What do they read?

“Pastors of small congregations not only read fewer books than did pastors of larger churches, but also had more restricted categorical tastes.”

This is from the latest Barna update online. The worlds most fascinating statitician reveals the books and authors that have most influenced pastors. now as someone who believes that you are to a large extent the sum of your closest friends and the books you have read this makes VERY interesting reading.

It seems that discipleship books were the clear favorite of small church pastors, (under 100). The large and mid-sized church pastors liked specific leadership books. And while the bigger church leaders generally mentioned The Purpose Driven Life among their influential books… small-church pastors were only half as likely to include it.

Well lots of fascinating findings in this gem of information.

I love what Barna wraps up with: (Talking of younger pastors)

“They lean toward books and authors that extol adventure, shared experiences, visionary leadership, supernatural guidance and relational connections. If their choices in reading are any indication, they seem less obsessed with church size and more interested in encounters with the living God. They are also less prone to identifying the most popular books in favor of those that are known for their passionate tone. The fact that less than half as many young pastors considered the Purpose Driven books to be influential in their ministry suggests that the new legion of young pastors may be primed to introduce new ways of thinking about Christianity and church life.”

Praise God!

LESSON: Read widely… and lots.