Pastors - What do you want your church members to read?

jacobcandler1689

jacobcandler1689

Puritan Board Freshman
Hello, this question is specifically for pastors/elders (though responses from others are welcome). What is a book you would like for all of your church members to read?
 
Not a Pastor, but was looking at some stats the other day, and it said something along the lines that only 30% or so of American Christians have ever, or will ever read their Bible cover to cover. And 82% of American Christians only read their Bibles on Sunday. May be a good place to start? Not on topic, but this is why I appreciated Calvary Chapel so much when I used to attend there. Because they preached the entire Bible cover to cover, chap. by chap., verse by verse. And according to these stats, that will be the only way most Christians, will ever hear their entire Bibles. Havent seen much of that style in the Reformed world, but not saying it doesnt exist.

http://poncefoundation.com/christians-dont-read-their-bible/
 
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davejonescue said:
Not a Pastor, but was looking at some stats the other day, and it said something along the lines that only 30% or so of American Christians have ever, or will ever read their Bible cover to cover. And 82% of American Christians only read their Bibles on Sunday. May be a good place to start? Not on topic, but this is why I appreciated Calvary Chapel so much when I used to attend there. Because they preached the entire Bible cover to cover, chap. by chap., verse by verse. And according to these stats, that will be the only way most Christians, will ever hear their entire Bibles. Havent seen much of that style in the Reformed world, but not saying it doesnt exist.

http://poncefoundation.com/christians-dont-read-their-bible/
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Sadly I am not surprised by that stat.
 
I would guess reading a book period, especially the Bible, would be on most pastors’ minds today.
 
It seems like every time I mention a book, I have people either tell me they have read it or plan to. Light stuff like Owen or Calvin.
 
iainduguid said:
The Letters of John Newton. So much profound wisdom.
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Newton (and especially his letters) is one of those authors that I tell myself - you always need to be reading something by him. Another like that for me is Octavius Winslow.

In response to the original post - Thomas Boston's Crook in the Lot. That is one that I read over and over.
 
The obvious first choices are Scripture and then the Westminster Standards. After that I would want folks to read something to encourage experiential piety - Holiness by Ryle or The Practice of Piety by Bayly, perhaps. Heaven Taken by Storm by Watson is another good one. For a saint who is more well-read, I'd encourage a dive into Calvin's Institutes.
 
I still have my training wheels on, but I'd really like it if people were doing some sort of Bible reading on their own and with their families. After that, as several have said so far, I'd like to see people going through the Westminster Standards or the Three Forms of Unity (given that I'm serving at a Reformed church).

Outside of these things, I'd just like for people to read edifying and solid works by whomever they want.
 
Just to add to what has already been said - Pilgrim's Progress. This is my go-to particular for younger Christians, so that they have a sense of what the Christian life is like.
 
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