Meet Gareth Lloyd.

Gareth, who is 37 years old, is the senior pastor of Sovereign Grace Church in Merthyr Tydfil, Wales. He graduated from the Evangelical Theological College of Wales with a B.A. in Theological Studies. Gareth and his wife, Angela, have been married for 18 years and have seven children.

Gareth, thanks for your time! Please describe for us your morning devotions. What time do you wake up in the morning? How much time do you spend reading, meditating, praying, etc.? What are you presently reading?

I wake at 6:30. While Angela is caring for our newborn baby and toddler I get ready with four of our other children for an hour and a half drive to school. The outbound journey is spent mostly listening to and singing along to worship songs and on my home journey each day I listen to a sermon usually connected to one of the books I am currently reading in my devotions. At present I am using the Robert Roberts daily reading plan.

Of late, I have been reading through the book of Numbers and I have been listening to some messages by Iain Duguid. When I get home I usually spend approximately an hour reading and praying before launching into my work for the day.

I usually change my devotional reading plan each year. In the past I have used the Robert Murray McCheyne Reading Plan along with D.A. Carson’s notes. Last year I took just three Bible books for the year and worked through them slowly asking the usual questions as I read: What did the writer want the original reader to know? What significance does this have for us today? What difference is that going to make?

I try to pray through the Scriptures that I am reading, pursuing fellowship and intimacy with God before praying for family, the local church and the town of Merthyr.

What book(s) are you currently reading in these three categories: (a) for your soul, (b) for pastoral ministry, or (c) for personal enjoyment?

I’m not sure I have been as clear as to categorize them in this way! I guess there is something of an overlap between categories in the books I am currently reading:

Religious Affections by Jonathan Edwards.

Preaching the Whole Bible as Christian Scripture: The Application of Biblical Theology to Expository Preaching by Graeme Goldsworthy.

Daniel Rowland and the Great Evangelical Awakening in Wales by Eifion Evans.

George Whitfield: The Life and Time of the Great Evangelist in the 18th Century Revival by Arnold Dallimore.

John Wesley by Iain Murray.

Since the beginning of the year I have been planted in the early 18th century for much of my reading and am finding it a most exhilarating experience!

These are the books that I am reading through in a progressive, consistent manner. There are many more that I will dip into and skim through from time to time.

Apart from Scripture, what book do you most frequently re-read and why?

The Memoirs of Jonathan Edwards. It consistently stirs in me a passion to pursue holiness and experiential Christianity.

Jerry Bridges, The Discipline of Grace. This book has helped me with my inclination to drift back into legalism. It is a great reminder to me of the implications of the gospel of grace.

C.J. Mahaney, Humility. Likewise, I have a horrible inclination to make me, myself, and I the object of my attention.

When you finish a book, what system have you developed in order to remember and reference that book in the future?

I really need to be more systematic in order to retain more of what I read. However, I always read with a pen, underlining and making notes in my books. I then skim through the book after reading and jot down highlights in a personal notebook.

Join me next time for part two of my interview with my friend Gareth Lloyd.