An Inkling
On the top of my office book
shelves are the “books to be read” – about forty of them, more than three
years’ worth at my slow pace. As I
survey the shelf, I see that they include several that people have given to me
– either in their excitement, or hoping that I will do some particular remedial
work. Either motive is fine with me.
Here’s how I came to have the
others:
- Some I got to prepare for preaching or teaching a certain series. For example, I have been reading books focused on the intersection of Christ and culture for about ten years.
- Some are by authors who have been my main mentors. I read almost everything they publish. In years past that was C.S. Lewis, John Wimber, Tom Smail, Richard Foster, Dallas Willard, and Eugene Peterson. More recently I’ve focused on Tim Keller, Ross Douthat, and James K. A. Smith. Some of their writings are pastor specific, but most are not, and I highly recommend them all.
- Some of my “books to read” are remedial. For example, in recent years I have been trying to fill in gaps in my art history – lots of big gaps!
- Some are sample books of a rising star. People ask me if I’ve read the latest popular author’s book, and usually I haven’t. But when I find that he/she is shaping the church I serve in a significant way, I make it my business to see what it’s about. Sometimes the excitement is warranted, and I gain a new favorite.
- Some are relaxation reading, usually biographies and history.
- Some are about the Holy Spirit. This remains my favorite focus for theological reading, and I always have one or two in the queue.
That’s my “books to read”
plan. How about yours? What grabs your heart? What’s worth your time? If you continue with your current plan, what
will be its effect upon you over the next decade? If you would like a different result, how,
then, would you shape your reading now?
Blessings,
Keith
