The calling of a pastor is a great responsibility, one that must be taken seriously and soberly. James 3:1 instructs us that the teacher will receive a greater judgment. Knowing we will give account for our words, which speaks of all we teach and counsel in our daily contact with those whom God places under our care; we must be diligent to teach clearly the word of God without compromise, respect of persons or for personal gain. At the same time we must be wise, loving, and caring to the needs of the whole flock.

In 2 Timothy 2:24-26 we are admonished to teach with forbearance and endure difficult situations and people. We are to instruct in meekness even those who are opponents, trusting God may grant them repentance leading then to the knowledge of the truth; and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil who has held them captive. God commands us to feed the flock what He reveals in his word not what they want to hear to make them feel good or to tickle their ears. 2 Tim 4:2-5 gives a solemn exhortation to preach the word; be instant in season, out of season, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned to fables. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

In Acts 20:28f Paul warns the overseers to feed the flock of God that God has purchased with His own blood and called you to watch over them for grievous wolves will enter not sparing the flock. An overseer is a picture of the watchman in the Old Testament who was to keep a watchful eye over the flock and feed them so they will not go astray, grazing in fields that will poison them and to warn them when they see the false prophets roaring like a lion to devour them.

In John 21:15-17 Peter is instructed to feed the lambs and to feed the sheep; verse 15 - feed is the Greek word bosko & in verse 16 the word feed is poimaino. Bosko, to feed- tend while grazing, metaphor of a teacher meaning to instruct; distinguished from, poimaino verse 16, which implies the whole office of the shepherd as guiding, guarding, caring for the flock as well as leading it to nourishment. Note also in John 21:15-17 he mentions first, feed lambs, and then in verse 16, feed my sheep, showing God cares for both the young and the old...both need feeding and guarding. This is a perfect picture of the responsibility of the true shepherd that tended his flock in the hills of Israel.

1 Pet 5:1-2 Feed the flock and take the oversight, meaning to examine the state of affairs, to look after them so they won’t wander out of God’s will. He admonishes the shepherd to do this not as a heavy yoke that forces but with joy in the calling to shepherd; not for hire like a hireling who is motivated for financial gain. See also John 10:1-12 where Jesus warns the hireling shepherd.

1 Pet. 5:3 says neither as lords over God's heritage, Greek kleros, where we get the English clergy. The religious system has tried to give this term, clergy, exclusively to the ministry. In reality, it belongs to the Christian...we are God's 'kleros' meaning heritage. The pastor's responsibility is to be an example in leading people to follow the example of Jesus. See 1 Pet 2:21-23; also 1 Tim 4:12 where Paul instructs Timothy to be an example to the believers and he gives six characteristics a pastor should exemplify.

Knowing the pastor has to feed the flock and recognizing the great need of being fed yourself, I have prepared a list of helpful books for you to consider so you will have something of substance for your own edification and inspiration. Hopefully, they will assist you in your preparation to teach the flock God has set you over. Remember, books alone are not the pastor’s source of revelation but only a reference you can use to search the scripture daily like the Bereans in Acts 17:10-12, trusting the comments can encourage you in the faith and increase your zeal for expounding truth without compromise.

God is the only one who can give revelation to the sincere seeking heart. It is of the utmost importance that you do not fall into the temptation of allowing these books to become your only source. The pastor’s study is not a substitute for prayer and a personal relationship with our Lord. You will recall in Acts 6:1-4, as the church grew, they realized the leadership’s responsibility was not serving the tables but rather giving themselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word. This does not mean to stand aloof from the people, but neither are you to indulge in every activity which would cause you to be ill prepared. There is nothing more disconcerting than to have nothing to teach and having to 'wing' it. Ask God to open your eyes and teach you what he wants the people to know.

Prov 2:1-9 Let this passage be your heart’s cry for knowledge, understanding and wisdom - to understand righteousness, judgment, and equity; yea, every good path. Then by God's grace, wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to you soul. It will lodge into hearts of hungry hearers and transform lives into the likeness of Jesus who has called us unto His eternal glory.

