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PROTESTANT PASTORS REVEAL BIBLE PREFERENCES
[From Pastors Weekly Briefing, Focus on the Family]

A survey of Protestant ministers finds the New International
Version translation of the Bible is the most popular among pastors
(31%). The poll, conducted by Ellison Research, found that other
personal favorites included the King James Version (23%), New Revised
Standard Version (14%), New King James Version (13%) and New American
Standard Version (10%).
According to the research, ministers tend to select their favorite
versions based on perceived accuracy (40%), readability (16%),
language style (14%) and solid reputation (13%).
Pastors of small churches, those over 60 years of age and those in
the South lean toward the King James Version. The New International
Version is strongest in the Midwest and West, while the New Revised
Standard Version scored best in the Northeast.
When asked which Bible versions they would be least likely to
recommend to their congregations, they listed the Living Bible (26%),
Today's New International Version (18%), The Message (15%) and the
King James Version (15%).

NOTE: I would concur with this list wholeheartedly. I prefer the NIV because I think it is accurate and is the easiest to read and understand. I also do not recommend paraphrases to the congregation such as the Living Bible or The Message for Bible study or Sunday morning worship. These paraphrases are good when used in concert with a good translation (such as the NIV), but offer too much bias and writer-interpretation to gain an accurate understanding of passages.