Probably the most basic tool for ministry — the preacher’s Bible. What to use in the pulpit, teaching, personal devotion, visiting and outdoor weddings? Personally I have a study Bible for my own reading, a pocket New Testament for visiting and a Nelson Signature Series Bible for preaching. It is the New King James Version, which might not be the best translation, but after looking for (and stressing over) the perfect translation I realized there is no such animal. I chose this for what may seem very superficial criteria, that is it looks and feels so nice. The leather is very soft and it is a very nice size.

After a few months of preaching, using different Bibles to do so I came to the conclusion that the size of a Bible (should be comfortably held with one hand) the appearance of the text (legible print, simple layout) and the absence of distracting study notes were as important as anything else in choosing a regular pulpit Bible. I prefer other translations for study (especially the ESV) but the New King James sounds familiar to folks who grew up with the KJV but is understandable to those who didn’t.

So what’s your preferred translation? For fellow ministers, what is your primary pulpit Bible and why?