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Pastor, one of the most important habits you can develop is the habit of reading. If you’re not taking in truth, you won’t have much to give out. At Saddleback, we often said that growing churches require growing leaders—and leaders grow by learning. Conferences, mentors, and podcasts all help, but reading has always been one of my favorite ways to stretch my mind and spirit.Every leader is a reader. Not all readers are leaders, but every effective leader is a reader. If you’re going to lead your church well, you’ve got to think further ahead than the people you’re leading. That means you must keep reading.Paul understood this. Near the end of his life, writing from prison, he told Timothy: “When I was in Troas, I left my coat there with Carpus. So when you come, bring it to me, along with my books, particularly the ones written on parchment” (2 Timothy 4:13 NCV). Think about that. Paul is cold, imprisoned, and nearing the finish line of his ministry—and he still says, “Bring my books.” Charles Spurgeon pointed out that even after seeing the risen Christ, writing much of the New Testament, and preaching for decades, Paul still wanted to learn.If Paul valued reading that deeply, we should too. But pastors are busy. So how do you get the most out of the limited time you have?Here are seven practical ways to make your reading time count.1. Analyze your reading habits.Ask yourself:Is my reading planned or sporadic?If you don’t plan your reading, you’ll waste time on books that have little impact on your ministry.How many books have I read recently?Years ago, I read that the average Presbyterian pastor reads five books a year and the average Baptist pastor reads three. It’s no wonder so many churches struggle to grow. Reading fuels leading.2. Schedule time for reading.Find a consistent time when you won’t be interrupted. For me, that’s often at night—there’s rarely anything worthwhile on TV anyway. Just 15 minutes a day adds up to nearly two dozen books a year. Over a lifetime, that’s more than 1,000 books, which is the equivalent of earning several college degrees.3. Balance your reading.Pastors often read only in their favorite areas, such as theology, preaching, or leadership. That’s helpful, but limiting. Stretch your mind. Read widely: science, history, psychology, biographies. I’ve even read books on birds and astronomy. Broader reading makes you a broader preacher and gives you fresh illustrations for your sermons.4. Don’t just read a book—respond to it.Be an active reader. Mark up your books. I always keep a pencil in hand, even with magazines. A book becomes your book when you interact with it. The greatest value of a book isn’t what it teaches you; it’s what it stimulates in you. Write down ideas for sermons, ministries, or personal growth. A.W. Tozer once said that one mark of a great book is that you have to stop reading it so you can think.5. Know what not to read.Your time is too precious to waste on inferior books. More than 1,000 books are published globally every day—and many Christian books aren’t worth your attention. Be selective. Choose books that deepen your character, sharpen your skills, or stretch your thinking.6. Make a monthly trip to the library.This isn’t to find Christian books—most libraries don’t carry many. Go to the library to stay current in other fields: management, psychology, communication, culture. Scan the latest magazines. In two hours, you can flip through 40 magazines and come away with fresh stories and sermon material. Many of my illustrations have come from mainstream publications because that’s what people are already reading.7. Build your own library.Every profession needs tools. A carpenter needs a hammer and saw; a pastor needs books. You’re feeding, leading, and communicating—and books sharpen all three. Over the years, you’ll build a library your children can inherit. Whether or not they go into ministry, it becomes an invaluable treasure.Reading is one of the most valuable habits you can develop as a pastor. Keep learning. Keep growing. Because every leader is a reader,  and your church will grow as you do.

Even some of history’s great preachers struggled with how to conclude their messages. Many never pressed for a verdict; instead, they simply trailed off at the end. Pastors fail in this area more than in any other part of their sermons.I spend a lot of time on sermon conclusions because a sermon without a conclusion is a message without a purpose. Changed lives come from great conclusions.Here are a few ways to make your conclusions more effective:Always point back to Christ. Offer an opportunity to receive Christ and expect people to respond.End with emotional intensity. Preach through the head to the heart. Once you’ve informed people’s minds, you must touch their emotions and challenge their wills. Your conclusion should be the emotional high point of the sermon.Ask for a specific response. Nothing becomes dynamic until it becomes specific. Here are some ways I try to encourage a specific response:Use an argument. Anticipate objections your audience might have and logically refute them.Use a warning. Warn them of the consequences of disobedience.Use indirect conviction. Arouse moral indignation and then turn it inward, as Nathan did with David in 2 Samuel 12.Use pleading. Express God’s love and concern for your congregation and for others.Use vision. Paint a picture of what is possible if they obey God. Help them to have faith.Use encouragement. Tell them they can do it through God’s power.Make it personal. Each person listening should feel like you’re talking directly to them.Restate your major points forcefully. You reinforce the truth by summarizing it clearly.Use a compelling illustration. This helps make the message memorable.Use a piercing question. Engage people by prompting them to process and apply the message.Use surprise. The best conclusions often sneak up on a congregation rather than being predictable or expected.Avoid Common MistakesDon’t introduce anything new in your conclusion. Don’t add a point you forgot earlier—it will only confuse people.Don’t just summarize your message. A conclusion is more than a recap; it’s where you challenge your church to apply what they’ve heard.Don’t blame the clock when it’s time to wrap up.Don’t say, “Now, in conclusion,” unless you truly mean it.Think Through Your Closing PrayerMy closing prayer of commitment always applies the points of the message. Remember to say this closing prayer slowly.Rewrite Your Conclusion If NeededOne of the benefits of multiple services is that you can strengthen your conclusion after the first one. I don’t change the message, but I often rewrite the conclusion based on how the sermon feels when preached.Remember, good conclusions lead people to true repentance—to changed lives. That should be ample motivation to work hard on them.

