eBooks and the Pastor’s Library

Will this Be A Memory - Share on OviOne of the conversations that I had this past Thanksgiving holiday with a few friends studying in seminary was the idea of the pastor’s library going away – or being greatly diminished – in its current form. A traditional pastor’s office is filled floor to ceiling with commentaries, narratives, resources, and Bibles of countless translations. In some circles, this is probably seen as some metric of validation towards the ability of that pastor to teach (or teach effectively).

With my friend and I standing in front of the Christian resources section of Barnes & Noble this past weekend, I openly stated that this view might be a thing of the past. We might be seeing the last stand of many of the shelves that are noted here. My friend, totally building an impressive library of his own, not only disagreed, but maintained that he’d be the last person purchasing books in order to keep things from going all digital. He admitted that he’s had issues with screens and workflows, and this centers on his perception (as it does my own).

Yet, as I stood/sat there, I wondered. Yes, we have iPads, Nooks, etc. and there’s almost no need to purchase a book at retail given the amount of tools at our disposal to price compare at places such as Amazon – yet, there’s something to be said for that library. That collection of books that commands reflection, contemplation, and usually the kinds of questions that can only be answered when sitting in the midst of just the covers of the mosaic of thought around The Faith.

That being said, the conversation he and I had evolved into not getting rid of all books, but looking for the appropriate context for digital versus print. I wrestle with this often having now an iPad at my use. There are some books (I’ll change term and say collections) that are better in a digital format not because they are contemplative, but because their value is best met when connected to other sources of information. Logos’s library stands out here as an example of what resource material that has a common index and considers that each component is a part of the whole can look like.

Other types of readings might be better left in print. I think about one of the books that I’ve read in the past (The Alchemist). While an excellent book, I don’t read that in the same way that I read The Next Christendom that I’m very comfortable in reading on my iPad. The reflection-like characteristics of The Alchemist in a print mode lends itself better to that type of reading.

Nevertheless, I think some pastors might be better served in investigating and considering ebook readers or tablets*. I’m not sure that keeping the method of how one comes to a reflection or the sources used in making a specific point should sit on a shelf. These links can and should be shared with the community so that discussion around “how” to study also meets the current common question of “what” to study.

In respect to the library, it needs to stay as a place of reflection. But, maybe it needs some better windows (with shades) so that reflection and revelation isn’t anymore held behind a curtain as something mysterious.

*Church Tech Today recently published an article on the current slate of ebook readers and their value to pastors.

Update: Today, Google announced and opened Google Books, a browser-based eBook reading service.

  • Antoine,

    This is a well-balanced piece. Thank you.

  • Amen brother; really appreciate that (and your insights that sparked the writing).

  • Daryl Goard

    I think some people will always want the feel of page turning but i do know a pastor buddy who took his iPad to the pulpit for the first time so i think as we move forward the use of readers will become invaluable to lots of folks including pastors. Good piece my brother.

  • David T. Msimbe

    Greetings in the Powerful name of
    Jesus Christ ,

    It
    is  my  hope  your  well  and   you  continue  better  with  God’s
    work. Also we are together spiritually and freshly. We continue better
    with
    God’s work. 

    I ‘m  pastor David  Thomas  Msimbe and  my  wife  Georgina we  are  Founders & Directors of  a  church  of  Great Vision  Pentecostal and  Ministry  of  People  Shipping  Centre 
    (by  leadership  of the  holly spirit) since  2003  we started  this 
    work  of God  and  now  we  have  Eighteen  years  in  the  ministry , 
    but  now  is  already  registered  by  country  laws.

    Our registration number is so. 14120. Also we have no permanent place
    for worshiping God.  We have some place we  pay  for  every month.

    The  purpose  of  this  letter  to  you  servant
    of  God   is  to need  friendship (please  read the  book  of  Malachi  2:7) So  that   to be  have
    benefit 
    together  in
    the 
    body 
    of Christ
    and  God’s  work  continue  forward  means all  we are  unity  in 
    body  of  Christ(1 Corinthians 12:7,12-27) I and My church and I  we
    need  Contacts So
    that we  need  saving  God   with  you  together
    .
    Thank you for your cooperation between you and  our  ministry.

    We 
    expect  you  to  give us  your program and  ways  how to  to do the
    work of God, And  if  possible to  send  kinds  of  spiritually books 
    and  tracts  for  evangelism. Also we need financial support for church 
    and ministry expenses.

    So  that  the work of God  can  continue
    well   and  growth  because I know  our  country  is  peacefully  Greet 
    all  believers in the  name of the  Lord (1 Thess 5:26) first  of  all 
    we  need  your  prayers.

    You are most welcome to Arusha  Tanzania    in East
    Africa
     
    Have a blessed day

    Senior Pastor David Thomas Msimbe

    Founder & Director
     GVPC & MPSC

    P.O Box   13437 Arusha-Tanzania Tel:+255 754 22 84 77       +255 755 56 54 73

       ; +255 787 14 78 33 

    Attached herewith please find the following; *Our Faith

  • David T. Msimbe

    Greetings in the Powerful name of
    Jesus Christ ,

    It
    is  my  hope  your  well  and   you  continue  better  with  God’s
    work. Also we are together spiritually and freshly. We continue better
    with
    God’s work. 

    I ‘m  pastor David  Thomas  Msimbe and  my  wife  Georgina we  are  Founders & Directors of  a  church  of  Great Vision  Pentecostal and  Ministry  of  People  Shipping  Centre 
    (by  leadership  of the  holly spirit) since  2003  we started  this 
    work  of God  and  now  we  have  Eighteen  years  in  the  ministry , 
    but  now  is  already  registered  by  country  laws.

    Our registration number is so. 14120. Also we have no permanent place
    for worshiping God.  We have some place we  pay  for  every month.

    The  purpose  of  this  letter  to  you  servant
    of  God   is  to need  friendship (please  read the  book  of  Malachi  2:7) So  that   to be  have
    benefit 
    together  in
    the 
    body 
    of Christ
    and  God’s  work  continue  forward  means all  we are  unity  in 
    body  of  Christ(1 Corinthians 12:7,12-27) I and My church and I  we
    need  Contacts So
    that we  need  saving  God   with  you  together
    .
    Thank you for your cooperation between you and  our  ministry.

    We 
    expect  you  to  give us  your program and  ways  how to  to do the
    work of God, And  if  possible to  send  kinds  of  spiritually books 
    and  tracts  for  evangelism. Also we need financial support for church 
    and ministry expenses.

    So  that  the work of God  can  continue
    well   and  growth  because I know  our  country  is  peacefully  Greet 
    all  believers in the  name of the  Lord (1 Thess 5:26) first  of  all 
    we  need  your  prayers.

    You are most welcome to Arusha  Tanzania    in East
    Africa
     
    Have a blessed day

    Senior Pastor David Thomas Msimbe

    Founder & Director
     GVPC & MPSC

    P.O Box   13437 Arusha-Tanzania Tel:+255 754 22 84 77       +255 755 56 54 73

       ; +255 787 14 78 33 

    Attached herewith please find the following; *Our Faith