SOUL TREKKING WITH  PASTOR STEVE
	BOOKS AND ARTICLES  BY  PASTOR STEVE Can't get enough of my ramblings here on the web site?  Well, here are some other places where my thoughts and research have been published and, in the case of my books, information on how you can obtain copies for yourself or a friend.

Page last updated 12-1-2009. 

Books for Growing Christians

Did God Really Say THAT?

Did God Really Say THAT? 12 Tips on How To Read, Understand, and Apply the Bible

(Includes discussion questions for individual or group use.)

(For more information, click on the book!)

How To Be Single, Sexual, Spiritual, and Sane…

How To Be Single, Sexual, Spiritual, and Sane

A Different Christian Perspective

(For more information, click on the book!)

Wrestling With God: 
A No-Holds-Barred Approach 
To Knowing God 

(Some copies still available at amazon.com!!)

"Me - wrestle with God?"

If you've ever prayed long and hard over a certain request,

or questioned God because of the way he answered,

or doubted your faith, or struggled through a time of spiritual dryness, 

or puzzled over the discrepancies between what you've heard at church

and how your life really is ...then you've wrestled with God, 

whether or not you were aware of it at the time.

Wrestling With God is part how-to manual, part Bible study, and part exercise in theology, written in a fun and interesting manner with the goal of opening your eyes to God's desire for a vital and real relationship with you. 

You'll see how wrestling with God ensures that you develop that relationship, holding back nothing, keeping no secrets, and strengthening your faith. 

Learn how to hold onto God through troubling circumstances
and difficult questions. 

Discover how to find answers to your prayers and questions - and what to do when God simply pins you to the mat, totally flooring you by his power and mysterious grace.

Like Jacob who wrestled with God and was blessed, you are part of God's wrestling team - and he wants to bless you.  Wrestling With God is a trustworthy guide to the rules and rewards of this spiritual "contact sport."

(Includes discussion questions for individual or group use.)

“Wrestling” is available

in Portuguese!

Pastoral Helps

Help For The Small-Church Pastor

over 11,334 copies of this CLASSIC have been sold!

Look on amazon.com for some nice reviews!

Finally...a practical handbook for small-church leaders.

Churches of less than 150 remain the rule rather than the exception in American Christianity. However, seminaries don't equip their students in every way that's necessary to effectively lead smaller congregations - despite the fact that most seminary graduates will become small-church pastors.

Help For The Small-Church Pastor offers pastors of small churches the guidance and encouragement they need. In this common sense book, Steve Bierly draws from his years in ministry to show what makes smaller congregations tick.

Help For The Small-Church Pastor provides practical insights on uniquely "small-church" issues, such as -

• The characteristics of small churches
• How to work effectively as an "insider" within the small church
• How God is at work in powerful ways in smaller assemblies
• How to motivate your church toward positive change and true growth
• How to invest your own time and energy in the right directions
• How your church can reach out to the community in ways that are practical and productive

"There are many ways for even the smallest congregation to be true to the church's calling," says Steve Bierly. Help For The Small-Church Pastor will steer you through the strengths and weaknesses of your small church to unearth its true riches.

Help For The Small Church Pastor
is also available in the Korean language!

(Check with Zondervan Publishing)

How To Thrive As A Small-Church Pastor

Over 9,279 copies of this TIMELESS book have been sold!

Look on amazon.com for some nice reviews!

(Click on book cover or title to order from Amazon.com)

HOW TO BURN BRIGHTLY

WITHOUT BURNING OUT

Pastoring a small church is no small job. It can be physically, emotionally, and spiritually exhausting. Read this book for a relief...and a turning point.

Steve R. Bierly offers the seasoned reassurance of one who has been in the trenches of small-church pastors. He understands your unique needs and problems not just as a pastor, but as a person. And he shows that, by God's grace, you can fulfill your calling and thrive in the face of its challenges.

With humor and fatherly wisdom, Bierly helps you reframe your perspectives on:

• God
• Your ministry
• Your relationships
• Your personal needs...and more

Drawing on years of experience, he offers assurance that you're not alone, a fresh outlook on the successes of your ministry, and an upbeat, practical approach to spiritual, emotional, and physical well-being.

How To Thrive As A Small-Church Pastor will help you face realistically the rigors of your vocation...and reclaim your first love of ministry.

How To Thrive As A Small-Church Pastor is also available in German through the Kirche Mit Vision publishing company in German as a joint effort between Steve and co-author Johannes Stockmayer. The German title is "Hilfe, ich bin Pastor einer kleinen Gemeinde." 

Check with Zondervan to order!

How To Thrive As A Small Church Pastor is also available in Korean.

Check with Zondervan to order!

Coming in Spring 2010!

How To Thrive As A Small Church Pastor in Chinese!

Check with Zondervan to order!

