Light reading in the pulpit: Texts for preaching

We wondered what kind of reading ministers rely on for inspiration or help in preaching—apart from reading commentaries on scripture or other materials directly related to the task. Do they draw on certain authors of fiction or nonfiction? Are they influenced by essays, poetry, magazines or children’s literature? Here are some reflections. —Ed.

I read theology to understand myself and be reminded that I cannot ever hope to understand God. I get my deep meaning from reading dead Germans. Most everything else is entertainment. But it all affects my preaching. Whatever book is on my nightstand follows me into the pulpit. I enjoy crime novels and hope their narrative drive and sense of urgency helps keep my sermons focused and lean. Two of my favorite authors in the genre are Raymond Chandler and James Ellroy. They can both be brutal. I suspect that steady exposure to such nastiness has helped contain or corral my own impulse to preach too sweetly. When I was younger I read Raymond Carver nonstop. While his “theological anthropology” is far too bleak to be of use in the pulpit, his technique is invaluable. Not a word is wasted.

But garrulous writers are also helpful. I try to be humorous, and I’ve learned how to write a sideways joke from two of the masters. I love Charles Portis and P. G. Wodehouse. Sam Lipsyte also makes me laugh out loud. But I always come back to Portis. His deadpan ridiculousness seems tailor-made for the pulpit.