First, my intent is to read 30 minutes a day in a book unrelated to my current sermon preparation. This is the second thing I do each morning before sermon preparation and other pastoral leadership duties. Now the operative words is “intent.” My intention to read 30 minutes a day is close to being a regular practice. But some days, pressing demands squeeze it out of my schedule. Even so, I’m amazed at how many books get read – and read reflectively – by devoting a half hour each day to reading. What I find is that by the end of 30 minutes, I’m ready to take a break and reflect on what I’ve read.

A couple keys books I’m currently reading include The Dangerous Act of Worship by Mark Labbertson and The Mission of God by Christopher J. H. Wright. Even though these books are not related to my sermon current preparation, the material in them enriches and inspires my preaching.

I also try to carve out time to read in the evening at home. There, I tend to read biographies, novels, history, or books related to current issues. I just finished Tough Choices by Carly Fiorina, former CEO of Hewlett-Packard. This kind of reading keeps me in touch with the culture in which I serve, and it provides illustrations.

Another practice is to take a book to lunch. I often do this on days when I do not have a lunch appointments. It makes lunch more enjoyable, and I end up maximizing the time. A friend of mine does something similar, but he schedule time to read at a local coffee shop.

I’ve learned not to let the reality that there are so many books to read discourage me from reading any books. Carve out 30 minutes a day, as well as a few evenings and an occasional lunch. You’ll be a better preacher for it, assuming, of course, that your main devotion is to The Book.