From time to time I have shared something about a book that I was reading at the time. Pastors are readers. The nature of the task to which God has called us demands that we be readers. But I didn't become a reader when I became a pastor. It has been a lifetime pursuit, and one that I hope you have acquired as well. You may not read as many books as others read, but I hope you find and read some good ones on a regular basis.
I read a variety of book themes and types, including biographies, history, historical novels, and stories of sporting events or athletes that provide some lighter reading for enjoyment. But of course, much of my time is spent with writings on subjects I'm drawn to because of a desire to grow in my walk with Christ and gain more knowledge in areas of the Christian life and leadership. Two from that subject area of my recent reading are worth sharing with you.
I've just finished Mark Batterson's latest book, The Circle Maker. Mark is the lead pastor of National Community Church in Washington, D. C. and author of several other best-selling books, all of which I would recommend. But The Circle Maker has been one of the most encouraging books on prayer that I've read. He is an engaging writer who is easy to read while communicating deep insights from the scripture with personal or firsthand illustrations that bring it all to life. Batterson is a master storyteller whom God has used in this book to convict me and make me hunger for a changed prayer life and deeper walk with God. I encourage you to move this to the top of your reading list as we join together to become a church that prays. I want to learn to, as Mark says, "pray circles around my (and our) biggest dreams and greatest fears." "God honors bold prayers and bold prayers honor God." I believe it. I know you do also. And I want to honor God with bold prayers.
The second book is one that I have just begun. Discipleshift is written by Jim Putman with help from Bobby Harrington and Robert E. Coleman. Putman is pastor of Real Life Ministries in Idaho, leading a thriving church that is built on the principle of discipleship. He has led this church on a very clear, simple path of sharing the gospel and making disciples who can, in turn, make disciples. The subtitle of the book is: Five Steps That Help Your Church to Make Disciples Who Make Disciples. This is not a book that is just another theory for church life. It is very practical, biblical, and it just makes sense. I've shared often with you in the past year or more how burdened I am over the need for discipleship. We have too often measured the success of a church by how many people come, how much money is given, and how many people join. These are all worth measuring, but they are only secondary measures. I have become absolutely convinced that the New Testament gives us a different standard and plan of action where success is measured by how many people are being loved and led to Christ; who are following Him; who are being transformed into the likeness of Christ and are pursuing His mission. We must measure how many are actually becoming disciples who can make disciples. And that will not happen through, even the best worship services, Bible studies and Bible Fellowship classes. Information transfer will not make disciples. It can only be done the way Jesus did it - in a smaller relational context of shared lives, commitment, accountability and growth that produces Christ-like men and women who can be disciple-makers also. If you would like to know more of where my heart is as a pastor, reading this book will help.
If you should decide to join me in reading one or both of these books, let me know. I would love to hear how God is using them in your life.
Pastor Rod
