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Pastor's library

Discussion in 'Pastoral Ministries' started by Reagan, Jul 24, 2003.

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  1. Reagan

    Reagan New Member

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    Reading on another forum about libraries of pastors has me wondering.

    What size libraries do most pastors (or those who love studying the Bible) have? What about those of you posting on this forum--how many volumes would you estimate you have?

    Are some of you switching to mostly electronic books?
     
    #1 Reagan, Jul 24, 2003
  2. Jamal5000

    Jamal5000 New Member

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    I'm not Pastor, but I do love studying the Bible.

    If I had to roughly estimate, I would say that my library of books, periodicals, and study aids comes out at about 50 (including my Bibles).

    I'm trying to organize my finaces so that I can purchase at least 1 book every month of the year and purchase one extensive book (or book set) at the end of the year.

    Please pray for me on that respect. [​IMG] [​IMG]
     
    #2 Jamal5000, Jul 24, 2003
  3. Trotter

    Trotter <img src =/6412.jpg>

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    Hey! Another Tennesseean! [​IMG] Glad to have you aboard!

    Unfortunately, I am not a pastor (yet! :D ), but I have a passion for studying the Bible. I estimate my library (I use that term very loosely) at around 200 at present time. They ranged from used paperbacks to hardcover, fiction to commentaries, inspirational to technical.

    I am a voracious reader! Luckily, there are several Christian bookstores in town that have either a "bargain Room", a discount shelf, or are just plain cheap. Not that I buy just anything. I have learned to be rather selective over the past few years. [​IMG]

    Incidentally, if any of you are going to be in SE Tennessee anytime, e-mail me and I will give you directions to a great little bookstore. It's called Christian Book Liquidaders. Paperbacks are $2, and hardbacks are $3 (yes, they are new). Reference books are usually $5 and up. You never know just what you will find, but you are almost garanteed to find something you were looking for! :cool:

    In Christ,
    Trotter
     
    #3 Trotter, Jul 24, 2003
  4. j_barner2000

    j_barner2000 Member

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    I have approx 300 books in my technical collection. 100 are computer related, the rest are Bible. In addition I have a pretty good collection of Bible study aids that are computer based. My wife's grand father gave us many of his books before he passed away so I have much good material to use.
     
    #4 j_barner2000, Jul 25, 2003
  5. rlvaughn

    rlvaughn Well-Known Member
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    My library probably contains about 500 or 600 books on the shelves, plus another 100 or so that are in boxes. I used to have them "catalogued," but I got behind and no longer have a list of all the books I own. I would recommend that you keep a record as you buy them - based on my past mistake! Almost all of these books are of a religious nature, although I have a few books on secular history, languages, 'civil' war, and even martial arts. I don't think I own any fiction. The major parts of my library are theology, church history, commentaries and study aids. Besides that, I have a Baptist associations minute book collection of about 500 different associations; a song/hymn/tune book collection of mostly old hymn/tune books and reprints of old ones; and quite a few Baptist periodicals.

    Although I do a lot of research on the internet as well as other computer usage, I guess I'm too "old-fashioned" to switch to electronic books.
     
    #5 rlvaughn, Jul 25, 2003
  6. Reagan

    Reagan New Member

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    Like you I have some in boxes. I have never cataloged my books, but I rarely ever would forget what I have. I might forget, though, where I put volumes that can't fit on the shelves. Of the books you have, what number are commentaries?
     
    #6 Reagan, Jul 25, 2003
  7. Dr. Bob

    Dr. Bob Administrator
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    Have an odd library, since I've taught college as well as pastored.

    General books (mostly history, philosophy), 250
    Bible/Theology and pastoral books, 2500
    Health/Medical (wife is a doctor) 500

    Needless to say, there are a LOT of books all over the house and both our offices! :rolleyes:
     
    #7 Dr. Bob, Jul 25, 2003
  8. go2church

    go2church Active Member
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    200, 250 some where in there. Finances keep this number down, spend a lot of time in used bookstores, online and otherwise.
     
    #8 go2church, Jul 25, 2003
  9. blackbird

    blackbird Active Member

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    A good estimate for me--1000! They're awefully expensive!! And I have no insurance on them--if a fire swept through Blackbird would have to start all over again!!

    A good hardbound---25-30 smackers

    A good paperback--10-15 smackers

    I usually try to buy one good book per month---sometimes none--sometimes more than that--just all depends.

    Blackbird
     
    #9 blackbird, Aug 7, 2003
  10. David Ekstrom

    David Ekstrom New Member

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    I've got about 500 books now. Lost a lot in a flood and "filed in the circular file" a bunch of JRRice and Jack Hyles stuff I used to have.
    I have a record on an excel spreadsheet but haven't kept it up.
     
    #10 David Ekstrom, Aug 12, 2003
  11. Jamal5000

    Jamal5000 New Member

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    1000 Books???
    2500 Books???

    I can't even imagine how I could fit all of that in my house office!

    LOL [​IMG] :eek: [​IMG]
     
    #11 Jamal5000, Aug 13, 2003
  12. Dr. Bob

    Dr. Bob Administrator
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    About 150-200 large hb volumes in a $29 5-shelf book case. 300-400 small and softbound.

    I have 12 bookcases (+some boxes of long-unused books) that circle my bedroom/study in the basement here. 9 large and three small. And a desk and day bed! (Room is 13x15)
     
    #12 Dr. Bob, Aug 13, 2003
  13. Dr. Bob

    Dr. Bob Administrator
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    I feel your pain! Insurance is a lot of $$.

    Insurance rider for $70k of books (on top of home owner and content) is only $70 a year added. (About $10 for each $10k of books, jewelry, computer stuff in home office, etc)

    My insurance on the house et al, then, + property taxes come to less than $500 each per anum. Just have to budget it!

    But had a hail storm come by 4 years ago and the insurance paid for a new roof (ours was 20+ years old and even had to have the under plywood replaced) AND painting the house.

    More than $6500 - we bought the house in 88 and that was almost the EXACT amount of premiums paid back!
     
    #13 Dr. Bob, Aug 13, 2003
  14. Salty

    Salty 20,000 Posts Club
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    I would say I have close to 500 books in my bookcase. Since I used to work at at a radio station, many of my paperbacks came that route.

    Lets add a bit to this discussion. Are there books you have that you would NOT loan out, or even admit you have. Okay, okay, I admit I have a copy of the Book of Mormon and "You can live forever in Paradise on Earth" (JW) Since I have these books, would I still be invited to preach in your church? [​IMG] :confused:
     
    #14 Salty, Aug 13, 2003
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