If you’ve ever wondered how you’ll pay your bills, you’re not alone. Financial stress is one of the most common burdens church leaders carry—and it’s one that can steal your joy and distract you from your calling. But God has made a powerful promise to you in Philippians 4:19:“God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19 NIV).Look more closely at that verse. It doesn’t say, “God might meet your needs.” It says, “God will.”It also doesn’t say “some of your needs.” It says “all.”Does that mean a place to live? Yes.Braces for your child? Yes.Transportation to work? Yes.But notice: It doesn’t say, “God will meet all your greeds.” There’s a big difference between needs and wants. Just like a good parent doesn’t give a child everything they ask for, your heavenly Father doesn’t give you everything you want—because he knows what’s best. But he does give you all you need.And this promise isn’t based on your bank account. It’s based on “the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” He never runs out of resources.So why do some believers still struggle financially? Has God failed? Not at all.With every promise, there is a premise. It’s like God says, “I’ll do my part; you do your part.” The Bible gives us clear financial principles, and in this article, we’ll look at five specific conditions for financial stability.1. Ask for God’s help.“Ask and it will be given you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will opened to you” (Matthew 7:7 GNT).Before you swipe the card or sign the check, pray. Give God the first opportunity to provide. Most of us depend more on our credit cards than on Christ.Jesus said, “Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete” (John 16:24 NIV).God wants you to ask so he can give. Why? Because when you receive, your joy overflows—and joyful leaders are a great witness to a watching world.2. Learn to be content.“But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it” (1 Timothy 6:6–7 NIV).Discontentment is a thief. Many pastors live with “when” thinking—When the church grows . . . when I get a raise . . . when the bills are paid . . . then I’ll be happy. But when you get there, you’ll just want more.Contentment means your joy isn’t based on your circumstances. When you learn to be content, you free yourself from the endless chase for more.3. Practice giving in faith.“Honor the LORD with your wealth and the firstfruits from all your crops. Then your barns will be full” (Proverbs 3:9–10 NCV).This is the principle of tithing—giving God the first portion of your income. Not what’s left over. It’s an act of worship that says, God, I trust you.It may not seem logical to give when you have a need, but that’s exactly when giving builds faith. Just like a farmer plants seed to reap a harvest, your giving is a spiritual investment that God multiplies.4. Maintain your integrity.“The Lord demands fairness in every business deal” (Proverbs 16:11 TLB).God doesn’t bless dishonesty. You can’t cut corners or cheat people and expect God to provide. The Bible is clear: “The blessing of the LORD makes a person rich, and he adds no sorrow with it” (Proverbs 10:22 NLT).If you’ve been dishonest, repent and make it right. God blesses those who walk in integrity—and that includes your finances.5. Trust him with your life.“Your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else . . . and he will give you everything you need” (Matthew 6:32–33 NLT).Worry is a form of practical atheism. It’s living like God doesn’t care. But Scripture reminds us:“He gives food to those who trust him; he never forgets his promises” (Psalm 111:5 TLB).If God solved your biggest problem—eternity—by sending Jesus to die for you, don’t you think he can handle your electric bill?Final ChallengeGod has staked his reputation on this promise: “God will meet all your needs.” But every promise has a premise.So ask yourself these questions.Will you pray before you pay?Will you choose contentment over comparison?Will you give in faith, even when it’s hard?Will you lead with honesty and integrity?Will you trust Jesus with every financial worry?If you do, you’ll discover what it means to live free from financial fear—and experience the richness of God’s faithful provision.

“There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. . . . When your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.”1 Peter 1:6–7 (NLT)Pastor, the challenges you’re walking through right now are not random. They’re not meaningless. And they’re not unnoticed by God.The long nights, the unanswered texts, the critics who question your heart, the weariness that lingers after Sunday—none of it is wasted.God is not only aware of your circumstances, but he’s also weaving them into something meaningful. He’s shaping your heart, your ministry, and your message through both the celebrations and the sufferings.Nothing touches your life—or your ministry—without first passing through your heavenly Father’s loving hands. Everything is Father-filtered.Let’s be clear: God doesn’t cause all things. Sin, suffering, and the brokenness of this world often wreak havoc on the people you serve, and on your own life, too. But while God doesn’t cause everything, he never wastes anything.As a pastor, you carry wounds no one sees. You bear burdens that sometimes feel like they outweigh the joy. But God is the master of redemption. He takes the hardest parts of ministry and uses them to refine you and build his Kingdom.He let Paul be imprisoned so a jailer could be saved. He let Jesus suffer so the world could be redeemed. He can take what feels like a crucifixion in your ministry—and bring about resurrection.The trials you want removed may be the very ones God is using to form you into the shepherd he’s calling you to be.The Bible promises: “There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. . . . When your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world” (1 Peter 1:6–7 NLT).God is at work—even in your weariness, even in your pain. And the fruit of your faithful endurance will far outweigh the struggles you face today.