SOUL TREKKING
WITH 
PASTOR STEVE
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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 on 12-08-2004. 
See What's New for details.

 
 
 
Looking for something to read during the long, cold winter?  Besides my Popeye pages, of course!  Try:

"Wrestling With God: 
A No-Holds-Barred Approach 
To Knowing God" 
by Steve Bierly

Cover design: Curt Depenhorst
Cover photo: Jean-Noel Reichel / Getty Images




From The Back Cover:
 
 

"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 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.)


Available at your local bookstore or at:

 Amazon  Books

Try it!  You will like it!


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ARTICLES  BOOKS

 
 
 
 
 
 
BOOKS

 
 
 

Cover design: Curt Depenhorst
Cover photo: Jean-Noel Reichel / Getty Images




From The Back Cover:
 
 

"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 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 Leader's Guide and discussion questions for individual study or group work.)

Steve R. Bierly is the pastor of American Reformed Church in Hull, Iowa, where he lives with his wife, Deborah, and two children. 

He is the author of Help for the Small-Church Pastor and How To Thrive As A Small-Church Pastor.

Order Wrestling With God: A No-Holds Barred Approach To Knowing Godfrom Zondervan, Amazon Books, or  Barnes And Noble.

 
 
 

Building Church Leaders: Your Complete Guide To Leadership Training (Steve Bierly, contributor), (Leadership Journal, Christianity Today, Inc., 1998).

FROM THE BACK COVER:

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.


 
 

How To Thrive As A Small-Church Pastor

 FROM THE BACK COVER:

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 (Zondervan, 1998) will help you face realistically the rigors of your vocation...and reclaim your first love of ministry.

Available from:  amazon.com , Barnes & Noble and Zondervan or your local Christian bookstore.
 
 
 
 

Announcing in January 2002:  How To Thrive As A Small-Church Pastor has just
been published in German as a joint effort between Steve and co-author Johannes Stockmayer. The German title is "Hilfe, ich bin Pastor einer kleinen Gemeinde."  The Zondervan publishing company joined forces with the Kirche Mit Vision publishing company in Germany to accomplish this. 

 
 
 
Announcing in November 2002:  How To Thrive As A Small-Church Pastor has just gone to its fifth printing, making 8,500 now in print!!!
 
Announcing in July 2000, 
How To Thrive As A Small Church Pastor is now available in Korean!!!

 
 

Help For The Small-Church Pastor

FROM THE BACK COVER:

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 (Zondervan, 1995) will steer you through the strengths and weaknesses of your small church to unearth its true riches.

Available from:amazon.com , Barnes & Noble and Zondervan or your local Christian bookstore.


Announcing in November 2001:
 Help For The Small Church Pastor
has just gone to its seventh printing, making 11,000 now in print!!!

 
 
 
 

Help For The Small Church Pastor
is also available

in the Korean language!

 
 
 
 

PUBLISHED ARTICLES

 
"Reflections on The Death of Superman," The Sunday School Guide, January 2005, Volume 83, Issue 5, page 49.

"Fear Factor," The Sunday School Guide, December 2004, Volume 83, Issue 4.

"Popeye, The Role Model," The Sunday School Guide, November 2004, Volume 83, Issue 3.

"Talking To Ourselves In Athens," The Sunday School Guide, October 2004, Volume 83, Issue 2.

"America, 'American Idol,' And American Ideals," The Sunday School Guide, September 2004, Volume 83, Issue 1.

"The Evangelistic TULIP," The Church Herald, September 2004.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"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.


 
 
 
SOUL-TREKKING WITH PASTOR STEVE My home page (LOADS FAST!!!) with links to my my Beliefs page, my Bible study page, and current church's page as well as links to my hobby pages: Buffy, Popeye, Olive Oyl, Bluto, and more.
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This page was created using Corel Word Perfect Suite 8 and Netscape Navigator Composer. 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, and 2004 by Steve R. Bierly.