I’ve talked here before about my reading habits. I have historically read very widely, but last year I decided to start to focus my “personal” reading for the next 15 years.

I’ll still read broadly for work, projects, writing, and education.

But below are my personal lists… Theologians:

Augustine
Calvin
Bavinck
Kuyper
Vanhoozer

On a recent episode of @KnowingFaithPod I was asked about how I read effectively.

For context:

*I’m a father of two under 6.
*I sleep well and don’t dip into sleep to maximize productivity.
*I’m a planter/pastor.
*I produce and host two podcasts.

I don’t have *lots* of time… I read between 400-600 pages a week. And I work hard to retain insights gleaned from them. Here’s how:

I have reading categories. At any point: I’m reading one book in history, Bible/theology, philosophy, fiction, poetry, and “living.”

The “living” category is my junk drawer.

Hey preachers and pastors, I'd love to hear a bit about your process for sermon prep. I'm always tinkering with my system for prayer, meditation, research, and writing.

Anything you have learned, timeline/process you follow, or tools you use? My current system:

*I start studying for a sermon series, the semester before that series begins.

*I begin reading, researching, meditating on, and praying through the relevant scripture about six months prior to the start of preaching.

Every week I get an email from a different seminary student that aspires to vocational ministry.

The question in some form or another: How do I bridge from seminary to vocational work in a church?

Here is what I say... 1.) Are you currently meaningfully involved in a church? If not, do that for a few years and decide whether you still want to work in the church.