On average, American adults read 12.6 books a year, according to a January 2022 Gallup survey. That's about a book a month. Reliable data on pastor-readers is harder to come by, but a 2013 Barna study found that pastors bought 3.8 books a month. If pastors read what they buy, they read about a book a week.

In this episode of the Influence Podcast, I'm talking with pastor-reader Heather Weber about why pastors should read, as well as how often and what they should read. I'm George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host.

Heather Weber is a writer, certified leadership coach, and ordained Assemblies of God minister. She serves as sectional presbyter for the Iowa Ministry Network and director of the Network of Women Ministers in Iowa and the North Central Region of the AG.

She also hosts Your Pastor Reads Books, a podcast devoted to "conversations about the books pastors are reading that are helping to shape them into whole-hearted followers of Jesus and healthier givers of spiritual care to others." It's available on Apple and Spotify.

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This episode of the Influence Podcast is brought to you by The General Council of the Assemblies of God.

General Council is the AG's premier conference. It occurs every two years the first week in August and incorporates spiritual inspiration, practical leadership training, and denominational business. The theme of the 2023 General Council is "Our Church, Our Family." The conference will take place July 31–August 4 in Columbus, Ohio.

Visit GeneralCouncil.AG.org for more information and to register.