The Alabama Messenger May June 2022 by Alabama District Council of the Assemblies of God

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KENNETH W. DRAUGHON, D.MIN. NETWORK SUPERINTENDENT ds@amnag.org

AMN Conference Recap

As I sit here at the start of May, I am overjoyed with the goodness of the Lord we experience at the AMN Conference April 25-27 at Dothan First Assembly of God. Pastors Mark and Michele Benson, you served our ministers and delegates with excellence. Thank you to your en re team! From beginning to end, it felt that God was drawing our people to the altar. It is my prayer that each of you who came le refreshed and renewed by the work on the Holy Spirit! I want to take a moment to congratulate all of our ministers who were returned to o ce to con nue to serve the Alabama Ministry Network: Rev. John A. Loper, Jr. - Assistant Superintendent Rev. Michael Sharp - Secretary-Treasurer Rev. George Sawyer - General Presbyter Rev. Vint Norris - Chris an Educa on Director Rev. Cyndi Draughon - Women’s Director Rev. David Wooten - Assistant Missions/Men’s Director Rev. Ma Bri - Assistant Youth Director I would also like to congratulate the ordina on class of 2022. May God richly bless each of you as you con nue to seek God’s intended purpose for your life and ministry.

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2022 Ordina on Class with General Secretary, Rev. Donna Barre

MICHAEL D. SHARP, D.MIN. NETWORK SECRETARY-TREASURER msharp@amnag.org

KINGDOMS IN CONFLICT Fallen human nature and our prevailing American culture o en admire traits and prac ces that God’s word condemns. The values of this present evil age display their presence in so many ways in today’s church. In the individuals we exalt, the ac vi es we promote, the priori es we create, the rewards we give.

THE KINGDOMS OF THIS WORLD

THE KINGDOM OF GOD

I have been given posi on, leadership, and Power. I may treat subordinates however I wish.

I am a servant Leader, serving everyone, especially considering the best interests of all who assist me.

I love rugged individualism and independence.

I value community and interdependence.

T grasp at power and love being a “leader” is admirable.

To be a good servant and follower is more important than becoming a “leader.”

Success is measured quan ta vely, by money, power, fame, size, beauty, and in uence.

Success is measured qualita vely, as we are formed and transformed into the image of Christ.

My worth is seen in my dynamic personality, my accomplishments, my charisma, my prominence.

My worth is seen in the sacri ce of Jesus Christ. He is seen in my character, service, and humility.

My busyness “for” God is proof of my love for him and my value in the kingdom.

I will hear Chris ’s call to prayer, God’s word, and wai ng in his presence. Only then will I “do."

We exalt ourselves, our abili es, and we ignore the sovereignty of God. We think we can force God to act by our passionate declara ons or the meals we miss. We think we can change the nature of the Kingdom, the priori es of the Kingdom, the ways we do ministry in the Kingdom to suit our own carnal and cultural preferences. In importance, appearance replaces substance, performance replaces purity, style replaces content. Emo onal experience replaces genuine Spirit-encounter as the cadences of the preacher, or the chord progressions of the band, manipulate us into a pseudo-spiritual catharsis. For decades we have increasingly embraced carnal, cultural values, drawing evermore deeply from the poisoned wells of self and society. The simple, focused portrayal of life and ministry God gave us in his word has been crowded out. God’s concept of the community church, made up of people and pastors who know each other, walk through life together, make disciples together, has been replaced by grandiose visions of mega-pastors, mega-churches, megavisibility, and mega-in uence. The moral, ethical, discipleship failures of this cultural model are manifes ng ever more clearly as me goes on.

Friends, God’s true blessing will rest on living according to the pa erns he has revealed in his word. Doing God’s work in God’s kingdom must be done in the ways God has prescribed. Saul’s armor was of no use to David. Using it would have brought failure. The same is true for us today. Careful, constant study and applica on of God’s word to our lives and ministries will purify us from the worldly principles that de le us. Wherever you nd these kingdoms in con ict, reject the world, reject compromised leaders and churches, and return to God’s kingdom values in life and ministry.

