Over the last year, I’ve really gotten into reading magazines and journals more frequently. I’ve even gotten several subscriptions and have been able to keep up with reading enough to feel like they’re worth the investment. Some magazines are worth every page, while most theological journals require some skimming — there are a few exceptions. So, if you’re interested, here’s what I read (in no particular order!):
BSM is a bimonthly publication from the people at Logos, who also created my amazing Bible software (Scholar’s Library: Gold). The introductory page reads:
Bible Study Magazine is a non-denominational publication dedicated to providing readers with tools and methods for Bible study, as well as insight from respected Bible teachers, professors, historians and archaeologists.
I’ve really enjoyed the first 2 issues of BSM (they just began publishing it at the end of 2008), and anticipate great things in the future. They still have introductory subscriptions available for $14.95 — I recommend this magazine.
World Magazine is a biweekly publication from God’s World Publications. I appreciate getting world news (mostly national) from a biblical perspective, even though I don’t always agree with some of their conclusions — obviously, that’s bound to happen no matter what you read. World Magazine subscribers also get free access to the online publication. World magazine’s mission is:
To report, interpret, and illustrate the news in a timely, accurate, enjoyable, and arresting fashion from a perspective committed to the Bible as the inerrant Word of God.
The Briefing is published by Matthias Media monthly. The Briefing is a worthwhile read that I’ve enjoyed receiving each month. I don’t read every article, but more than anything, have liked having updates on the latest resources from Matthias. Their website describes what you will find in a typical magazine:
- Articles to help every Christian in their walk with God.
- A Christian perspective on the actions and events of the world around us.
- A new section for pastors and lay leaders that provides encouragement and ideas to ministers of God’s Word.
- 20 short and powerful studies to help you read the Scriptures daily (Bible Brief)
- An occasional longer article with space for reflection on the Scriptures and its bearing upon our lives (Briefing Essays).
VOM publishes a monthly newsletter with updates on the persecuted Church from around the world. This is always a convicting, hope-filled read that gives me direction in my prayers for world evangelization and local congregations across the nations. This is a free publication and one that I think every Christian family needs to receive in the mailbox and read together during family worship.
The Journal of Modern Ministry
JMM is published by Timeless Texts in the winter, spring, and fall and is edited by Jay Adams. I have benefited from the majority of the articles in the journal, and appreciate the practical approach of many of the writers. As one might expect from something edited by Dr. Adams, many of the articles are related to biblical counseling, but not all.
The City is a publication of Huston Baptist University. They have a free subscription and website. The City is published 3 times per year and has thoughtful, multi-perspectival articles that address a plethora of current issues. They include poetry, book reviews, instruction from the Word, articles on things like virtue and bioethics, and various other areas of interest. I like The City, but often feel the need to turn up my discernment meter a little more than I do in other publications.
I like to have at least 1 secular news source just to see what the mainstream media thinks is important from week-to-week. I’m not particularly fond of this publication, but I read it and, every once and a while, run across something that catches my attention. I don’t spend much on this subscription, and it’s delivered to my Amazon Kindle, so I don’t have the magazines sitting around!
The #1 Triathlon magazine in print.
The #2 Triathlon magazine in print.
This has been my longest running subscription. I like RW for advice, new gear reviews, and inspiration. But, if you’ve ever been part of a running community, you’ll soon learn that conservatives are a rare breed in the bunch for some reason. The magazine reflects that in a lot of its articles, but I appreciate what they offer most of the time.
Filed under: Culture, Ministry, Opinion, Pastoral, Personal, Review, reading
Taking your suggestion and subscribing to VOM. I also printed out info on PrisonerAlert.com which we may do as a family ministry. I may highlight that as a recommended resource for families to use for ministry in the Friday edition of my blog. thanks for your recommendations.