Volunteer Recruiting

Volunteer recruiting tricks, tips, and techniques

Volunteer Management

Tips on managing volunteers and volunteer-based projects.

Staff/Volunteer Leadership

Improve your leadership of volunteers for your cause

Field Notes

Guest posts and ideas from leaders in the trenches

In The News

The latest news articles related to volunteering

Home » Church Leadership, Featured

Leading by Reading

Submitted by James Higginbotham on March 25, 2009 – 5:08 am2 Comments

I had a friend tell me recently that they don’t read anything but the Bible. They may read an occasional book for their job, but otherwise they stick to the Word. I read around 30-50 books books in a year, mostly non-fiction. I also listen to another 10-20 books in audio form, plus listen to various podcasts. So, my friend’s statement really made me start to think about how I’m using my time.

At first, I thought this was a good idea. Perhaps I should set down my library of books and get back to the Bible full time. There is so much in the Bible to read, learn, and apply. While I study my Bible daily, I can’t say that I am anywhere near where I should be.

God uses each of us in a different way. My friend is people-driven. His job and his ministries put him in front of people quite often. God uses these people to challenge him, enrich him, and teach him.

But after I spent a little more time thinking on it, I realized that for me, I’m book driven. God uses these books to teach me lessons. He encourages me to read, listen, and understand what others have done. He then challenges me to put these things to the test of His Word. Over time, I realize that some things that God had me do were derived from a book I read.

I’m currently re-reading a book from about a year ago, and I have realized that God has used that book to take me down the journey I’ve experienced over the last year. This isn’t a matter of applying the techniques in the book. In fact, I’ve deviated considerably and my outcome is different. But God uses books with me as he uses people for my friend.

The core lesson: God can use any mechanism to teach us, but there is probably one or two core ways He teaches us consistently. Find out what those are, embrace them, and seek God’s teaching through them.

How is God teaching you?

Popularity: 1% [?]

2 Comments »

  • Larry Baxter says:

    James – thanks for this post, it’s an encouragement. I’ve recently gone through the same doubt. While I do need to spend a greater fraction of my time directly with scripture, I’m also definitely wired to learn, grow and even worship through book reading. One I’m currently reading is Spiritual Pathways by Gary Thomas, which talks about the very different ways we respond to God, whether as a naturalist, intellectual, ascetic, etc. Another that’s challenging me *big* time is “Present Future” by Reggie McNeal.

    So what is the book you’re re-reading?! ;)

  • Larry, I’m re-reading a business book called the 4 Hour Work Week. What I found was that after reading it the first time, God has guided me to adopt some of the habits from this book but for a different purpose: managing a volunteer scheduling application that I’ve been working on for some time.

    I, too, have been challenged recently to spend more time in the Word, though, so I’m adjusting my reading schedule more. A morning Bible Study just isn’t enough of the Word at times :)

    Thanks for your comment!