Alabama Youth Ministries www.alabamayouthministries.com Email: dydsec@adcag.org Steven A. Mason District Youth Director

334-279-7172 x3

Top Speed the Light Giving

Top Youth Group Offerings

January-March

Phenix City First Assembly

$9,000.00

Pinedale Assembly, Clanton

$600

Vincent Revival Center

$3,256.22

Montgomery First Assembly

$150

Island Church, Orange Beach

$2,933.69

Evangel Church, Montgomery

$75

Connect Church, New Brockton

$2,419.12

Tuscaloosa First Assembly

$60

Montgomery First Assembly

$2,250.79

New Beginnings, Warrior

$45

East Brewton First Assembly

$1,591.00

Robertsdale First Assembly

$45

Tuscaloosa First Assembly

$1,443.64

Dothan First Assembly

$35

Appleton Assembly, Brewton

$1,419.35

El Bethel, New Brockton

$30

Marvin Chapel, Coffee Springs

$1,125.00

Goodman Assembly, New Brockton

$30

Lifechurch, Birmingham

$1,033.38

Lake City Assembly, Guntersville

$30

2022

C A

August 27

$60,000 GOAL

AYM

Girls Conference

OCTOBER 28-29

D October 15

* U P C O M I N G * E V E N T S * May 6-7 // Sr. Bible Quiz Regional Finals

May 13-14 // Fine Arts Festival-Kingwood, Alabaster August 1-5 // National Fine Arts Festival-Orlando August 25-26 // Youth Rep Cabinet Seminar September 11 // Prayer Zone Partner Sunday September 28 // See You At The Pole October 16 // Speed The Light Sunday November 3-5 // Youth Leaders Summit

CYNDI DRAUGHON DIRECTOR

THANK YOU

THERE ARE MANY THINGS I HAVE TO BE THANKFUL FOR RIGHT NOW, BUT I’D LIKE TO SAY A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO THE AMN MINISTERS AND DELEGATES FOR RETURNING ME TO OFFICE. IT’S AN HONOR AND JOY TO SERVE AS THE ALABAMA WOMEN’S DIRECTOR!

CO MN N

AMN CONFERENCE RECAP

RECAP

WOMEN STEPPED UP TO THE PLATE, AND MINISTERED IN A TREMENDOUS WAY DURING THE AMN CONFERENCE. I LOVE THAT EACH SPEAKER WAS SO UNIQUE IN THEIR APPROACH TO BEING USED BY GOD. I BELIEVE THAT HEARTS AND LIVES WERE FOREVER CHANGED DURING OUR TIME TOGETHER. I ESPECIALLY WANT TO THANK PASTOR MICHELE BENSON. NOT ONLY DID YOU OPEN YOUR DOORS TO HOST, BUT YOU SHARED YOUR HEART WITH OUR WOMEN IN MINISTRY AT THE LADIES LUNCHEON. OUR TIME TOGETHER WAS SPECIAL, AND I PRAY GOD MET WITH EACH OF YOU THERE.

LIFE RALLY TOUR RECAP

I’VE HAD SUCH A WONDERFUL TIME TRAVELING ACROSS ALABAMA DURING THE LIFE RALLY TOUR! THE AMN WOMEN HAVE STEPPED UP TO THE PLATE WITH PLEDGES MADE BY FAITH. IT’S GOING TO BE POWERFUL TO SEE ALL THAT GOD DOES THROUGH YOUR CHURCHES AS YOU GIVE SACRIFICIALLY TO MISSIONS AT HOME AND AROUND THE WORLD. THANK YOU TO EACH OF YOU WHO CAME TO BE A PART. THANK YOU TO EACH OF OUR HOST CHURCHES-YOU DID AN INCREDIBLE JOB. AND LAST, BUT CERTAINLY NOT LEAST, THANK YOU TO MY WOMEN’S REPS- YOU MAKE SERVING OUR FELLOWSHIP A JOY!

