I love books. I love stories. It was a love that started when I was a child. The day I got my library card was one of my favorite childhood memories. However, I know reading isn’t natural or a favored activity for everyone. Today I want to talk about the benefits reading can have on you as a leader and your team.
Reading Gives Perspective
There are various types of genres that exist in the world. Just because you are a minister or campus minister doesn’t mean you have to only stick with the Christian authors. In fact, when we read the news, biographies, history books, and poetry from various backgrounds and belief systems, we are expanding our minds to see the world differently than we do. Reading lends us the ability to see through the eyes of another. The result is humbling and usually quite fascinating.
Reading Expands Knowledge
Because I grew up a reader, if I wanted to know anything about anything I would find a good book about it. There are so many books in the world on just about any topic you might be interested in. As a campus minister, I have loved reading books that help grow specific skills. For my ability to communicate effectively I read Communicating for a Change by Andy Stanley and for discipleship, Multiply by Francis Chan. I love these books because I learned things I never knew before by seeking it out. In the same way, I encourage you to seek out books in the areas you want to grow in.
Reading Keeps Us Sharp
In almost any field, there are regular trainings to inform the professionals of new trends, update them on best practices and notify them of any changes in data. It is no different for a minister. Working on a campus makes this all the more important. I personally love reading articles about the trends in millennials, the changing college landscape, and surveys on what college students are feeling and experiencing right now. By staying up to date, I am making sure I can speak to topics that are relevant and important to my students.
Reading is Good for Community
Most people think that reading is quite an introverted activity but I believe reading actually is very good for community. Besides the obvious book study, in which people can gather around a book and dialogue about it together, (which is really very wonderful for small groups) books also enable us to connect with more people. I can not tell you how many times I have been talking to someone and our conversation reminded me of a story from a book or a statistic from an article. Being able to share what I’ve read usually sparks discussion, opens the door to relationship, and sometimes offers wisdom I didn’t have on my own.
Reading Inspires Creativity
Reading for the most part requires us to think. When we are processing what we read, we most often try to take the new information we are receiving and make it mesh with what we already know. It is in this place of figuring and considering that beautiful ideas are born. I challenge you to take time to really reflect the next time you read. Ask yourself questions like:
-How does this book make me feel?
-What am I learning from this?
-What is a practical take-away from this? How can I make these ideas my own?
-How can I use this information to change something in my own life? The life of others?
I hope you are inspired today to pick up a good book. Harry S. Truman once said, “Not all readers are leaders, but all leaders are readers.” I think he was on to something. We have the privilege of gleaning wisdom, encouragement, and direction from the coolest book around town, the Bible. If you are serious about growing as a person and as a leader, make time to read! If you want a place to get started, check out the book list at the back of the resource guide on thebasicsite.org!