In this episode we discuss...

• our five points on pastoring simply on fumes:
  1. Read Paul (Scripture), compare, & repeat!
     • 2 Corinthians 11:23-30
  2. Think about trials correctly and praise God!
     • James 1:12
     • 1 Peter 4:12
     • 1 Peter 5:10
     • Romans 8:18
     • 2 Corinthians 12:9
     • 2 Timothy 4:5-8
  3. Spend MORE time with Christ!
     • Philippians 3:7-11
     • Matthew 11:28-30
     • Philippians 4:6-7
  4. Ask for help!
     • James 5:16
     • Ephesians 4
  5. Take a break already!
     • Matthew 14:13 & 22

Stuff Rural Pastors Can Use Review:

• TJ will tell us about making your smart phone dumb!

Our Quote of the Day:

• "By constantly meditating on the goodness of God and on our great deliverance from that punishment which our sins have deserved, we are brought to feel our vileness and utter unworthiness; and while we continue in this spirit of self-degradation, everything else will go on easily. We shall find ourselves advancing in our course; we shall feel the presence of God; we shall experience His love; we shall live in the enjoyment of His favour and in the hope of His glory. . . . You often feel that your prayers scarcely reach the ceiling; but, oh, get into this humble spirit by considering how good the Lord is, and how evil you all are, and then prayer will mount on wings of faith to heaven. The sigh, the groan of a broken heart, will soon go through the ceiling up to heaven, aye, into the very bosom of God." Charles Simeon

CONTACT (give us feedback, topic ideas, or just say hey)

Call and leave a message at (570) 724-3741

Email: [email protected]

Website: http://ruralpastorstalk.buzzsprout.com/

SOCIAL MEDIA

Facebook: http://facebook.com/ruralpastorstalk

Twitter: @ruralpastors

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In this episode we discuss...

• our five points to remember when guiding small groups through chaos:
  1. Remember who you are!
     • You are a pastor who is teaching Christians the Word of God that will equip them and make them able to handle every situation
       • 2 Timothy 3:16-17
     • Get your own head and heart right so you can model the right spiritual attitude.
     • Remember Micah 6:6-8 and live it out as an example.
  2. Remember who you are teaching!
     • These Christians are living in communities, working in factories, offices, construction jobs, supermarkets, banks, schools where their lives truly are impacted and they are frustrated.
     • You might be the only person in the room with a strong biblical worldview. Even if you are outnumbered and conversation, complaining, and emotion builds, your job is to lead and teach God’s people.
     • Remind them that Jesus never prayed to take us out of this world but for us to not be part of it.
     • Love your people and teach them the simple things that God has taught us to make us different:
       • Salt and light.
       • Good Samaritans.
       • Light bringers.
       • People who offer a beautiful alternative to the brokenness of the world.
  3. Remember your mission as the Church!
     • Remember that your ultimate goal, or aim, is to please God!
       • 2 Corinthians 5:9
     • Set your mind on heavenly things! 
     • Colossians 3:1-3 gives us a great synopsis of how to live a Christian life when everything is bonkers.
  4. Remember Church History!
     • The church has been through this and worse before!
     • Times like this are great opportunities for discipleship and evangelism and spiritual growth and renewal.
  5. Remember that Jesus is watching!
     • Consider that Jesus walks among His churches, sees His churches and holds them in His hand.
     • Revelation 1-3.

Stuff Rural Pastors Can Use Review:

• Curious about swaddling your baby the easy way? Check out these velcro swaddles!

Our Quote of the Day:

• "Do all the good you can. By all the means you can. In all the ways you can. In all the places you can. At all the times you can. To all the people you can. As long as ever you can." John Wesley

CONTACT (give us feedback, topic ideas, or just say hey)

Call and leave a message at (570) 724-3741

Email: [email protected]

Website: http://ruralpastorstalk.buzzsprout.com/

SOCIAL MEDIA

Facebook: http://facebook.com/ruralpastorstalk

Twitter: @ruralpastors

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In this episode we discuss...