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REVIEWING ACCREDITATION CRITICALLY IMPORTANT, OFTEN MISUNDERSTOOD

“Your ‘credits’ will not transfer. You used an unaccredited ‘school.’ They will not satisfy our Fellowship’s educational requirements for ministerial credentials. You should not have tried to take the easiest, quickest, cheapest route.” Sadly, many people trying to enter the ministry are hearing these very words today. Because of the potential student loan debt load, some people prefer a non-accredited educational preparation for ministry. When that is the case, the two institute level options our Network recommends are Berean School of the Bible or the Alabama School of Ministry (ALSOM). The content of these two options is produced by our national office, covers all of the courses required for ministerial credentials, and provides a very low-cost alternative for ministry preparation. We are always working to improve the educational experience for ALSOM students. If you must use a non-accredited, low cost alternative, we recommend that you consider these institute level opportunities. However, if you do desire a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree in preparation for ministry, it is extremely important that you obtain your education from a properly accredited institution. There are many Internet sites and some church-based schools that call themselves colleges, seminaries, and universities, claim to have some kind of accreditation, claim to offer all levels of authentic degrees, but in reality all of their claims are false. The problem of bogus degree mills and accreditation mills continues to plague Christian higher education. If you sense a call into ministry and you desire a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree, our Fellowship strongly recommends that your first choice for education be one of our regionally accredited Assemblies of God universities. Fully accredited degrees are available from Global and other AG universities through inexpensive distance education. We recommend that parents and students pursuing education in any field, especially the ministry, carefully research the accreditation status of prospective schools. Never simply trust what a website, church, or minister tells you! The website may be lying, and even well-meaning churches or ministers may be misinformed. An unaccredited or improperly accredited institution has NO real accountability for their educational product. Their degrees are not recognized, and their credits will almost never transfer to legitimately accredited institutions. When you see any website try to explain away their lack of accreditation, or claim they are avoiding government interference, or cite an unrecognized accrediting agency, but still claim to prepare you for a lifetime of ministry, you should NOT use that institution. They are lying. It is a con. Legitimate institutions will clearly describe their nature and status and will not claim to be something they are not. Many degree mills create fraudulent accreditation mills that will then turn around and “accredit” the fraudulent “educational” site! Because the website looks slick and legit, because they use spiritual and educational language, because they offer the quickest, cheapest way to get a “degree,” many innocent people are deceived. Even local church-based schools of ministry sometimes do not use acceptable sources for their educational component. Parents should be very wary of locally produced material and all non-AG distance “education” offerings. You should thoroughly investigate the accreditation status of any “degree-granting” “school” you consider. You may access AG Higher Education at http://colleges.ag.org. Names of the legitimate accrediting agencies and other important information are available at the Council for Higher Education Accreditation, http://www.chea.org, and at http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation and http://www2.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html. Finally, I will be glad to speak with you at any time to answer questions about education, accreditation, or preparing for ministry. If after checking the accreditation of a school you are still in any way uncertain or confused, please call the Network Office and ask for Dr. Sharp. This is a life-changing decision. We are here to help you choose wisely. – Michael D Sharp, D.Min., Network Secretary-Treasurer, ALSOM Director

DISAPPROVED EDUCATIONAL SOURCES ENDANGER YOUR MINISTERIAL CREDENTIALS GENERAL COUNCIL of the ASSEMBLIES of GOD BYLAWS B. DOCTRINES and PRACTICES DISAPPROVED Section 13. Accountability in Educational Attribution a. Attribution. In order to maintain our testimony of quality and integrity in educational credentials before the Church and the world, and to minimize the possibility of our ministers and churches being victimized by, or supporting, or perpetrating frauds in education or credentialing, we maintain certain standards for the attribution of degrees, certifications, and titles. (1) Attribution by ministers. Our ministers shall refrain from listing, promoting, or attributing to themselves or others any degrees or titles conferred by institutions or organizations having, at the time of conferral, a formal accreditation status less than that of our appropriately corresponding Assemblies of God institutions (whether our institute, regional university, or seminary levels). (2) Attribution by the General Council. No media, ministry, department, arm, or employee of the General Council shall list, attribute, or promote for any person, any degree or title conferred by an institution or organization having, at the time of conferral, a formal accreditations status less than that of our appropriately corresponding Assemblies of God institutions (whether our institute, regional university, or seminary levels). (3) Attribution by local churches. We strongly encourage our ministers, boards, and churches to take great care to ensure that all ministers and church employees have actually earned the legitimately accredited education, training, and certification, as defined above, which they claim by their titles or degrees (such as counselor, therapist, doctor, and so on). (4) Attribution accepted. All previously earned or conferred degrees prior to August 2007, from any institution whatsoever shall be fully accepted and grandfathered in. b. Intentional failure to comply. Intentional refusal to comply with this ethical standard for educational credentials constitutes perpetrating a fraud upon the church and the world, personally and in the good name of the Assemblies of God, and the General Council disapproves of such practices. ARTICLE VII. MINISTRY Section 15. Integrity in Educational Credentials a. Continuing education encouraged. Our ministers and churches are encouraged to seek continuing education, discipleship, spiritual formation, and training opportunities of all kinds, of all degrees of difficulty, of their own initiative or in cooperation with the district council and the General Council, but with great care always taken to properly understand and honestly describe all such training, certifications, degrees, and titles. b. Using adequately accredited institutions. Because of the many questionable institutions offering unaccredited or deficient training and education, and since the General Council, our General Council schools, and our regional Assemblies of God universities are committed to achieving and maintaining the highest standards of accreditation in education, we strongly encourage our ministers to meet their continuing education needs either through endorsed Assemblies of God institutions or through other reputable institutions having accreditation status at least equivalent to that held by our own regionally and nationally accredited schools, and to consult the district council or General Council offices if they have questions in these matters.