Books are costly, therefore they should be purchased with at least some forethought as to who wrote the book and some knowledge of the content concerning moral and spiritual value to the Christian faith. This will safeguard against wasting money over which God has given you stewardship. This listing will help you buy with some judicial guidance as to what is of lasting value.

Following is a listing of books that also recommend and comment on various commentaries and Christian books.

Dr. Wilbur M. Smith - See information exclusively on Dr. Smith

Charles H. Spurgeon COMMENTING ON COMMENTARIES: A REFERENCE GUIDE TO BUYING THE BEST BOOKS Newly updated edition which includes: “A Classic Bible Study Library for Today” by Wilbur Smith, W.W. Wiersbe, C. Barber and others. This is unique in that it rates the books with an asterisk* to let you know if it is profitable for your library. Also there are notes and comments that will give you some sense of the author’s credentials and if the commentary is of any use to the buyer. For example, on STUDIES IN GENESIS, 2 VOLUMES, by Robert Candelish, Spurgeon comments, "We venture to characterize this as THE work upon Genesis, so far as lectures can make up an exposition; we have greatly profited by its perusal. It should be in every biblical library".

Cyril Barber MINISTER'S LIBRARY VOLUME 1 Each entry in The Minister's Library lists briefly the author, title, publisher, date, synopsis, and Dewey Decimal Classification. Cyril Barber evaluates strengths and weaknesses of both current and older books and has designated with an asterisk those books especially pertinent for the evangelical pastor. This is very helpful. The books and authors are listed with some comment as to their value. He has clearly made it easy to choose the conservative position by using an * to mark those works that are worthy of a pastor’s investment and a dagger symbol to identify those written from a "liberal" viewpoint.

Cyril J. Barber Best Books for Your Bible Study Library Building a personal Bible study library is challenging because of the volume of books on the market today, many of which are of no value. This will help you focus on the best according to the author’s view.

Cyril J. Barber. An Introduction To Theological Research: A Guide for College and Seminary Students This volume has its origin in a course the author prepared while he was librarian at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. That course, entitled "Theological Research Methods," was designed to help master of arts and master of theology students gain bibliographical control over the whole range of theological literature while they prepared to investigate a selected topic for a graduate level thesis.

David W. Brookman. Basic Books for the Minister's Library

Robert B. Downs and Clara D. Keller. How to Do Library Research This will help anyone who wants to know where to find what in a library.

Elgin S. Moyer. The pastor and his library Chapters include: "Importance of the Library", "An Ordered Library", "Classifying", "Cataloging", "Subject Headings"- different from cataloging by authors, this helps put material in subject classification. Very helpful. "Pamphlet and Clipping File", "Care and Repair of Books", "Book Store and Supply Houses"- at least ten pages of used books stores.

Now let me list some book stores where you can find these books as well as the books included in the recommendation of these books.

See our link to Christian Book Distributors under links.

Rare Christian Books Jack Morrison 19275 Highway 28 Dixon, MO 65459 Phone (573) 336-7316		Rare Christian Books sells new and used out of print books. Excellent site for those who are looking for good books that are not full of todays fluff and psychobabble.
		www.abebooks.com - This site hosts booksellers from all over the country. If you are looking for a book that is hard to find or even new, search by name or author and it will find various booksellers with the book in their inventory. The only downside is if you are looking for multiple books and the same seller doesn’t have them you will have to buy from several different sellers and pay the bill and postage separately.
Cornerstone books		www.cornerstonebooks.org - They offer a monthly book catalog posted on their site.Each list contains regular offerings of theology and Biblical studies. Monthly, they post several hundred books with a topical focus and many miscellaneous books. If you are looking for other titles, please send an e-mail providing author and title, and they will check to see if they have what you want. You can also write or phone. The mailing address and phone numbers are on the main page.
		Looking for some Christian Resource or Music? Christianbook.com has serveral Christian and Homeschool items. They now have and now E-Books
		Amazon.com is a great resource to find many out of print books and videos. To make it easier you can use the link to the right to search for products.