what questions other people have about life, what struggles and answers they share with you and the people to whom you minister. Therefore, it is my strong belief that leaders are readers—but leaders read selectively.   

Leaders are readers—John Wesley

J. Oswald Sanders tells us that 

John Wesley had a passion for reading and most of it was done on horseback. He rode sometimes ninety and often fifty miles in a day. He read deeply on a wide range of subjects. It was his habit to ride with a volume of science or history or medicine propped on the pommel of his saddle, and in that way he got through thousands of volumes. After his Greek New Testament, three great books took complete possession of Wesley’s mind and heart during his Oxford days. It was about this time that he began the earnest study of the Imitation of Christ, Holy Living and Dying and The Serious Call.

Wesley is also famous for telling his ministers to either read books or get out of the ministry!

The books I want to recommend that proved to bless me in the past year are:

1.     Reading Romans after supersessionism by J. Brian Tucker

Dr. Tucker’s book is about Paul’s letter to the Romans. The author presents a “Paul-within-Judaism” who writes to the Roman gentile believers through the lens of 1 Cor 7:17-24. Moreover, Dr. Tucker shows us that Paul advocates that Jews and Gentiles should keep their ethnic identities. He presents Paul as being loyal to Torah observance—a contrasting view to supersessionists writers who see Paul annulling the continuation of Jewish ethnical identity.

I think this book will challenge your view of Paul and Romans and I consider it a must read for any Bible teacher. Leaders are readers! 

2.     Preaching in Hitler’s shadow by Dean G. Stroud

It is an amazing book to learn how the Pastors in Nazi Germany preached and what were their messages. It is interesting to read about people like Karl Barth, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Martin Niemoller or Paul Schneider. The book contains a list of sermons but it is so much more. 

I believe it is about Christian heroes who did not comply to the Nazi regime’s propaganda and preached the truth knowing that they might suffer persecution—and many of them were persecuted. In Europe we perhaps are close to experiencing similar challenges. 

Leaders are readers.

In the words of George Hunsinger

In this book we see what it is like to proclaim the gospel courageously in the midst of dire political circumstances. The idea that preaching must always avoid being political is exposed for the falsehood that it is. 

I would also like to recommend Antisemitism—a history by Albert S. Lindemann and Richard S. Levy. And my essay about the Romanian Christian Orthodox Church’s involvement in the Holocaust. 

3.     Leaders are readers so read The Oracle by Rabbi Jonathan Cahn

Rabbi Cahn’s book was a nice discovery. I saw it advertised on the Internet and I told myself that I never read one of his books. So, I was curious to buy it and I don’t regret.

I enjoy Rabbi Cahn’s insights into the history of Israel and all the connections he made between history and the Bible. Many things about modern day Israel got clearer in my mind. It is a good and easy-to-read book. Leaders are readers!

4.     Can you be gay and Christian? By Michael L. Brown 

This is a good book to read for any believers but especially for leaders. Dr. Brown provides many excellent insights into the gay movement in which many are caught. I like Dr. Brown’s pastoral heart in teaching the truth in love. And because of the times we live in I would say it is a must read even if you care little about the gay movement.  As I said before, leaders are readers.

Leaders are readers bonus:

Complete guide to money by Dave Ramsey.  

Thank God for this book. I am still reading it but so far I learned a lot from Dave Ramsey who is an expert in his field. If you want to put your financial life in order, reading this book can be an excellent start. 

Now what?

I don’t know what goals you have for this year. However, I want to encourage you make it your goal to spend a minimum of half an hour a day reading good books for your spiritual life; books that will challenge you to live a holier life or that will challenge your Bible knowledge. 

Leaders are readers. 

Do you agree?

Let me know if there is anything special going on in your life or if you want prayer! Share this post with your friends and don’t forget to leave a comment.  

If you plan on writing a book or if you know of someone who wants to write a book-check this link from Self Publishing School!  Leaders are reader!

And if you plan on starting a blog or know of someone who wants to do that—check this link from Elite Blog Academy.

Most importantly, do subscribe to my blog.

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