ALWAYS Check with the Secretary-Treasurer’s office before taking courses for ministry. A “college” or “seminary” may be a diploma mill, with a fraudulent accreditation.

UNDERSTANDING OUR FINANCIAL COMMITMENTS We sometimes find that, for whatever reasons, some of our ministers are not clear on our financial obligations to the Alabama District. We have begun to publish these more frequently in order to clear up any misunderstandings proactively before ministers fall behind in their giving. Here are the District Bylaws followed by an explanation.

ALABAMA DISTRICT CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS ARTICLE VIII. FINANCES Section 2 - Obligations of Ministers

a. All ministers shall be required to remit on a monthly basis 7.5% of their income earned from Gospel ministry and from secular work for the support of the District general fund. b. The following exceptions are permitted: 1. Ministers who receive wages strictly from secular employment and regularly attend a local assembly shall be required to support the local assembly with 5% of their income and shall also be required to support the District general fund on a monthly basis with 5% of their income. 2. Evangelists shall be required to support the local assembly of which they are a member with 5% of their income and shall also be required to support the District general fund on a monthly basis with 5% of their income. 3. Financial obligations of missionaries, military and industrial chaplains, and nationally appointed home missionaries are as outlined in Article VII, Section 8c of the General Council Bylaws. c. Compliance with the above requirements shall be a prerequisite for membership in the Alabama District Council and for the renewal of credentials of all active ministers. Any minister whose obligation falls into arrears shall be required to appear before his/her respective Sectional committee at the time of the Sectional Councils, and his/her credentials will be withheld until such time as his/her financial obligation is brought up-to- date. d. All ordained ministers shall recognize their obligation to support our General Council headquarters office in Springfield by contributing from their tithes or as an offering, the sum of twenty-five dollars ($25.00) per month. Licensed ministers shall contribute the sum of twenty dollars ($20.00) per month, and certified ministers shall contribute the sum of ten dollars ($10.00) per month.

e. Each minister should accept the responsibility to provide a retirement income for himself and his/her family by contributing an amount equal to 5% of the minister’s salary to the MBA minister’s account. Explanatory Note: If a credentialed minister receives any income from ministry, whether regular or irregular, parttime or full-time, or if they serve in a pastoral role in a local church, then they are required to remit to the district office on a monthly basis 7.5% of their income from all sources, including secular work. If a credentialed minister receives no income at all from ministry, and only receives income from secular work, and does not serve in any pastoral role in a local church, then they are required to remit to the district office on a monthly basis 5% of their income from all sources. Exceptions are only as provided in Paragraph b. In both scenarios, the remainder of the minister’s tithe should be paid to the local church they attend or serve. You may pay your tithes by mail, or online at the Alabama District Website at www.adcag.org, or by Text at Text #73256 Message: ADCAG. If paying online, always enter your personal name in the memo box to ensure that your tithe is credited properly to your account. Ministers who meet the following conditions: 1) are 59 ½ or older, 2) receive no regular income from ministry, 3) do not serve as permanent lead pastor, and 4) have formally requested and received a ministerial status change to SENIOR RETIRED, have no financial obligations to either the General or District Councils. Senior Retired ministers may still be volunteer chaplains, serve without regular remuneration part-time on church staffs, serve in pulpit supply and as short-term interim pastors for love offerings or honorariums, etc. Please contact the district office with any questions as to your proper status. Any exceptions based on category of ministry (missionary, evangelist, etc.) are as described in the Bylaw. Whenever you have questions about how the District requirements apply to your particular circumstances, please contact the District Secretary-Treasurer’s office.

