Upon arriving to Korea a few months ago, life has been hectic, and it’s been quite the struggle to find an opportunity to blog. I love blogging, but life has just been overwhelming.
One of the blessings of being here and serving at Onnuri Community Church is that I get to learn from Pastor Eddie Byun. I first met Eddie when he was my youth pastor at the Philadelphia Church of Vancouver (he was in seminary at the time). I never thought that I would ever see or partner with him again, so it’s amazing to be here in Korea and have the opportunity to learn from him.
About a month ago, I asked him what sort of disciplines I should develop in my life if I want to grow as a Pastor. He told me that one thing he does is to focus on a different subject each day, and to focus on learning about that subject on that given day. Now this exercise isn’t reserved for pastors alone, but it’s useful for all people.
Here is how I’m organizing my week, and the books that I have chosen to read on the subject.
Monday: Prayer/Fasting
– Too Busy Not to Pray: Bill Hybels
– A Hunger for God: John Piper
Tuesday: Leadership
– Axiom: Bill Hybels
– Reformed Pastor: Richard Baxter
– Leading from the Second Chair: Bonem and Patterson
– An Unstoppable Force: Erwin McManus
– Envisioning an Apostolic Church: Yong-Jo Ha (The Senior Pastor of Onnuri Community Church)
Wednesday: Preaching
– Speaking to Teenagers: Fields and Robbins
– The Supremacy of God in Preaching: John Piper
– Biblical Preaching: Haddon Robinson
– The Art and Craft of Biblical Preaching: Edited by Robinson and Larson
Thursday: Spiritual Warfare
– Spiritual Warfare for Every Christian: Dean Sherman
– Screwtape Letters: C.S. Lewis
– Powers of Darkness
Friday: Culture
– Third Culture Kids: Pollock and Van Reken
– Korea Unmasked: Rhie
– American/Korean Contrasts: Susan Oak
Saturday: Marriage
– Marriage Spirituality: R. Paul Stevens
– Sacred Marriage: Gary Thomas
– Every Man’s Marriage: Arterburn and Stoeker (This one I’m going to reread because I’m married now…I read the book while I was dating)
Let’s see how this goes. I’ve already done a week, I missed a few days, but on the days I did stick with the schedule, it’s been great.
I can’t wait to finish all the books on my list and add new ones.
Until next time…
Re: Reformed Pastor
Great even if you aren’t a pastor. I loved it. I have it in audio form.
Oh awesome. Is the audio form easy to listen to?
That’s a really good idea. With school and everything I find myself overwhelmed with a lot of reading that isn’t required for my classes. I think I’ll try that.
Hey Isaiah,
Great to hear from you!
How’s bible college treating you?? 🙂
Learn one thing new each day — what a great idea!
Too Busy Not to Pray: Bill Hybels — now that’s a book for me. I am convicted!
Thanks for your thoughts. I’ll continue to pray for God’s protection and guidance in your life and all He may touch through you.
Great! Thanks so much. 🙂
Bible College is great! I love it.
I hope Korea’s going well for you.
dude, it’s so awesome
It’s a great idea! I think I’ll start with one book each day cause I’m not an achiever like you Daniel 🙂
hey ! did you know that Third Culture Kids is one of Shanda’s favourite books? I think she used to cry every time she’d read it because she felt like it was specifically written about her. Let me know how it goes!