The Pastoral Reading List (2008-2009)

I know the title of this post can be somewhat misleading. So, let me clarify.

Part of my (or just about any pastor's) job is reading. Some read the newest stuff. Some stick to the classics. But you cannot avoid reading in ministry. So, I incorporate it into my normal workday. But, I have a method to it. I pick 12 subjects that I want to read about in the coming year. Then,I assign each month a topic. I read my books (plus magazine and journal articles) on that topic for the whole month. It may not work for everybody, but it does the job for me.

Here's this year's list. By the way, the year, for me starts in September. That's when I started this last year. Enjoy!

SEP: Pastoral Ministry
OCT: Reformation History
NOV: Preaching
DEC: Christian Literature Classics
JAN: Old Testament
FEB: Other Religions
MAR: The Gospel of John
APR: Christianity and Pop Culture
MAY: Christology
JUN: The Sacraments
JUL: Youth Ministry
AUG: Worship

Like I said, this system doesn't work for me. I also read every night before I go to bed. The rule there is anything is up for grabs, except it cannot be theological. That rule is in place to protect my personal time. Some might have an issue with that. But that's just me.

The Poets List

To be honest, the idea for this list came to me in the shower yesterday morning. I don't know why I was thinking about poetry and poets at that time, but, apparently I was.

As many of you dear readers know,I was an English major in college. I loved literature (and still do). I always tell people that English is the best thing to major in. Why? because when you tell people that you major in English, a good many of them will think you are a sensitive poet. A smaller faction will assume you are lonely and angst-ridden. I was not, but I knew people who were.

I even fancied myself a poet and tried my hand at it. I published a chapbook. It was a book of haiku. Maybe I'll put some of those poems on the blog. The book was called "Haiku Fuel".

Anyway, here's a list of my fave writers of poetry. As with all my lists, they writers are listed in no particular order. Enjoy!

1. Langston Hughes
2. Adrienne Rich
3. Anne Sexton
4. Denise Levertov
5. James Wright
6. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
7. Jim McWilliams
8. Anne Bradstreet
9. e.e. cummings
10. Kevin Coval

I've actually met 2 of the poets on this list. Jim McWilliams, at last check lives in Columbia, MO. He and I met when we both worked for Vitamin World back in the late 90's. He inspired me to put my chapbook together and even helped me publish it. I lost track of him, but I'll always be grateful for his friendship, inspiration, and help.