Reading fiction should be part of every pastor’s job description. Most pastors read often, but if a pastor’s reading consists only of Bible commentaries and leadership books, then their reading is anemic. A good novel is more helpful for the work of pastoral ministry than over 99% of “pastoral leadership” books on the market.

Fiction, even if it is only decent, turns our attention to people and relationships. A novel does not give advice, does not preach, does not have a “point” to make. Rather, it places you in the lives of people and conflict and the longing for catharsis. It introduces you to locations where people live, places where people eat, laugh, make love, talk, play games, and die. Reading a novel forces the reader to listen to what people say, and what they do not say, and how they say or do not say it. A pastoral visit or conversation in a church foyer is not unlike reading a novel. You have to listen and pay attention to the names, places, and words said and unsaid. If you are just listening until you get “the point”, well, then you have missed the point of a conversation!

Non-fiction is all about getting “the point” across. It is about ideas and principles in the abstract. Of course, brief stories may be given as an illustration. But the names and people are used for the purpose of getting the idea across. A pastor who only reads non-fiction can begin to see people as objects to be utilized for some greater purpose (advancing the “mission” of the church), rather than as people to be known, heard, and loved. Non-fiction has its place, of course. But it must be balanced with a healthy diet of novels.

The teaching of Jesus is nothing if not a balance between fiction and non-fiction. Jesus taught by speaking of ideas and principles. “Love your enemies,” “Pray like this…,” “Don’t judge.” But he also taught with fiction: parables. “A sower went out to his field to sow seed,” “There was a man who had two sons,” “A certain who was born into royalty went to a distant land to receive his kingdom…” These are fictional stories about people who did not actually exist. Yet these parables put flesh and blood to the teachings of Jesus. Who can imagine reading the gospels without the parables!? Yet, we think we can do pastoral ministry with only non-fiction?

So what novels should a pastor read? Reading any fiction is almost better than reading no fiction. Of course, some options are better than others. You cannot go wrong with the classics (they are classics for a reason). Writers like Dostoyevsky,  Hemingway, and Steinbeck have influenced and shaped me not only as a pastor but as a person. But there are some great “contemporary” writers as well: Kent Haruf and Celeste Ng are both excellent! Plainsong by Haruf and Little Fires Everywhere by Ng would be required reading if I were to teach a pastoral ministry class.

My main advice would be to find something you enjoy, but also something that challenges you. Choose something that makes you listen, pay attention, and ask questions. Junk fiction has its place, but if you can turn your brain off while reading then it probably is not going to achieve as much something that forces you to engage.

My final recommendation would be to begin your reading with prayer. Last year I wrote a prayer that I use often when I sit down to read. You are welcome to it:

“Father, read this book to me. Give me ears to hear what you would have me hear. Let me hear your voice and not just see words on a page. Whether what I read be good or bad, right or wrong, helpful or unhelpful, let my reading be prayer to you in Jesus’ name. Amen.”