• our five points on the priorities of rural pastors!
  1. Bowling is better than ping-pong.
     • We need to be more like bowling balls: empowered by God, filled with the Spirit, speeding toward the target He’s set up for us.  
  2. You are just one part of the body.
     • Pastors are called by God to fulfill a specific function. You’re part of the body that needs to function like only that part of the body does. 
     • Don’t be the superhero.  
     • Be humble enough to do what you’re called to do.
       • Yes, you’ll do other things. You ever cleaned a church toilet?  
     • You need to set your priorities according to Scripture!
  3. You may have forgotten your first priority.
     • Love for Christ, His Word, and His people must be your first priority.
     • God has equipped you fully to do everything he wants you to do as a Christian, a husband, a father, and a minister of the gospel.
       • If you’re love for Him, His Word, and His people is not primary, you’ll burn out trying to do all these things!
  4. You have a primary job: the ministry of the Word!
     • 1 Timothy 4:13, 16
     • 2 Timothy 4:1-4
  5. You are meant to empower others.
     • Ephesians 4.

Stuff Rural Pastors Can Use Review:

• Curious about tasty drinks? Try out "AHA" the beverage!

Our Quote of the Day:

• "Stick with your work. Do not flinch because the lion roars. Do not stop to stone the devil’s dogs. Do not fool away your time chasing the devil’s rabbits. Do your work. Let liars lie. Let sectarians quarrel. Let critics malign. Let enemies accuse. Let the devil do his worst. But see to it nothing hinders you from fulfilling with joy the work God has given you. He has not commanded you to be admired or esteemed. He has never bidden you defend your character. He has not set you at work to contradict falsehood (about yourself) which Satan’s or God’s servants may start to peddle, or to track down every rumor that threatens your reputation. If you do these things, you will do nothing else. You will be at work for yourself and not for the Lord. Keep at your work. Let your aim be as steady as a star. You may be assaulted, wronged, insulted, slandered, wounded and rejected, misunderstood, or assigned impure motives; You may be abused by foes, forsaken by friends, and despised and rejected of men. But see to it with steadfast determination, with unfaltering zeal, that you pursue the great purpose of your life and object of your being until at last you can say, 'I have finished the work which Thou gavest me to do.'" Anonymous

CONTACT (give us feedback, topic ideas, or just say hey)

Call and leave a message at (570) 724-3741

Email: [email protected]

Website: http://ruralpastorstalk.buzzsprout.com/

SOCIAL MEDIA

Facebook: http://facebook.com/ruralpastorstalk

Twitter: @ruralpastors

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In this episode we discuss...

• our five points on visitors in the rural church!
  1. Your website left me hanging.
     • Outdated info, no idea of what to expect, no photos, no preview of staff, hard to find contact info, listening to a sermon was difficult, etc.
  2. Everyone seemed like they knew what they were doing, but me.
     • Confusing parking lot, which door do I go to, no greeters, stack of bulletins, where is the sanctuary, where are the bathrooms, what do I do with my kids, etc.
     • Was I supposed to take communion?
  3. I’ll be honest…I was a little bored, and I think you might have been too.
     • People seemed more like they were going through the motions.
     • The announcements were long and tedious and seemed irrelevant.
     • Scripture reading was flat, prayers were stale, and the sermon was monotone.
  4. People seemed surprised to have a guest.
     • Unprepared?
     • They didn’t know if they should greet me or not. Some people were way over the top. No place for me to go get info. Church was messy.
  5. I might have come back if you would have attempted to follow up.

Stuff Rural Pastors Can Use Review:

• Curious about resources on member care and discipleship? Joe lets us know about IBCD's Care and Discipleship online course!

Our Quote of the Day:

• "Hospitality is a concrete, down-to-earth test of our fervent love for God and His peoplw.” Alexander Strauch

CONTACT (give us feedback, topic ideas, or just say hey)

Call and leave a message at (570) 724-3741

Email: [email protected]

Website: http://ruralpastorstalk.buzzsprout.com/

SOCIAL MEDIA

Facebook: http://facebook.com/ruralpastorstalk

Twitter: @ruralpastors

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In this episode we discuss...

• our five points on planning your first counseling session.
  1. Have the counselee complete a PDI: Personal Data Inventory.
     • Necessary basic contact info.
     • Medical history.
     • Religious, Church, and faith background: Is this person a Christian?
     • Basic issues and the counselee’s expectations.
  2. Set expectations.
     • We are going to use the Bible
       • Our highest authority
       • 2 Timothy 3:16-17
     • Commit to attending counseling AND Church.
       • There will be homework!
       • Scripture memorization, church attendance and taking notes, prayer, etc…
       • Wayne Mack Resources
  3. Explain confidentiality.
     • Our meetings are confidential with the exception of:
       • Your Safety or someone else’s is threatened.
       • Mandated reporter.
       • Elder need-to-know.
  4. Listen Intently.
     • Ask good questions.
  5. Give them hope!
     • They are not in this alone: Other Christians have overcome this same situation, God is faithful! He will not allow temptation to be more than you can stand! He will help you endure.
     • 1 Corinthians 10:13

Stuff Rural Pastors Can Use Review:

• Curious about rural places and rural churches? Read No Little Places: The Untapped Potential of the Small-Town Church.