In memory of those who have gone before us… Rev. Robert Manuel Skinner Robert M. Skinner, 93, died Saturday, February 26, 2022, at his home in Fairhope, Alabama, surrounded by family and friends. Robert was born November 1, 1928, in Perdido, Alabama, to Aris and Luetta Skinner. Robert was a watch and clock craftsman for over seventy five years. His true love was fishing, especially for trout, but he was also a fisher of men for the Kingdom of God. He held credentials with the Assemblies of God. Robert is preceded in death by his parents, Aris and Luetta Skinner, his brother, Daniel Skinner, his sister, Joyce Morris, his grandson, Kevin Harris, his first wife of fifty-six years, Clarice Elaine Skinner, and his second wife of seven years, LaVerne Skinner. Robert is survived by his three children, Linda (Frank) Cumbaa of Mobile, Alabama, Gary M. (Juanita) Skinner, Sr., of Dauphin Island, Alabama, and Randy (Dena) Skinner of Fairhope, Alabama. He is survived by six grandchildren, Sandy (Jim) Colby, Michael (Gloria) Skinner, Jr., Joseph (Kellie) Skinner, Sr., Lynda Wilder, Dr. Katrina Skinner (Matthew Aubrey), and Dr. Katie (John) Erdlitz. He also leaves behind fourteen great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. He is also survived by two sisters, Rev. Lois Long of Port St. Joe, Florida, and Marlene (Murl) Winters of Springville, Missouri. He also leaves behind a host of nieces and nephews and their families.

Rev. Robert D Bartlett Robert Douglas "Doug" Bartlett went to his eternal reward Sunday, March 27, 2022. He was born in Range, Alabama on August 7, 1938 to Allie Mae Johnson Clark and Charles Allen Bartlett, both deceased. Doug was a graduate of Baker High School, Class of 1956. He attended Southeastern Bible College from 1957-1958. He was preceded in death by his parents; and siblings, William (Bill) Bartlett, Charles Bartlett, Ruth Petrantis, and Betty Joyner. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Louise Busby Bartlett; children, Lanetta Goff (Darnell), Russell Bartlett (Belinda), and Starla Bartlett; grandchildren, Brittany Bartlett Felps (Oso), Dusten Bartlett, Dalton Bartlett, Garrett Goff (Pamela), Michaela Goff, and Wyatt Booker; great-grandchildren, Caleb Chhum, Averie Chhum, David Bartlett, Yanna Chhum, Kyler Autrey, and Harley Autrey; sister, Dorothy Lawrence; along with many nieces, nephews, cousins, numerous other relatives, and beloved friends. Doug was a talented musician and writer. He pastored churches in Alabama and Florida as well as being a first-class brick contractor. After retiring, he did consulting work. His last pastorate was Evangel Temple Assembly of God in Theodore, Alabama where he did service at for 40 years. Doug has written many songs and wrote music for other people's songs. He has published 4 books and really enjoyed writing stories for his children and grandchildren. Doug was loved and respected by everyone he met. He was the same in the community as he was in the pulpit. He will be truly missed.

MINISTERIAL CHANGES

2022 SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS

Transferred in: Kristopher Mar n (L) Deceased: Robert Skinner Robert D Bartle Pastoral Changes: Eric Helfens ne Evangel Temple Theodore

tti

New/Upgraded Creden als: Geovanna Bowman (C) Koby Cormier (L) Rachael Conley (C) Je ery Jackson (L) Julie M Whatley (L) Isabella R Waldroup (C) Lacey W Davenport (C) Tabitha White (C) Jeremy Cousins (C)

2022 ORDINATION CLASS Paul Burdine (O) John Cain (O) Brandy Culver (O) Philip Culver (O) Brandon Davis (O) Carlee Dunn (O) James Ginn (O) Sunil Jessy (O) Johnathon Johnson (O) Je rey Linholm (O) Jonathan Moss (O) Clayton Smith (O) Hayden Sullivan (O) Heidi Trippe (O)

Student Sierra Davis Mary Patrice Entsminger Anna Grace Jones Elisha Joy Jones Joseph Lee Chase Mason Zackary Mills Steven Pe s Jordan Phillips Anna Reid Deborah Sekaya Sieanna Sowers Nathan Strahan David Varela Tyler West Emma Renae White Kaitlyn Whi Emma Williamson Annika Wollner David Wollner

