God-centered resources from the ministry of John Piper

As the bookstore manager, Matt Lund is one of the busiest employees at the conference. I wanted to ask him a few questions, but also take as little of his time as possible, so I promised him all my questions could be answered in a phrase or less (though he waived this right a couple times).

How many titles are here at the conference bookstore this year?

1,155

How many actual volumes are there, not titles but individual books?

21,000

How long did it take to set up?

7 AM to 12 AM. You can do the math. That was with 25 people helping at one point.

What do you expect to be your best-seller?

Non-Piper?

Sure.

Carson's fatherhood book. This is the only place to get it right now, I think.

On the flip side, are there any authors that you continue to stock even though no one ever buys their books?

No.

Obviously the pastors here are interested in substantial content, but they also have to think about how they're going to get these books home. You might say they have to worry about more than one kind of substance. What would you guess is the heaviest book your selling?

Beale and Carson's Commentary on the New Testament Use of the Old Testament, followed by Grudem's Systematic Theology probably. But I haven't actually weighed them.

So I can get a feel for the sorts of books you sell, what would you say are the two most disparate titles that you have here?

The Story of Creation "with exciting felt characters to act out the wonderful story" (the only book in the store designed for your felt needs) and An Old Testament Theology: A Canonical and Thematic Approach by Bruce Waltke. Or maybe the New International Greek Testament Commentary on the Book of Revelation.

I'm going to put you on the spot now. What's one book that you like, but that you would never think of stocking at the Desiring God Pastors Conference Bookstore?

I enjoyed The Stand by Stephen King.

Is it safe to say that most of your customers at conferences are book junkies?

I think that's a safe assumption and I'm thankful to God for it.

Do you feel that it is a moral quandary to be at once both the purveyor of fine literature and the pusher who provides for the habits of inveterate bibliomaniacs?

When you phrase it that way, yes. I feel a little bad that I'm tempting people, but not that bad. Normally I'm pretty happy about my job. I'm going to enjoy hearing someday what God has done through the books that I've gotten into pastors' hands.

What's the most books you've ever seen one person buy?

Maybe 50.

Do you think most of these guys' wives know how many books they're going to be bringing home?

They probably don't know, but I do have a women's section so when the guys get 25 books for themselves, they can also get one for the wife. I do hear the coment many times, "My wife's gonna be upset when I get home."

So when you see a guy coming through the line with a bunch of books for women, do you generally get the sense that he's really excited to buy gifts for his wife, or that he's trying to assuage his conscience after buying so many books for himself?

Honestly, I think he's happy to give good books to his wife.

Thanks for letting me pick your brain. Maybe you could tell us what you like best about your job to finish up.

Sure. I learn the most about God by reading, so I really enjoy that in this job I can help introduce others to a deeper understanding of who God is.