The influence of reading

Posted on January 30, 2026 
Filed under Resources

Ian Carmichael – with Matthias Media from the start (when they were known as St Matthias Press!) – shares some thoughts about reading:

“It will, I’m sure, come as no surprise to you that I am a reading enthusiast. But I don’t mean I read enthusiastically; I don’t. I generally find reading quite hard work (especially reading whilst remaining awake – which I concede is the more effective of the two modes of reading). No, I am a reading enthusiast because I believe wholeheartedly in its benefits. I am confident of its benefits generally and its benefits for our growth and maturity as Christians.

An organization in Australia called Australia Reads is on a mission to get more Australians reading, and they’ve published a significant report into the reading habits of Aussies in the hope of revealing potential strategies for achieving that mission.

I have now read that report. (See, their mission is working already!) …”

– Read it here.

Admittedly, this is could be a plug to buy books from Matthias Media (their New Year sale ends tomorrow!), but it’s also encouragement to church leaders to set an example in reading.

Photo: Ian and Stephanie Carmichael.