Hi Everyone,
Our library has been on a rocky road for a while. However, with our new pastor, things have certainly improved.
That being said, recently I was told that since library books don't save souls, and that's what church is really about, there is no need for inclusion in our budget. that our church's money needs to be spent on other programs.
Hmmm... I know that Lee Strobel's book CASE FOR CHRIST certainly makes a powerful statement about why an atheist became a Christian.
My question is, can anyone out there recommend other titles that can be used to bring a skeptic to salvation?
I'd like to have a list of titles before our next board meeting in two weeks.
Thanks so much,
Linda
Replies
I LOVE IT!Just this week, (when I decided to start this campaign) I read the same Blackburn article you did. I have three excerpts printed on yellow card stock and posted on my library bulletin board!
Josh McDowell books are good
I have a number of Josh McDowell's books. Thanks for the reminder. Bless you!
Don't forget children's books. The one that comes to mind right now is The Prayer That Makes God Smile by Stormy Omartian. Another one is How Do I Become a Christian? by Muriel Blackwell.
Good suggestion. I have a number of books by Stormy Omartian, but no children's works by her.
When I asked my brother of his library recommendations, his top choice is "More than a Carpenter" , by Josh McDowell. Why? My brother was engaged in a deep spiritual battle to either live for Christ or not. Reading that book changed his life & brought him to a final conclusion in committing fully to Christ. This was in his teenage years.
My brother now pastors a church in which he with others planted under the umbrella of our denominational conference. He also is instrumental in bringing others to Christ. I say this as an encouragement to you and others.
I know of others who became Christians through reading and especially those whose Christian faith was deepened. Christ reaches us through so many different ways, including reading.
I agree with other comments made. Jesus quoted writings! He quoted Scripture. And all those stories Jesus told us -- what a creative God!
I'd love for an update after the Board Meeting. Can you let us know when the board meeting is so we can pray for you and the board members?
Well said, I've got that one, too. I would like to use your testimony when I present my "lesson" on the value of a church library. Bless you!
Ravi Zacharis books and other media are powerful too.
So, Sunday School curriculum (books) don't lead people to Christ? *sigh*. You could use the argument that the Bible is a book in the library.
Agreed: Strobel, C.S. Lewis, and other apologists http://www.apologetics315.com/2009/06/100-christian-apologists.html
plus any of the bible commentaries like Barclay; Bible study reference books; Christian Fiction (The Shack) and non-fiction including Lucado, Swindoll, Chip Ingram, Charles Stanley and many newer contemporaries; biographies like "Heaven is for Real", etc. The library is there to educate and enrich believers and non-believers. I don't have a budget, so I just either use my own funds or rely on church fundraisers to supplement. Technically, it should belong under the education budget.
Tell them the church library is not only a space, but a ministry, not a "program"! And perhaps encourage them to pray about it.
Actually, I have Church Library Ministry logos posted all over the room. They still don't get it even though I first learned about CLM through our Southern Baptist Convention website, which endorses it. :) You have given me some good information, and thank you!
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