Our Quote of the Day:

• "Truth carries with it confrontation. Truth demands confrontation: loving confrontation, but confrontation nevertheless. If our reflex action is always accommodation regardless of the centrality of the truth involved, there is something wrong.” Francis Schaeffer

CONTACT (give us feedback, topic ideas, or just say hey)

Call and leave a message at (570) 724-3741

Email: [email protected]

Website: http://ruralpastorstalk.buzzsprout.com/

SOCIAL MEDIA

Facebook: http://facebook.com/ruralpastorstalk

Twitter: @ruralpastors

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In this episode we discuss...

• our five points on why rural churches matter.
  1. Enjoying the flock is a gift from God.
     • Deepens your love for the flock.
       • Romans 12:15-16 - 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly.
     • Deepens the flock’s love for you.
     • May extend your ministry.
  2. You need to build some margin into your schedule to do fun things with people.
  3. Get started by learning what people like to do. Take interest in them!
     • Have deeper conversations than, "How's the weather?"
     • Don’t talk about the things you like.
     • Don’t talk about things you’re most comfortable with.
     • Helpful verbiage: "What do you do when you’re not working…How’s your soul…What’s your testimony?"
  4. It’s ok to have real fun at church functions!
  5. Find joy in being all things to all men.
     • Not competitive? Get over it!
     • Don’t like to be in the woods? Psshhh.
     • Bored watching NASCAR? Fuggedaboudit!
     • Find your joy in helping other people have lots of fun.

Stuff Rural Pastors Can Use Review:

• Spending too much money on ammunition, but still want to shoot? Joe will tell us everything we need to know about the CMMG 22 AR Conversion Kit.

Our Quote of the Day:

• “Satan watcheth for those vessels that sail without a convoy." George Swinnock

CONTACT (give us feedback, topic ideas, or just say hey)

Call and leave a message at (570) 724-3741

Email: [email protected]

Website: http://ruralpastorstalk.buzzsprout.com/

SOCIAL MEDIA

Facebook: http://facebook.com/ruralpastorstalk

Twitter: @ruralpastors

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In this episode we discuss...

• our five points on why rural churches matter.
  1. Rural churches are dear to Christ.
     • Eph. 3:10
     • Matt. 16:18
     • Stop telling yourself they are lesser.
     • Stop telling yourself it’s too hard.
     • Stop looking for greener grass.
     • Rural territory is just as much Christ’s as the cities.
  2. Rural churches reach rural people.
     • Genesis 1:28
     • Matthew 28:18-20
     • Rural Christians need rural churches.
     • Rural lost people need rural churches.
  3. Rural churches demonstrate God’s faithfulness for generations.
     • Often evidence of generational faith being passed on.
     • 100's of years old churches show God’s clear ability.
  4. Rural churches can have greater impact per capita.
     • They can be more visible.
     • Smaller circle = more concentrated efforts.
     • National & global partnerships!
  5. Rural churches are sending people out.
     • Lots of people want to GET OUT of rural places, so see that as an opportunity!

Stuff Rural Pastors Can Use Review:

• Do you know Church history? If you do or don't, read Nick Needham's 2,000 Years of Christ's Power.

Our Quote of the Day:

• “I am no longer anxious about anything, as I realize the Lord is able to carry out His will—and His will is mine. It makes no matter where He places me, or how. That is rather for Him to consider than for me; for in the easiest positions, He must give me His grace; and in the most difficult, His grace is ever sufficient.” - Hudson Taylor

CONTACT (give us feedback, topic ideas, or just say hey)

Call and leave a message at (570) 724-3741

Email: [email protected]

Website: http://ruralpastorstalk.buzzsprout.com/

SOCIAL MEDIA

Facebook: http://facebook.com/ruralpastorstalk

Twitter: @ruralpastors

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In this episode we discuss...

• our five points on when church members disagree with you.
  1. Have a process for making wise, Biblical, and plural decisions.
     • Acts 20
     • 1 Timothy 5
     • Be convictional, but if necessary flexible.
  2. Work exclusively for the approval of Christ.
  3. Ask thoughtful questions and listen to the answers.
     • Create an atmosphere where people know they can come and ask questions.
     • Example Questions: Are you TRUSTING God or TESTING God? OR Is this a Biblical issue or a preference issue?
  4. Have the Romans 14 perspective about church unity and self-sacrifice.
     1. "In the essentials unity, in the non-essentials liberty (grace), and in all things charity (love)." Rupertus Meldenius
  5. Use 1 Timothy 5:1-2 on how to correct different people who may be upset.

