I have said it before and I will say it again, “Readers are leaders.” Now, that isn’t the only characteristic of a great leader, but it is high on my list. A good leader is well informed and knowledgeable about what God wants to do and how He works in our world. We can turn on the television and see some of these things, but taking the time to thoughtfully work through a subject can shape our thinking in deeper ways. I know not all of us are readers, but for those that aren’t, audio books provide a great alternative. Simply put, it is important for us to be lifelong learners as God uses us to lead His people, whether they are children, students or adults.
For those who have not made reading a part of their everyday life, there is often confusion on where to start. Let me encourage you to focus on three areas as you seek to be intentional in your learning process:
• Read the Word. It should go without saying that those of us in vocational ministry need to be reading the Word on a regular basis, not simply for teaching and preaching, but for personal growth. There are times we get so caught up in the “doing” of ministry that we forget to invest in the source of truth we share. There are a lot of reading plans out there, so find one. We need to know God better if we hope to serve, teach and lead faithfully.
• Read about ministry. If you work with students, ask your youth pastor friends what they have read. If you serve as a teacher in your Sunday School, ask other teachers or your pastor for suggestions. We want to be serving well, and biblically-minded authors can give us some great things to consider. If you are looking for a starting place, check out Fulfill Your Student Ministry by Samuel Bierig. It is a great foundational book as you seek to establish your student ministry. You might also consider books about corporate worship, evangelism, preaching and lay counseling. Find an area you want to grow in and seek out a book in that area.
• Read about cultural trends and current events. Now, this can be a bit more challenging. Our world seems to be full of biased news sources that slant the truth one direction or another. Look for a trusted source and read magazines, newspapers and blog articles. Take the time to understand what is happening in our world and see how God might be moving.
Our church (Calvary Baptist Church of Fayetteville) emphasizes the need for us to be readers. Our Faithful Men and Faithful Women groups spend about eight months a year reading through a book a month and studying Scripture to help our people grow in their relationship with Christ. You don’t have to read a book a month to be a reader. You simply need to be intentional as you move forward. Read, learn and grow as you seek to minister to the people that are around you.
We would love to hear what you are reading. Join us at Facebook.com/Groups/StudentMinistryMattersCommunity to share or email me at info@StudentMinistryMatters.com.
