Musings of a Church Planter - Lesson Two

Harry Truman - "Not every reader is a leader, but every leader is a reader."

I have never met a leader who doesn't spend time with books and magazines trying to find new innovations or new product ideas or new leadership developments or just reading for pleasure.  Reading is the way everyone levels the playing field.  Information is out there in so many venues from actual books to virtual libraries and from public libraries to cellphones.  Reading is still the most fundamental way a leader masters the topics of his or her desire.

I have read that a person can become an expert about any topic when they read five to ten books on that subject.  Whether true or not, I know everything I have learned has come from reading.  So the lesson for today is simple: Read and then read some more!

If you are reading this blog, then you are stepping in the right direction...😂

Seriously, reading does your soul good.  Reading has been linked to good mental health as well as mental development (Look at this article).  John Quincy Adams spent two hours a day reading the Bible, reading news articles and books, and then writing about what he read.  Talk about dedication to reading!

I am not suggesting you spend two hours a day reading but I am saying that reading will open doors that seemed closed.  For pastors, reading opens your vocabulary and expands your illustration file (your congregation will appreciate it).  For business leaders, reading helps you stay focused and prepared for new opportunities and for unexpected events.  For civic leaders, your reading will propel your ability to communicate with your peers and with the people you serve.  I could go on and on.

Reading impales your inabilities and replaces them with knowledge that impacts the people you lead.  Every new idea begins with knowledge.  Every breakthrough starts with understanding.  Every leader emerges from leadership barriers by being attentive to their own cognitive development.

When face-to-face with the devil's temptation, Jesus replied with three simple words, "It is written..."

So read.  You will never regret it.

Warren Buffett (on the key to success) - “Read 500 pages…every day. That’s how knowledge works. It builds up, like compound interest. All of you can do it, but I guarantee not many of you will do it.”