Stuff Rural Pastors Can Use Review:

• Need to know what every beach trip needs? Listen to TJ share all you need to know about beach carts!

Our Quote of the Day:

• "The attentive study of Scripture...soothes the mind with an inexpressible sweetness; it satisfies the sacred hunger and thirst for knowledge with flowing rivers of honey and butter..." Charles Bridges, The Christian Ministry

CONTACT (give us feedback, topic ideas, or just say hey)

Call and leave a message at (570) 724-3741

Email: [email protected]

Website: http://ruralpastorstalk.buzzsprout.com/

SOCIAL MEDIA

Facebook: http://facebook.com/ruralpastorstalk

Twitter: @ruralpastors

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In this episode we discuss...

• our five points on prayer time transitions.
  
  
  1. Prayer time transitions over-elevate production.
     • Is it really bad to watch a someone slip out the back or the team to transition when they’re through?
  2. Prayer time transitions can be more distracting than helpful.
     • People watch the worship team exit, hear the drummer lay his sticks down, a singer bumps the mic, a person trips, a person who forgot to get down on time, greeters slipping in late during a “prayer break," etc.
  3. Prayer time transitions show a lack of reverence.
     • We’re going before a Holy God!
     • Isaiah 6
     • Exodus 34
  4. Prayer time transitions model a low view of prayer.
  5. Prayer time transitions rob from the person making the transition.
     • This is a poor exchange for everyone.

Stuff Rural Pastors Can Use Review:

• Need to hear from a rural pastor from the 1600's? Read George Herbert's The Country Parson.
• A TGC Book Review on The Country Parson by Stephen Witmer

Our Quote of the Day:

• "How sweet is rest after fatigue! How sweet will Heaven be when our journey is ended!" George Whitfield

CONTACT (give us feedback, topic ideas, or just say hey)

Call and leave a message at (570) 724-3741

Email: [email protected]

Website: http://ruralpastorstalk.buzzsprout.com/

SOCIAL MEDIA

Facebook: http://facebook.com/ruralpastorstalk

Twitter: @ruralpastors

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In this episode we discuss...

• our five points on the rural pastor and social media!
• CAVEAT: social media can be a blessing to disseminate a biblical, God glorifying message. We obviously use different platforms for the podcast, but we caution why, how, and when they are used.
  
  
  1. Social Media can be a CESSPOOL.
     • 1 Thessalonians 3:11-13
     • It seems as if we have enough trouble working on personal holiness and living blameless lives in the real world! Why launch yourself blindly into a world with far more opportunities for sin and far fewer natural and logical consequences. 
  2. Social Media can be a PEEP SHOW.
     • 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8
     • Not only for highly charged sexual immorality.
     • It seems like everybody has an agenda and is highly trained at getting clicks. 
     • Why do you want to dive into someplace where so many people are rewarded specifically for getting you to react?
  3. Social Media can be more of a CAGE MATCH.
     • 1 Thessalonians 4:9-10
     • It provides horrible context for brotherly love.
  4. Social media can be worse than the sin the CROUCHES AT YOUR DOOR.
     • 1 Thessalonians 4:11
     • It’s in your pocket! It can be a great temptation against living quietly and minding our own affairs.
  5. Social media can be a MAGNIFYING GLASS.
     • 1 Thessalonians 4:12
     • You better watch every step if you are going to walk properly before outsiders, because they are watching you! 

Stuff Rural Pastors Can Use Review:

• Need some new music? Listen to these Christian Hip-Hop artists
  • Shai Linne's Lyrical Theology pt. I & II
  • Timothy Brindle's The Unfolding
  • Chrys Jones' Whose Lives Matter?
  • Beautiful Eulogy's Worthy

Our Quote of the Day:

• “Our preaching is not the reason the Word works, the Word is the reason our preaching works!” H.B. Charles

CONTACT (give us feedback, topic ideas, or just say hey)

Call and leave a message at (570) 724-3741

Email: [email protected]

Website: http://ruralpastorstalk.buzzsprout.com/

SOCIAL MEDIA

Facebook: http://facebook.com/ruralpastorstalk

Twitter: @ruralpastors

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