A common concern among new preachers is the expense of good study resources. I generally counsel new preachers to think of a preaching library as an investment. Like building a good workshop, it may take a few years to gather your tools together, and even longer before you really understand which ones you can’t live without. Even so, a library doesn’t have to be expensive. Some truly excellent study resources are available for modest amounts or for free on the Internet. Many new preachers haunt charity book sales and used book websites looking for bargains. Your local public or college library (look under the BS section for Library of Congress systems or the 220 section in Dewey systems) will have some resources on the circulating shelves and in the reference room.
If there is a theological seminary near you,
you will be welcome to use the resources in the library and nose around the
bookstore. In a single afternoon spent
perusing the reserved books in a decent theological library you can become
better acquainted with the kinds of commentaries, dictionaries, encyclopedias,
and bibles available. There are almost
two hundred and fifty theological schools accredited by the Association of
Theological Schools in the
Many churches have libraries that are vital
study centers. In other churches, the
libraries, established in the 1950s by a benevolent and well-read soul, are now
dusty, underused, and out of date. The
needs of a new preaching ministry can revitalize these libraries. Some of the resources listed here, like
commentary series, multi-volume Bible encyclopedias, or software titles, are
too expensive for individuals to buy.
Make a case to your church that they can become invaluable resources for
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Preacher's Toolbox