In this episode we discuss...

• consumerism and the rural church!
  • Often times people are shopping for something they will not find in many rural churches.
    • Kids ministry.
    • Coffee Shops.
    • Fancy Buildings.
    • Wonderful Greeters.
    • Comfy Charins.
    • Super Hip Worship Leaders.
    • A Preacher like John MacArthur.
    • On Campus Parking.
    • A Vision to Impact the World.
    • Updated Bathrooms.
    • Small Groups.
    • You get the point! If consumerism is driving people, they aren’t going to pick the struggling rural church. Tragic.    
  • Pastors can have the same disease and may be getting discouraged because they think their church is dying and they don’t have the resources to provide what people want.
  • How can we fight consumerism? - Meaningful Membership!
    • How and Why does meaningful membership do this?
    • Ephesians 2-3
    • It clarifies the gospel for us and others.
      • 1 Corinthians 5
    • It encourages participation instead of consumption.
      • We are a body (Rom. 12:4-5), a building (1 Cor. 3:9), a flock (1 Peter 5:2), and family (Eph. 1:5).
    • It allows for the demonstration of sacrificial love.
      • John 13:34-35.
      • The love we have for one another is the greatest demonstration of the Gospel!
    • We identify with Christ’s people, allowing the church to fulfill responsibilities like allowing the elders to care for us, giving us a way to clearly pray for one another, etc.
    • Meaningful membership says: I recognize that no church is perfect but commit to living out their faith with a particular group of believers. “I will live for Christ with these people.”
  • So, rural pastors: realize you are in a consumeristic world. Care for the souls God entrusts to you. Share the Gospel and pray for increase, but don’t be discouraged when people choose comfort and cool over meaningful membership and faithfulness.  
    
    

Our Top Two's:

• Y-Chart
• Sam Storm's Matthew 24 and the Olivet Discourse
• Paul David Tripp's Instruments in the Redeemer's Hands
• Outdoor Games
• Cholula Hot Sauce
• Star Wars

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