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As a minister how do you keep up with the virtual flood of Christian books?
Here's one way--How to read a book in 10 minutes.
What tips would you add?
keith drury
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9 comments:
I would recommend glancing at the publishing company during Minute 1. Make note of it and see if a pattern emerges. You may find that you consistently appreciate books from a certain company. On the flip side, you may find other publishing companies that consistently pump out books that you are not interested in. This may help in the discernment process of knowing what to read in the future.
I couldn't help but think of
Ecclesiastes 12:12:
"of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh." :)
Some folks are still naive enough to imagine they can read all the books they want to get to "some day". They are still plowing through their list, even as the list grows 3x as fast on the other end :)
I've found that an author often repeats themselves in later books. Focus on undedrstanding the best or most popular book from one author, then the others will be much easier to speed through.
I suppose if you are a pastor the priority would also be the best seller list as that will cover a higher % of your congregations reading is they are mainstream.
Pretty much irrelevant at the church I attend. We have about 600 attendees and perhaps 50 are readers. The 50 readers are not the main focus of our pastor. Unfortunately, though, the Sunday morning messages are toned down to match the illiteracy. :( Pastor says in depth Bible study is to happen in the small groups. Then he says the small groups are for outreach. Then he says the small groups are to focus on relationships. Very confusing. We'll see how long it takes to sort things out. He's been at the church about a year and a half.
Years ago, while on a flight to England, our plane was forced to land in Scotland due to bad fog.
So technically, I could say, "I've been to Scotland;" when in fact, I never stepped off the plane.
Similarly, I could say, "I've read that book;" if I followed this advice, but I would be totally lacking the experience associated with reading.
Sorry, I can't buy in on this one.
Dennis Kinlaw said he spent time with A. W. Tozer-several hours in an automobile-and no, I can't prove this- and Tozer said to him, "Kinlaw, don't ever read a good book." In response to Dr. Kinlaw's quizzical expression, he added "You don't have time."
Then I heard Ravi Zacharias say if you can get one really good illustration from a book it is worth the trouble to read it. This, I think is where your speed reading tips could be invaluable.
I have found some good illustrations in otherwise rather forgettable books. In fact, this is one of the things that make Dr. Kinlaw so compelling to listen to; powerful illustrations, from all kinds of sources. So we speed read some interesting looking books, and savor the deep ones.
I read your remarks on this subject years ago and was accosted by an English Major who thought this consisted of an eggregious crime against literature. I still like the process. You can apply this partially with some works too - like "The Shack" I knew it had a tragedy up front, and it set the stage for the conversation at the end, and it was the conversation that I wanted to pay attention to.
DUKE, Yeah some folk ONLY read books worth a slow read. I'm in three reading groups this semester--and two of them are slow-taste-every-sentence reading groups (one Steinbeck--the only way I read him). But Steinbeck and Barth are like eating a steak--I want to savor every single bite.
However IMO many popular Christian books are like French fries--you can get all they have to offer in ten minutes or less. As PAUL says, some writers (like Barth) is like vising Scotland--requiring slow small bites, long pondering and many return visits. the ten minute read is for books that are not countries like Scotland--they are more like "4330 Washington street" I can get all it has to offer in 10 minutes. ;-)
Great practical tips here.
Speaking of Barth...the final is on Thursday ;-)
Keith, Thank you...
I think you have given me permission to lighten my reading load.
Sounds like Christian Pulp Fiction is big business. Might also be a misnomer ;)
Paying attention to your trusted friend's recommendations...cuts away at some of the pulp...better yet to save valuable time.
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