School SAGU SEU SEU SEU SEU SEU NPBC SEU SEU SEU SEU SAGU SEU SEU SAGU SAGU SEU SEU NCU NCU

Becoming Pastor-Readers BY GEORGE P. WOOD

s executive editor of AG Publications, I get paid to read books. I read them to identify potential authors, topics, and reviews for Influence magazine and Called to Serve, as well as to prepare for interviews on the Influence Podcast. Were it not for publishers willing to send me a steady stream of new books, I couldn’t do my job. I’d read even if I weren’t an editor, however. After a long, hard day of reading at work, I like to go home and read some more. Sometimes, the books are ministry related. Other times, they’re not. Regardless, I feel the same way about reading that Eric Liddell felt about running: “God made me literate. And when I read, I feel His pleasure.” Austin Carty argues in The Pastor’s Bookshelf that there is more to reading than professional duty or personal delight. He differentiates between “a pastor who reads simply in search of information” (or leisure) and a “pastor-reader.” For the latter, reading is formational. It “not only makes us better pastors but also makes us better people.” This point seems obvious when it comes to reading Scripture, but Carty focuses on the formational power of reading books other than the Bible, whether nonfiction or fiction. Reading forms us in at least two ways: First, Carty writes, “a commitment to wide, regular reading exposes us to so many new people and places and ideas and ideologies that — slowly, quietly, and continually — it enlarges our sense of the world and what is possible.” Call this reading’s widening effect. Second, he notes that “numerous empirical studies have found that ‘deep reading’ forms neural pathways that correspond with greater capacities for empathy, patience, critical thinking, and tolerance of ambiguity.” Call this reading’s deepening effect. Some ministers may feel threatened by these two effects. These effects feel like a mushy liberalism that transgresses the boundaries of orthodoxy or builds on a foundation other than the bedrock of Scripture. There’s a lot of truth to the proverb, “If you’re too open-minded, your brains will fall out.” By the same token, though, there are spiritual dangers to a narrow, shallow version of faith. This is especially true on social media, whose algorithms lump us only with like-minded people, feeding us a steady diet of information that merely confirms our preexisting opinions. Reading helps ministers develop appropriate width and depth. In short, it forms wisdom in us. Carty describes wisdom as “one’s capacity to discern the bigger picture; to see

beyond the present moment with its immediate concerns and anxieties; to parse the difference between what seems to matter and what really matters; to distinguish between an impulsive reaction and a measured response.” I’m sure you can see how this wisdom derived from reading would be valuable in your day-to-day work as a minister. Carty provides numerous examples of how it has helped (or corrected) his preaching, pastoral care, vision casting, and leadership. Ministers read for spiritual formation, to be sure, but spiritual formation has organizational benefits. So, how can we move from “pastors who read for information” to “pastor-readers”? Carty suggests five ways: First, schedule reading during office hours as if it were a “pastoral visit.” He suggests you start reading one hour daily outside of your personal devotions or sermon preparation. Second, think of reading as a “spiritual discipline.” Carty recommends classic spiritual discipline books by Richard J. Foster and Dallas Willard, but he faults them for excluding reading beyond the Bible. If reading forms us in wisdom, however, then it is a spiritual discipline, too, alongside prayer, Bible study, corporate worship, and the like. Third, read with a “proper spirit,” that is, with “humility, charity, and hospitality.” Carty quotes Neal Plantinga to great effect: “Reading is no doubt imperative for the pastor, but so too is a spirit of receptivity. Without the proper spirit, reading will not occasion the kind of moral and spiritual formation we are talking about.” Fourth, read “for whatever reason” you like. Carty describes his reading philosophy as “a pneumatology of reading” because “the Holy Spirit plays a central (though intrinsically mysterious) role in directing us as pastor-readers toward what — and when, and why — to read.” Carty is Baptist, but that remark is thoroughly Pentecostal. Fifth, develop a system to “mark and file what you’ve read.” We forget about 90% of what we read, so your system should help you recall the most helpful insights and quotations. I close with Paul’s request to Timothy: “Bring the books” (2 Timothy 4:13, ESV). After reading The Pastor’s Bookshelf, you’ll know why this should be a life verse of every pastor-reader. Book Reviewed Austin Carty, The Pastor’s Bookshelf: Why Reading Matters for Ministry (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2022).

George P. Wood is executive editor of Assemblies of God Publications.

This article originally appeared in the Spring 2022 issue of Called to Serve, the Ministers Letter of the Assemblies of God.