In this episode we discuss...

• the pastor and depression.
  • Pastor Mike went through a serious bought of depression. He now feels comfortable to discuss his story, some pitfalls he fell into, and how God brought Him out of it and into a deeper and more vibrant relationship with Him.

Small Town Jesus Summit:

• April 28-29 at Camp Susque

Stuff Rural Pastors Can Use Review:

• Have a hobby that you can use to disciple?! Joe talks about forging knives and how he uses it to encourage men!

Our Quote of the Day:

• This other man within us, has got to be handled. Do not listen to him; turn on him; speak to him; condemn him; upbraid him; exhort him; encourage him; remind him of what you know, instead of listening placidly to him and allowing him to drag you down and depress you.  - Martin Lloyd-Jones

CONTACT

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...

• empowering people rather than doing & leading everything.
  • Being busy APPEARS to be the opposite of being lazy
    • There is nothing wrong with being poured out as a drink offering to the Lord.
  • But, beneath the surface of all your business, could be a lazy approach to what you’re REALLY called to do as a pastor.
    • Ephesians 4:11-12
    • Matthew 28:18–20
    • Acts 6:1–7
  • What then is the job of a pastor?
    • Pastor, the majority of your time should be spent studying God’s Word, praying, and using what you’ve learned to equip the saints for the work God has called them to do!
    • Ephesians 2:8–10

Small Town Jesus Summit:

• April 28-29 at Camp Susque

Stuff Rural Pastors Can Use Review:

• Are you studying Revelation? Consider using this resource to sharpen your perspective - The Revelation: The Real Story!

Our Quote of the Day:

• The Difference between the leaders role in the church and the members role in the church is something that is often overlooked to the determinant of the church.  Many church members assume they are paying their pastor to do all the evangelism, counseling, visiting, confronting, planning, and other ministries of the church.  If someone has a need, they expect that pastor to meet it.  If two people have a conflict, they expect the pastor to solve it.  If someone needs to hear the Gospel, they expect the pastor to share it, and so on.  But, God has not designed the church to work that way.  He has given pastors and other leaders the specialized role of preparing the saints so that most of these ministries will be carried out by the members themselves. - Wayne Mack, Dave Swavely - "Life in the Father's House"

CONTACT

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...

• Jesus and the rural church with Donnie Griggs, author of Small Town Jesus
  • Why did you return to pastor in your home town?
  • Did you have any culture shock when you came back to your rural town?
  • How have you approached leadership development?
  • How has your church been a resource for other churches?
  • And more!!
• You can learn more about Donnie and his ministry here:
  • https://smalltownjesus.com/
  • https://oneharborchurch.com/
• Join us at our Small Town Jesus Summit on April 28-29 by signing up using this link:
  • Small Town Jesus Summit

Stuff Rural Pastors Can Use Review:

• Wondering what to do to build unity and teamwork in your elders, staff, or volunteers? Consider taking them on a "Blue Sky Day!"
  • Hike
  • Lunch a little further away
  • Local attractions
  • Movie
  • Laser tag

Our Quote of the Day:

• Reverent fear of God is the key to faithfulness in any situation. - Alan Redpath

CONTACT

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

LISTEN

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Spotify

In this episode we discuss...

• when church members leave.
  • Our purpose in this episode is not to get into the weeds about righteous vs. unrighteous reasons to leave a church, or church discipline. What we do want to talk about is how to deal with people leaving because it will have some impact on you as a pastor and on you as a person.
  • What to do when people leave:
    • Scriptures to consider:
      • 1 Corinthians 15:58
      • Romans 8:31
      • 2 Corinthians 4:17-18
      • Hebrews 12:1-2
      • 2 Corinthians 12:9
      • 1 Peter 5:7
    • Pray
    • Read a missionary biography
      • Hudson Taylor, William Carey, David Brainerd.
    • Sing encouraging songs
    • Talk to another pastor who will encourage you in the LORD!

Stuff Rural Pastors Can Use Review:

• You got hard wood floors? Are your feet chilly? Get 'em in some slippers!

