Saturday, July 19, 2014 at 10:14AM 
A Life Changing ExperienceFellow worship leaders.. about 7 years ago I made a trip to Canada to gather with other worship leaders and pastors in a small retreat center in NB Canada. It was one of the first 2 week intensives put on through St. Stephen's University and hosted by Dan Wilt. I had been resourcing, mentoring and training leaders in local and national contexts for years but that weekend changed my life. It was an experience that profoundly impacted my journey and continues to do so.
One small thing prepared me for the 2 week experience- reading. I know. It sounds so "academic" and "laborsome". Frankly, that is how I found it too. But I came away with a deep appreciation, founded in that experience that I had really learned about learning.
What I learned was this- real learning takes work. Real truth is not always simple. And life lessons are not always summated in 140 character blurbs. Some of the truths that may change your life, save your marriage, stop your habitual sinning, shape your thinking and awaken your passion can only be articulated in full length, well thought books.
You see, prior to going on that trip, we were told to read 3 or 4 books. I don't think I had ever had an assignment to read that many books for one course. Not in high school. Not in college. Not at work. Not ever. And frankly the impact of those books didn't sink into me until those 2 weeks brought the conversation, community, care and challenge of their topics into full bloom. I had found a new love- reading. Not the act of reading- but the joy of discovering great truths through reading.
I have dozens of close friends that are worship leaders, and probably know hundreds more worship leaders personally. As I talk with worship leaders, young and old, I found that I was not alone. Most people don't read, or they don't read much. Or they only read on niche topics.
In reading articles from the Wall Street Journal (article), NY Times (article), and Washington Post/CBS (article) about American averages in reading, most of them put reading between 9-17 books per year. I would be shocked to find very many worship leaders reading a complete book per month.
But with the recent experience at the intensive having awakened a real joy in reading in me, I began to pursue it on a regular basis. In fact, that reading led me to eventually re-engage with formal study and pursue a masters program in ministry. Even after completing a masters degree, the joy of reading has kept me reading regularly. For me in particular, I have focused in reading and learning more on the topics of theology, worship, history, ancient civilizations and economics. My awakening to reading changed my life and continues to do so.
Can I make a suggestion to you- read one (1) great book every three months.
Don't waste your time on poorly written, fluff, either. Read something great. As a worship leader, husband, father, and follower of Jesus, I really do think this is something so many of us would benefit from. I know it changed my life.
I realize that one great book every three months doesn't sound like much. But I emphasize- one great book. Continue to read books that pique your interest in topics that enliven you. But in the midst of that, take on reading one great book, a classic or a ground breaking page-turner.
If it helps, I've attached a list of my own personal "Top 10 Books of all Time" to get you started on books to consider. But, if my list doesn't sound profound, please find someone you respect and ask them their top books.
As worship leaders, I think it will help shape and challenge not only our topic of choice here (worship), but the contour of our lives and relationships.
Kim's Top 10 Books of All Time
Reading and worshiping with you!
Kim Gentes
books, education, learning, reading, reviews, worship leader in Bible, History, Leadership, Learning, Spiritual Disciplines, Theology, Training, Worship Leaders
Reader Comments (3)
I'm a pretty avid reader (think 3-5 books a week), and I have been since I was five years old. The thing that trips me up about that is that I have found my time consumed by books that DON'T MATTER in the grand scheme of things, primarily because my favorite reading material is sci-fi/fantasy with mystery/thriller/action books a close second. Those things are just stories about fictional characters, and it's just another kind of addiction/method of escapism. I know this. I have known this for years and years.
I do read non-fictional books as well, although not as many. 98% of those are Christian in nature. When I do read those, I find God speaking to me in a lot of different ways... but even those have not helped me as much as the people recommending those books thought that they would, or that I thought they would (help me, that is).
What I have found, though, is that reading the scripture gives me an almost tangible sense that God is breathing new life into me. Even if it's something I've read repeatedly hundreds of times in my life time (Psalm 23 for example). When I'm desperate for a touch from the Lord, I don't pick up a book that some really anointed (no sarcasm at all here!) spiritual leader has written. I do go back to the basics and reread the book of Genesis, or Isaiah, or various Psalms, or the gospels, or some of Paul's letters, or even Revelation (especially when I need hope).
I realize the value in reading, and it is a sorely neglected skill. DO read. Do read recommended books. Maybe something that spoke to the person making the recommendation will speak to you. But first and foremost, READ THE BIBLE. It was my favorite storybook when I was a child, and that's exactly how I think people forget to read it. We're always looking for something from God in a verse that we want to speak to us, relevant to our situation. We're usually studying it to dig out deeper meanings or to find support for things we feel God has put on our hearts.
How often, though, do we just sit down and simply read HIS story? It's the story of His glory... how often He showed up and moved or spoke or breathed into a situation and changed that situation by simply being there. If you can just take it in, over and over again, then without even intending to do so by human effort, you will find yourself hiding His word in your heart.
Today was one of those days when I woke up flat on my back and couldn't get up. I couldn't do anything but lay there and cry for a few hours. But when I talked to the Lord, the scriptures whispered back to me. When I said, "I can't handle this, Lord," He said, "My grace is sufficient." When I thought of how dark my life looks right now, Psalm 23 wandered through my heart: "Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me. Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me." When I just wanted to scream that despair was overwhelming me, I heard, "Faith is the substance of things hoped for..." Even now, I keep hearing, "The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear? Of whom shall I be afraid?"
Reading matters. Reading the Word matters even more--not just to obtain something for a sermon or a song, not just to find an answer for an argument against Christianity, not just to find something that speaks to us when we're looking for answers, but just because IT'S GOD'S WORD. When we know it well, He DOES use it to speak back to us when we need it, and He can use it to speak through us for someone else's benefit in song, sermon, or just daily conversation.
Hope this has been helpful for someone.
Excellent points and a wonderfully deep reflection, Cara. Thank you so much for sharing.
many blessings
Kim
I didn't realize how important reading was until I got to college. And by that time, it seemed too late for me (it's never too late). I just graduated from that college and I can probably count on one hand the number of books I read cover to cover. That still sickens me a bit. And it still convicts me when I think of the words of a close friend, "I don't trust anyone who doesn't carry a book." One of my goals this summer was to read 3 books. I finished one. I am close to finishing the second. I am pursuing two other books as well as a comprehensive study over a book of the Bible. School is out but the learning never stops.