Building Church Leaders:

Your Complete Guide To Leadership Training

(Steve Bierly, contributor), (Leadership Journal, Christianity Today, Inc., 1998).

Building Church Leaders will help you develop a dynamic team of leaders who can think strategically and biblically about the mission of your church. This resource is an innovative approach to leadership training: Just select the training handout you feel meets the needs of your leaders, photocopy it, and then lead a 20-minute discussion at the beginning of your board or committee meeting. Or use several handouts for a longer session at a retreat.

Selections include those written by Bill Hybels, Lyle E. Schaller, W. Charles Arn, Steve Bierly, Fred Smith, Sr., Craig Brian Larson, Herb Miller, Gary Fenton, and Ken Warren.

Order at: 1-800-806-7798, mention product code LNSET.

Popeye Books and Contributions

STRONGER THAN SPINACH: THE SECRET APPEAL

OF THE FAMOUS STUDIOS POPEYE CARTOONS

By Steve R. Bierly

Until now, the Famous Studios Popeye cartoons have never really been given a fair treatment by animation writers and historians. Authors have concentrated on the earliest Popeye cartoons from Fleischer Studios because those films broke new ground in technique and humor, and on the made-for-TV cartoons of the 1960s because many of them are so awful. The Famous Studios cartoons are often just mentioned in passing.

But from 1942-1957, Famous Studios, a division of Paramount Pictures, produced Popeye cartoons that have a fan-following to this day. These cartoons were shown on TV during the Baby Boomers' formative years and continue to be shown on cable and satellite channels today. In fact, they are the longest running cartoons in television syndication.

Many of the kids through the years who grew up watching the Famous Studios films have found that the films grew up with them because these cartoons were originally made to entertain adult movie-going audiences, before they were sold to TV and broadcast as kiddie fare. So, they contain adult themes, humor that uses verbal and visual double entendres, and mature sensibilities. They also, of course, are full of slapstick and are just plain fun. So, unlike some childhood joys that are left behind, the pleasure of the Famous Studios Popeye cartoons gets even stronger the older one gets.

The Secret Appeal of the Famous Studios Popeye Cartoons explores the reasons for that. It sets Famous Studios in historical context and explains why the creators working there made the films they did. Then the changes the creators made to the three main characters - Popeye, Olive Oyl, and Bluto are examined, along with Famous Studios' emphasis on sex and romance, tension and suspense and violence, and moral confusion - it's often hard to know who to root for in the cartoons, Popeye or Bluto! Amid the puns and the slapstick, there was a lot more going on. And it's the "more" which makes the films endlessly fascinating.

Eleven cartoons are explained in depth, and then all the Famous Studios cartoons are scanned to uncover the magic elements they each contain. The The Secret Appeal of the Famous Studios Popeye Cartoons ends by exploring the ways the films could have influenced other cartoons, comic books, and even feature length movies.

The Secret Appeal of the Famous Studios Popeye Cartoons is a must read for anyone who has ever enjoyed Popeye cartoons and/or is interested in the character's history. And, perhaps even more importantly, it's a lot of fun, too!

Published by:

BEAR MANOR MEDIA

Available at amazon.com

Pre-release comments include:

“an interesting read”

“lots of fun”

“sexy, nostalgic, funny, and even shocking at times”

“reminds me of the days when Popeye cartoons were beamed

into our living rooms as we were growing up and the ways they

used to make us feel”

“great pictures!”

Contributed “The Friendly Voice Of Popeye”, pgs. 7-13 to:

He Am What He Am!

Jack Mercer: The Voice Of Popeye

by Fred M. Grandinetti

Fred introduces my section of his book with the following comment:

Steve R. Bierly has a unique relationship with Popeye the Sailor. As a pastor he often uses references to Popeye cartoons in his sermons and teachings with students. He grew up in Upstate New York, went to a seminary in New England and now pastors a church in Hull, Iowa. This book would not be complete without hearing from one of Popeye’s fans and how Jack Mercer’s vocal characterization of the mighty mariner made an impact on his childhood.

Thanks, Fred!

