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Resources of Blessing

The ministry of a church library

Church libraries can be a real blessingto a church's congregation. The service ministry of providing quality reading, audio, and visual resources for families greatly strengthens the spiritual emphasis of the church.

Although the library may be stocked and operated by Women's Ministries, it is important to coordinate the library's contents with the pastor. This minimizes any duplication of services and ensures materials are doctrinally sound.

Prepare a preliminary list of the kinds of resources you want for the library. Be as specific as possible, and then post the list in a prominent location for all to see. Not everything that is submitted will be appropriate for use. So be discreet in declining materials that do not meet your criteria.

To help generate interest, recruit women in your congregation who enjoy Christian literature and writing. Encourage them to read current books and prepare book reviews. Then in a newsletter, bulletin, or promotional materials for the library, print one or two book reviews. This is a great way to keep the ministry of the library in front of the congregation.

When considering staff for the library, seek quality help. Volunteers should have a sincere burden for people and the library ministry, and ideally should enjoy reading, be organized, dependable, and faithful.

"Fix your thoughts on what is true and honorable and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise" (Philippians 4:8, New Living Translation). A quality church library is an excellent vehicle to help church members put this Scripture into practice.