reading | Pro Preacher

Last week, I was horrified when I heard that Google has officially announced that it will be shutting down Google Reader on June 1, 2013.

If you have been reading this blog for a while, you probably know already that I am a huge fan of Google Reader. I have written about it here, here and here.

I use Google Reader every day to scan hundreds of my favorite blogs and websites. It helps me learn for free from the greatest minds in the church and business world. I also love how easy it makes finding good articles about preaching to share with all of you on Twitter and Facebook. Google Reader has been my morning ritual for years.

I am really going to miss it. But after a brief panic attack, I got to work looking for the best alternative I could find to replace it.

Thankfully there are some good alternatives out there. The Google Reader alternative that I have settled on Feedly.

Photo Credit: Graham Smith cc

Feedly has clearly outlined its intention to continue on in a post Google Reader world. It seems to be the most popular choice among others I follow. And it is free. Who doesn’t like free?

By simply logging in to your Google account, they will automatically transfer over all of your Google Reader info. Continue Reading…

The Absolute Best Books on Preaching

February 1, 2013 — 9 Comments

If you want to improve your preaching, there is no better way to start by reading every good preaching book you can get your hands on.

Yes, you need a lot of practice. You have to get out there and learn from both good and bad experiences. But beginning with a healthy foundation is critical to fast-tracking your success.

Photo Credit: Chris cc

Solidify your theology of preaching by learning from the many great preachers who have gone before you. Leaders are readers. Devour as many good preaching books as you can.

To help, I have compiled a list of my favorite books on preaching.

In Personal Growth, Preaching books, improve your preaching, list, preaching, reading

You Don’t Have Time Not to Read

January 31, 2013 — Leave a comment

Readers are leaders. Leaders are learners. You have probably heard that phrase before.

As a leader you should never be done growing, learning and improving. You need to develop an insatiable appetite for life-long learning. And today, with the internet and the vast amount of books that are only a click away, we have no excuse not to be well read.

Sadly, I cannot tell you how many pastors I have met who admitted to me that they hate reading!

They never do it. They think it is boring. They say they don’t have time. But really, they would rather play video games, watch movies, surf the internet, or do some other mindless activity.

A successful pastor of a large church I used to work for once told me his philosophy on reading. He said, “You should read at least one hour every day. If not, that is a day you have completely wasted.”

He the went on to explain why, “It takes an author 2-5 years of their life to learn the lessons they write in a book. Every book you read is 2-5 years of life-experience you get to learn from.”

If you think you don’t have time to read, think about this:

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Archives For reading

Google Reader Alternatives: Surviving the Death of Google Reader

You Don’t Have Time Not to Read