If you’re like me, when you sat down to write your goals for the new year, reading was somewhere on your list. Whether you decided to read more books or to read certain books, you probably acknowledged the importance of reading. Several years ago, I gave our church some guidelines for Christian reading. I pray these tips will be a blessing to you as you seek to grow as a Christian by gleaning truths from the written word.

1. Read the Bible first and most.
Someone once said, “A Bible in the hand is worth two in the bookcase.” God’s Word changes lives. Before turning to other books for advice, comfort, or instruction, go to God’s Word! Read it first and be sure to read it more than any other book.

2. Realize most published authors are not fundamental in doctrine.
It is important to acknowledge that not every book in your local Christian bookstore is doctrinally sound. In these last days, the devil will try to deceive Christians with books that are not fundamental in doctrine. Ask God for discernment!

3. Consider the author’s doctrine and life.
Before reading a book, it would be wise to consider the doctrine and testimony of the author. Does his lifestyle reflect Biblical principles? Does he write or post anything contrary to the doctrine of the Scriptures?

4. Does the author have an ax to grind with old-fashioned standards?
If an author ridicules, mocks, or belittles old-fashioned standards, his books will probably not help you on your Christian journey. In fact, they may discourage, confuse, and frustrate you over time. Avoid this type of literature and seek encouraging and edifying books instead.

5. Who recommended the book?
Is the book you are considering coming from the recommendation of a godly pastor or mentor? Or is it coming from a disgruntled or bitter Christian? The first recommendation is generally safer than the second, and it would be wise to consider the origin of the recommendation.

6. Read biographies of great Christians.
Few books stir my soul and fuel my faith like biographies of great Christians in times gone by. Seek to learn from the mistakes and successes of great men and women of God, and strive to emulate their godly character and passion for the things of God.

7. Just because it is in print, does not mean it is true.
Ask a person who has been misquoted or falsely represented in a newspaper, and they will testify to the veracity of this statement! Just because a position, argument, or thought is stated confidently, distributed widely, or even accepted eagerly does not mean it is correct or true. Ask God for wisdom to know the difference between falsity and truth.

8. Be cautious with fiction.
Fiction often causes people to escape to worlds of fantasy, eventually hurting their marriage or polluting their minds. Time spent reading fiction is often simply that—it’s spent, not invested. If you do read fiction, make sure it promotes godly principles and lifestyles.

9. The Holy Spirit will guide you into truth and away from error.
What a wonderful promise we are given in the Bible: that God’s Holy Spirit will guide us into all truth and away from error. Claim that promise as you read, continually asking the Holy Spirit to help you discern the difference between truth and deceit. He will guide you if you let Him!

10. Read the Bible!
Amy Carmichael well said, “Never let good books take the place of the Bible. Drink from the Well, not from the streams that flow from the Well.” As stated earlier, we must go to the Living Word and drink from the truths found therein, for only God’s Word can quench and satisfy the desires of your soul.

Every summer, I strive to read as many books as possible. It is imperative to constantly be growing and developing in a spiritual walk with Christ, and I believe godly books can certainly help in that endeavor. It is a personal goal of mine to glean from good books in the summer months, and I encourage our staff and church members to do the same. I recently took to time to compile a list of recommended reading material. While we cannot endorse every word or concept in the books on this list, they have been generally helpful in my life and ministry. Many of these books can be purchased a www.lancasterbaptist.org/bookstore.

by R. Kent Hughes
published by Crossway Publishing

The existence and influence of the seeker-sensitive movement upon the American church is now no secret. For some twenty years, church growth experts have called upon pastors to amend and change the traditional worship styles and preaching dynamic, in order to “relate better to people.”

In my book The Saviour Sensitive Church I outline many of the weaknesses of the seeker-sensitive movement. One evidence of the failure of this movement is the fact that a lower percentage of people attend church in America today than ever. Those who do attend church are often unable to distinguish biblical principles, much less apply them to their lives.