Available at www.bearmanormedia.com

Contributer to

Popeye: An Illustrated Cultural History

by Fred Grandinetti

---

---

The breadth of Grandinetti's knowledge about Popeye is truly astounding!  This is good news for readers because it means that his book covers all things Popeye.  From comic strips to animated cartoons to collectibles to live action to sound recordings to theme park appearances and more, it's all here.  Those wanting to learn about the sailor, or find answers to trivia questions, or rekindle childhood memories and finally solve mysteries like "What was the name of that cartoon where Bluto was a bullfighter?" will find what they need.  Even long-time, diehard fans like me will learn new things.  And the illustrations are wonderful!  There are sample strips from all the creators of the comics over the years, stills from the animated films, theatrical posters, sheet music, ads, model sheets and more.  Fred includes episode guides, sample scripts, colorizations gaffs, character profiles, mini-bios of the voice artists, a section on the censored Popeye cartoons, and information about The International Popeye Fanclub written by club co-founder Mike Brooks.  In the interest of full disclosure, I should also say that there are two pages about me and my views toward Popeye and the Famous Studios cartoons, but even without those pages I would recommend the book to anyone wanting an education in Popeye and those curious as to why, 75 years after his creation, people all over the world still talk about the one-eyed, pipe tooting hero.  Not everyone will agree with all of Grandinetti's opinions about the various incarnations of Popeye, but Fred tries to be fair and will get you to think.  And fans interacting with other fans' thoughts is what fandom is all about.  Bottom line: This is a good job from perhaps the number one Popeye fan in the world.

Order from McFarland & Company or amazon.com.

McFarland order line: 1-800-253-2187

McFarland & Company, Inc. Publishers
Box 611
Jefferson, North Carolina 28640
Tel. 336-246-4460         FAX 336-246-5018

PUBLISHED ARTICLES

  I have contributed monthly editorials to The Sunday School Guide of the Reformed Church In America since 2004. Articles titles are:

Sept 2004 - America, American Idol, And American Ideals

October 2004 - Talking to ourselves in Athens

November 2004 - Popeye The Role Model

December 2004 - Fear Factor

January 2005 - Reflections on The Death of Superman

February 2005 - Must We Try To Find The Will Of God?

March 2005 - Jesus the American Idol

April 2005 - The Purpose of Tidal Waves

May 2005 - Aging Hurts And That's Good

June 2005 - My Favorite Non-Christians

July 2005 - Back To Egypt

August 2005 - I Love This Game!

September 2005 - War Of The Worlds

October 2005 - Harry Potter And The Mesmerized Minister

November 2005 - My Grief Observed Part 1

December 2005 - The Blame Game

January 2006 - The Synod of Bishops Versus The World

February 2006 - Hello, I'm Johnny Cash

March 2006 - The God Who Isn't There

April 2006 - Do The Muslims Have Something To Teach Us?

May 2006 - The Gospel According to Red Green

June 2006 - My Grief Observed Part 2

July 2006 - Save Us From Our Blessings

August 2006 - Who's Afraid of the Big Bad DaVinci Code

September 2006 - On The One Hand..., On The Other Hand...

October 2006 - Why Sports Movies Work For Me

November 2006 - American Jeopardy

December 2006 - Give Us Now Our Daily Bread

January 2007 An Exercise in Misapplying the Bible

February 2007 - For Or Against?

March 2007 - Reflections on M*A*S*H

April 2007 - A Study In Humanity And American Beliefs

May 2007 - What Does God Think of Sex?

June 2007 - The Problem of Pleasure

July 2007 - It's Time To Re-Visit Demon Possession

August 2007 - Out of Kansas And Into The World

September - Cheating - A World Of No Cover-Ups

October 2007 - God Is Not Silent

November 2007 - My Grief Observed Part 3

December 2007 - Reflections on a Freezer Bag Full of Dust

January 2008 - Kung Fu And Christ

February 2008 - Of Writing and the Christian Life

March 2008 - How Very Sad

April 2008 - Ethnic Religion

May 2008 -A Look At Eastern Orthodoxy Part One

June 2008 - A Look At Eastern Orthodoxy Part Two

July 2008 - A Look At Eastern Orthodoxy Parts Three and Four

August 2008 - Confused In Narnia

September 2008 - Pundits, Preachers, and Prophets

October 2008 - Comic Books Aren't Just Kids Stuff

Published in 2008 and 2009 Why I Believe, Parts One - Ten

Published in 2009:

- A New Parable Of The Talents

- Miss California And The Mistake

- Uncivil Discourse

- I’m Sorrowful About Preachers And Christian Leaders

- Help My Brain And My Heart Are Going To Explode

- The Jungle Book

I also wrote a 12 week Bible Study series about Jesus and Job for the Sunday School Guide that was published in Spring of 2008.

Other published articles include:

"Evangelism in Bloom: The Evangelistic TULIP," The Church Herald, September 2004.

"A Newcomer's 'Conscience'," The Church Herald, February 2003.

"Finding Excellence in a Small Church," The Pentecostal Leader, November/December 2002.

"Guilt, Grace, And Giving," The Church Herald, November 2001.

"Discouragement In Small-Church Ministry," Enrichment,  Fall 2001.

"God's Little Acre: The Joys And Struggles Of Small-Church Membership Congregations," The Church Herald, April 2000.

"Help For The Small Church Pastor," The Five Stones, Spring 1999. (Adapted from my first book.)

3 Book Reviews For "Growing Edge," Leadership, Winter 1999.

"Finding Excellence In A Small Church," Leadership, Summer 1998.

