Help for the Small-Church Pastor [Paperback]

Steve R. Bierly (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 14, 1995

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 becomes 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 eleven 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.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

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 becomes 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 eleven 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.

About the Author

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.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan (August 14, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310499518
• ISBN-13: 978-0310499510
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #578,359 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

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.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Encouragement and guidance from one who has "been there"., April 18, 1998

By 

Don White - See all my reviews

This review is from: Help for the Small-Church Pastor (Paperback)

Within _Help for the Small-Church Pastor_ you will find that Steve Bierly seems to have firsthand knowledge of one's church and the true feelings one has about his or her congregation. As a pastor of a small church in the Northeast, Bierly speaks as one who has "been there." He does not offer various recipes for numerical growth. That is not the purpose. It seems his primary task is to encourage the correct perspectives and attitudes for the leader in the small church. One of my favorite quotes from the book is, "To be blunt, the sins of impatience, jealousy, discontent, and walking by sight instead of by faith are behind some of the frustrations that small-church leaders experience. We want what other congregations have and we want it *now*!"

He encourages such ministers to rejoice with even small progress, just as a parent does with a child. Pushing one's own agenda upon the small church, no matter how pure the motives, can result in a backlash of mistrust and resentment. The minister was not called to the church to apply "prepackaged, ready-made answers. Instead," according to Bierly, " the pastor is supposed to work with the family to find solutions that seem reasonable to everyone." The small church has a culture all it's own, and the smart church leader will be dedicated to learning that culture and becoming "one of them," as opposed to an outsider whose only desire is to change things, running over long-held traditions in the process.

Reviewed by Donald W. White, minister of the Lakeview Church of Christ

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Helpful, November 4, 2010

By 

Dr. Terry W. Dorsett "Author of Developing Le... (Barre, Vermont) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Help for the Small-Church Pastor (Paperback)

This book does not provide fad-driven quick fixes. Instead it offers advice on how the pastor can maintain a proper perspective of the advantages and challenges of small church ministry. While the entire book is good, perhaps the most powerful point is the importance of celebrating small steps in the small church. We can't wait until something "big" happens to celebrate. We must celebrate the small things, and the more we celebrate them, the more things worth celebrating start to happen.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Essential reading, June 17, 2008

By 

Book Lover (NC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Help for the Small-Church Pastor (Paperback)

I cannot begin to tell you how much Steve Bierly's books on the topic of being a small-church pastor have meant to me. Again and again, I go back and reread his practical and useful ideas. This is essential reading for small-church pastors who struggle with the unreasonable expectations of their congregation and who need encouragement.