Proclaimer Blog
Christian periodicals
Alongside Christian newspapers, it's a really good habit for a pastor-teacher to read Christian periodicals. There are a number of reasons:
- by definition, such things tend to stretch us. This discipline of feeding our minds and hearts and seeking to grow is always worthwhile. The nature of journals/periodicals is that you get more developed and thought-through arguments than, say, a blog.
- they also challenge some of our core convictions. I find journals make me think about what I am doing and how I am doing it. Not always in agreement, of course, but (and I admit to sticking to evangelical publications) with right motives
- they sift through the books being published. Of the making of books, there is much. You cannot possibly read every book, and I find journals a helpful way of sifting what is good to read and suggesting other titles that I might not come across elsewhere
Here are the ones I regularly look at: it's hardly an exhaustive list and I'm not making any comment by saying that I know that there others, and that I don't read them. As with books, you can't read everything. But over a few years, these are the ones that I've found particularly helpful.
- I like Modern Reformation. I have actually got a print subscription, though that not's strictly necessary. But I find this one stretches my thinking nicely.
- Slightly more down to earth and less technical (though no less helpful) is The Briefing. I don't always agree with it (like most of the journals, in fact), but it's always stimulating.
- I like the Banner magazine for its historical focus
- Credo comes from baptist roots (like me), but does not generally seem narrow. It's nicely presented, online only (and free).
- IX marks has a similar provenance and is focused on issues in the local church – always stimulating, also free and online
- Themelios sometimes does my brain in being a Pooh bear (bear of little brain). But the book reviews are superb. Now online and free.
- Churchman comes into the office, so I tend to read it. Very occasionally I just don't understand it (being a good non-conformist), but nonetheless, some very interesting articles which have helped me enormously.