"Four Steps To Better Health," Vital Ministry, May/June 1998. (Adapted from my second book.)

"Evangelism For The Ordinary Church," Leadership, Summer 1997.

"Sparring Over Worship," Leadership, Winter 1997.

"Navigating The Winters Of Our Discontent," Net Results, Feb. 1996.

"Lonely In A Close-Knit Church," Leadership, Spring 1995.

"Should We Tear Down The Fence?," Pioneer Christian Monthly, October 1994.

"How To Grow A Small Church Without Losing Your Mind," Net Results, March 1994. (Reprinted in Spring 1994 issue of Leadership as "Can A Pro-Growth Pastor Love A No-Growth Church?")

"Inside The Pastor's Study," The Church Herald, August, 1993.

I also regularly write brief articles for our town’s newspaper in rotation with other local pastors in the Pastor’s Column. The following is a current article in the Fall of 2009.

I was disappointed when I read a recent book by a Christian author. The promotional blurb had said that the book dealt with the author's attempt to re-edit his life in order to make a movie about it. I took that to mean that he was going to re-examine his life story and look at things in a new way, deciding what was important and what to emphasize and what not to. And the blurb led me to believe that this book would help me look at my life the same way, too. But, instead, the book was about the author deciding right now to change his life by getting more involved in projects he deemed worthwhile. In fact, the entire book could be summed up in one sentence: Find some good projects to be involved with. This wasn't what I was expecting.

So, instead, I'm challenging myself to do what I initially thought the book was going to help me do. And I'd like to challenge you to do it, too. Let's look back over our lives and see where the hand of God was moving, even in the little things. Let's look at the tragedies in our lives and rejoice that God saw us through them. Let's repent of old sins that haunt us. Let's see that God was able to work all things for the good in our lives. Let's thank him for people who were special to us and who taught us life's lessons. Let's ask him to show us what things in our past are important and which we should just ditch. And let's realize that his view may not be the same as ours. And let's forgive those who have sinned against us instead of holding grudges. Let's let the Lord heal past hurts with his love and acceptance.

Let's re-edit our lives so that the story we keep telling ourselves is true. Let's re-edit the movies of our lives that replay again and again on the screens of our minds and our hearts. And let's make sure that God is the main editor and that we are just the assistant editors.

And I have contributed my pastoral viewpoint continuously (1999-2009) to the Official Popeye Fanclub News-Magazine in a column entitled

“Popeye In The Pulpit” (see below for ’99-’03).

"Time Marches Backwards! - Part 2, Official Popeye Fanclub News-Magazine, Spring 2003.

"Time Marches Backwards! - Part 1, Official Popeye Fanclub News-Magazine, Winter 2002.

"The Dark Side Of Spinach," Official Popeye Fanclub News-Magazine, Fall 2002.

"I Yam Popeye The Sailor Man - Part 2," Official Popeye Fanclub News-Magazine, Summer 2002.

"I Yam Popeye The Sailor Man - Part 1," Official Popeye Fanclub News-Magazine, Spring 2002.

"Deck The Hulls", Official Popeye Fanclub News-Magazine, Winter 2001.

"A Child Shall Lead (And Occasionally Bleed) Him," Official Popeye Fanclub News-Magazine, Fall 2001.

"Sir Popeye," Official Popeye Fanclub News-Magazine, Summer 2001.

"'I Yam What I Yam' And The Great 'I Am'," Official Popeye Fanclub News-Magazine, Spring 2001.

"Of Popeye, Political Correctness, Prof. Traver, And Poetic Justice," Official Popeye Fanclub News-Magazine, Winter 2000.

"The Long Shadow Of Segar," Official Popeye Fanclub News-Magazine, Fall 2000.

"Popeye In The Pulpit - Part 6," Official Popeye Fanclub News-Magazine, Summer 2000.

"Popeye In The Pulpit - Part 5," Official Popeye Fanclub News-Magazine, Spring 2000.

"Popeye In The Pulpit - Part 4," Official Popeye Fanclub News-Magazine, Winter 1999.

"Popeye In The Pulpit - Part 3," Official Popeye Fanclub News-Magazine, Fall 1999.

"Popeye In The Pulpit - Part 2," Official Popeye Fanclub News-Magazine, Summer 1999.

"Ahoy, Members!!" Official Popeye Fanclub News-Magazine, Summer 1999.

"A Fair Assessment Of The Ocean Comic," Official Popeye Fanclub News-Magazine, Summer 1999.

"Popeye In The Pulpit- Part 1," Official Popeye Fanclub News-Magazine, Spring 1999.

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This page was created using Corel Word Perfect Suite 8 and Netscape Navigator Composer and Microsoft Word. All characters and images are legal properties of their respective companies and are used here without permission for entertainment, review, and informational purposes only. All other material is copyright 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009 by Steve R. Bierly.