It is always interesting to me when an author writes a book speaking to the issue of the lack of separation in the contemporary church. But I am specifically interested when the author primarily fellowships with those who are involved in the contemporary church movement.

The book written by Oz Guinness entitled Prophetic Untimeliness was unique in that it was a call from within, challenging the “evangelicals” to return to the fire and seperatistic stand of the reformation.

The book Set Apart by R. Kent Hughes is similar in its philosophy. In fact, Hughes says in the introduction of the book, “The contemporary evangelical church is not lacking for moral and spiritual instruction. It is lacking in his ability to remain uncontaminated by the unchristian thinking and morality of contemporary culture.” Hughes, then, begins to show how the contemporary church has been influenced by the philosophies of today’s society. Those philosophies include materialism, hedonism, viewing sensuality, pluralism, and even modesty!

In a sense, it was refreshing for me, as an independent fundamental Baptist, to hear someone from without our circle speaking against the influence of companies such as Victoria’s Secret or Abercrombie and Fitch on our nation and upon Christians today.

I highly recommend Set Apart as a book that will help pastors, parents, and educators identify some of the leading challenges against the church. In addition, the author gives good scriptural reference for combating the onslaught of wickedness in the day in which we live.

Over the last several months I have spent a good amount of time in the evening and early morning hours working on my new book entitled The Spiritual Leader.

The Spiritual Leader is a guidebook for pastors and Christian leaders as they lead God’s people. There are six sections to this book:

The Spiritual Leader’s Heart
The Spiritual Leader’s Ministry
The Spiritual Leader’s Pulpit
The Spiritual Leader’s Team
The Spiritual Leader’s Trials
The Spiritual Leader’s Triumphs

In many ways, this book is the culmination of the principles God has taught me through His Word, through years of reading, and through years of leading. It is my earnest prayer that God will use this book to be of help in the lives of the leaders here at Lancaster Baptist Church, West Coast Baptist College and, should He allow, throughout our country.

Here are a few chapter titles to show you the direction of the book:

The Spirit-filled Leader
The Servant Leader
The Spiritual Leader’s Friends
The Spiritual Leader’s Priorities
The Overseeing Leader
The Administrative Leader
Leading Through Different Stages of Growth
Overcoming Barriers in Ministry
Leading a Biblical Church Service
The Spiritual Leader’s Music Ministry
The Spiritual Leader and His Wife
The Spiritual Leader and His Children
The Spiritual Leader’s Staff
The Spiritual Leader’s Motivator
Leading Through Crises
Leading by Intervening
And many more…

Spiritual leadership is a life-long journey and all of us, to some extent, have the privilege of leading and influencing others for good and for God. We will formally introduce the book at this year’s Spiritual Leadership Conference and we are taking early orders through our website at www.strivingtogether.com.

Please pray that God will bless this book and that it will be used to encourage others for His glory!

by Todd Hopkins and Ray Hilbert
published by Thomas Nelson Publishing

I think it would be safe to say that I receive an average of three books a week from people across the country. Many of these are given to me by friends and others I receive from people whom I have never met. Obviously, I am not able to read all of them immediately upon receipt. The Janitor was one of those books that sat on my shelf for a while. Recently, however, I picked it up and found it to be a tremendous blessing to me.

The title is somewhat deceiving, as one might think he will be reading a book dealing with tips for building maintenance. Quite to the contrary, the authors use a story line showing how a janitor of a large corporation is able to help the CEO determine what matters most in life.

The janitor shares several life-changing principles with the CEO and helps him find proper alignment regarding his values concerning family, the joy of life, and the importance of mentoring others. If you, like me, are busy in the ministry of our Lord, you will understand that sometimes it is easy to get out of balance and forget what matters most. If you are looking for a quick read that will touch your heart and help you re-align, I recommend The Janitor.

This book was recommended to me by my friend Clay Reed, and I appreciate the recommendation. I hope you enjoy it too!