Our Quote of the Day:

• Carrying the cross does mean following in Jesus’ footsteps. And in His footsteps are rejection, brokenheartedness, persecution and death. There are not two Christs – an easy going one for easy going Christians, and a suffering one for exceptional believers. There is only one Christ. Are we willing to follow His lead? - Hudson Taylor 
• I am no longer anxious about anything, as I realize that He is able to carry out His will for me. It does not matter where He places me, or how. That is for Him to consider, not me, for in the easiest positions He will give me grace, and in the most difficult ones His grace is sufficient. - Hudson Taylor

CONTACT

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

LISTEN

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Spotify

In this episode we discuss...

•  What is the church called to do?
  • Glorify God. 
• How?
  • Make disciples.
• Why?
  • More people like Jesus!
• Certain pastoral rhythms and ruts can keep us from being effective disciple makers.
• What are some ways a pastor can make disciples?
  • Preaching
  • 1 on 1
  • Small Groups
  • Sunday School
  • Counseling
  • Visitation
  • Life on Life (like hunting)
• Is there a better way?
  • Spend a lot of time with a few
    • Internship
    • Empower leaders 
    • Make "grassroots discipleship" normal!
    • Make carrying your Bible around great again!
• Discipleship is the job of the Christian Pastor, but NOT exclusively…This is a whole church, every Christian pattern that the pastor must encourage within the entire body! 

Stuff Rural Pastors Can Use Review:

• If you live in a cold, dry climate you’re not only going to have to shovel snow in your long johns…you’re also going to have to deal with those pesky bloody knuckles that come from you skin succumbing to the effects of  frigid temperatures and moisture-less air. Try O’Keefe’s Working Hands Hand Cream for extremely dry, cracked hands.  Guaranteed Relief!

Our Quote of the Day:

• The motive for discipling others begins in the love of God and nothing less. He has loved us in Christ, and so we love him. And we do this in part by loving those he has placed around us. - Mark Dever

CONTACT

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

LISTEN

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In this episode we discuss...

• There have never been more books than there are today. There have never been more books that people are trying to sell you than today! And we all have struggles and hardships, and things we wish we were different.
• For every problem, or frustration, or question we struggle with in the church, there are many books fighting for your attention and promising a solution!
  • This is a good thing!
  • We have been more helped over and over again by things we have read in books (mostly older books) some newer books.
  • We’ve also gone to conferences and attended workshops led by pastors who we admire and look up to and who we think will be much closer to the throne of God in heaven than we’ll ever be.
• BUT, in reading books and going to conferences and attending workshops there is a great danger we need to diligently fight against or it will pull us right in. The danger of thinking that if it works for them it will work for me too.
• To be fair, healthy churches have a lot of similarity and there are some things we should all be doing. And a lot of the suggestions leaders of those churches make will probably help you.
• But, the template Scripture lays out for what a church should like like is fairly basic and allows for all kinds of variations.
  • People of every tribe and tongue
  • People from cities and people from the country
  • People in places there are relatively few Christians
  • All different contexts! The church should reflect this diversity!
• What does the Bible say the church should be?
  • Baptism and the Lord’s Supper - Mandatory
  • Preaching the Word
  • A deep level of commitment to one another
  • A Biblical leadership structure
• PASTOR, YOU AND YOUR ELDERS KNOW YOUR CHURCH BEST! You know your community best and your context.
  • Don’t shepherd your people to look like some other church you admire.
  • Don’t make changes because the guy in the book or on the stage said you should.  
  • Develop convictions based on the Word of God.
    • Seek more counsel from God than from books.
      • (Pray and read Scripture)
    • Love your congregation more.
    • Love your community more.
    • Focus on the work God is doing right where you are. 

Stuff Rural Pastors Can Use Review:

• Feeling fishy for a snack? Try out King Oscar Sardines, and Anchovies.
• Joe's Recipe: Tin of canned fish, triscuit, extra sharp cheese, dill pickles, olives, and a honey crisp apple.

Our Quote of the Day:

• Reading without meditation is unfruitful; meditation without reading is hurtful; to meditate and to read without prayer upon both is without blessing. - