Prevent Brain Drain

Recently saw a sign in front of a school that said Prevent Brain Drain __ Read, Read, Read.

Brain-drain is sometimes referred to as “human capital flight” usually involving a mass emigration of technically skilled people from one country to another country. Brain-drain can have many reasons __ political instability, lack of opportunities, health risks, or personal/spiritual conflicts.

The first reaction I had to the school sign was true human capital flight is not easily solved by reading. In fact, the more one reads the more likely you would entertain the idea of moving from one country to another for one's livelihood.

The school sign actually used a clever play on words to encourage student reading over the summer vacation.

Now let's merge the brain-drain school sign with another piece of information that recently crossed over the Internet. Christians are becoming more and more biblical illiterate. Believers are forgoing bible study for lighter studies, typically a book written by some “successful” pastor promoting the latest model to attract millennials, grow church attendance or increase financial commitment.


Joshua 1:8 encourages us to read the right material and reminds us what the outcomes will be when we focus on the Word of God.

“This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.”

What ever happened to the biblical model clearly detailed throughout Scripture? Is it too simple or old fashioned? Has the bible lost its attraction and the power to change lives and communities?

Bible reading apps are readily available to help us get through the Bible over some time frame. But one has to be careful the medium does not become the message. Reading the Word without studying the Word may not be enough. “Day and night” means just that __ day and night! And not just occasionally.

Want to prevent Biblical brain drain? Read, read, read and then study,study,study.

Robert Parlante

July 1, 2014