NEW PAGE!

SEASONS      OCCASIONAL SERVICES FOR:   CHURCHES     PASTORS     BISHOPS      +      RENEWING THE CHURCH     ABOUT THE AUTHOR     DONATIONS
 

Renewing the Church

          Parish Renewal begins with the spiritual engagement of the people of God with the God who leads, inspires and guides our lives and our churches.  Therefore Parish Renewal is always a spiritual task.  It can never just be a program, although there are many who would try to sell you on that idea.  Nor is Parish Renewal simply an organizational reordering, although organizational reordering might come out of spiritual renewal.  Nor can Parish Renewal ever derive from introducing a new worship style or music style.  Parish Renewal is always first and foremost spiritual renewal.

          Says Don Abdon of Parish Leadership Seminars, “If Parish Renewal does not center on the spiritual renewal of all of God’s people, then all you’re going to do is move the chairs around.”

          I have spent much of my ministry working Parish Renewal from this starting point and teaching pastors and congregations how to find new direction for their ministries through spiritual renewal and discernment.

          The following links will lead you to books and articles that I have written on Parish Renewal and Discernment.  There is also a link to other articles to consider regarding the place of Worship and Liturgy.

Donations are gratefully received if you find something useful.

 

Books & Videos by Pr. Weitzel That Renew God's People

Renewing God's People Book Series
Renewing God's People is a series of four books that are intended to help in the renewal of churches and individuals by focusing on the primary relationship of those people with God.  The first book in the series, Renewing God's People For God-Led Ministries, analyzes for pastors and leaders how it is that God motivates ministries through the loving and trusting relationship of the people of God with God.  This is a fundamental, must-have book for understanding the dynamics for parish renewal and how it is that renewal must begin with the spiritual renewal of God's people.  The three accompanying volumes are renewal sermons for each of the three years of the lectionary and can be used a devotional reads by the laity.  Paperback and Kindle.

Be Faithful Bible Study & A Day with God
Two books in one!  1. The Be Faithful Bible Study for adults explores the biblical foundations of the10 items in the "Be Faithful" list that is recommended for congregations in Renewing God's People: For God-Led Ministry.  2. A Day with God is a Guided Personal Retreat with Prayers & Reflection for congregational use. This guide offers a way to take a whole parish on retreat without going anywhere.  Paperback and Kindle.

The Story of God: Outlines for Teaching Bible Series
This is a teaching Bible Study in eight 60-70 min. sessions covering the basics of Christianity -- Salvation History from Creation through the Covenant, the Prophets and Christ, including a session on Faith and on using the Bible in positive ways to discern God in the world. The last session ends with a "Prayer of Commitment," thus showing the intention of the study to deepen faith and commitment in the individual Christian. The material is presented in outline form for teaching and is designed to be used by pastors or lay teachers of the Bible. Public domain art is included with the material as visual aid. Instructions for teaching and classroom settings are included in the Introduction.  Paperback and Kindle.

The Story of God: YouTube Video Series
My YouTube Channel has videos of me teaching this 8-session Bible Study.  It was prepared in 2023 for use by the four churches of the Wabash Valley Cooperative Ministry based in Coldwater, Oh.  You are welcome to use these videos to teach this course in your congregation -- no book needed, only the NRSV Bible.  Each sessions is followed by a series of discussion questions that the Pastor or Bible Study leader would use to drive home the points of the video.  Email me from the home page for the discussion questions.


The Rise & Fall of Israel:
Vol. I: The Rise (1-2 Samuel)

Vol. II: The Fall (1-2 Kings)

Two more books in the Outlines for Teaching Bible series for pastors and lay teachers. This is a good follow-up to The Story of God, leading people into deeper study of a significant part of Old Testament history, from the rise of the monarchy to the fall of Israel and Judah.  A Bible Study in two volumes of 16 one-hour sessions each (i.e., equivalent to two semesters).  A companion book of Maps and Art goes with each volume to flesh out the biblical story.  Paperback and Kindle.

The Restoration of Israel (coming in summer 2024)
Another in the Outlines for Teaching Bible series, this Bible Study is a follow-up to The Rise & Fall of Israel.  It will explore the books of Ezra and Nehemiah as they narrate the return of the Jews to Judah from their captivity in Babylon and their efforts to rebuild Jerusalem and the Temple. 14 one-hour sessions with a great deal of art to illustrate.  Paperback and Kindle.

The Story of Angels: The Changing Development of the Angel Narrative in the Bible
Available in a Reader’s Edition (in paragraph form) for individual study and in a Teacher's Edition as part of the Outlines for Teaching Bible series for use in teaching classes. This intriguing study follows the changing narrative regarding Angels (and God for that matter) from the beginning of the OT to the end of the NT, charting how their traits change over the 1500 years of the written biblical material.  Eight one-hour sessions.  Paperback and Kindle.

Renewing God's People YouTube Channel

My YouTube Channel was started to share videos of me teaching and preaching from the materials that I write for the spiritual renewal of God's people.  Videos are added regularly.

+          +          +

Renewal through Discernment - Teaching & Learning Discernment

Worship and Spiritual Renewal - Articles to help with Worship and Liturgy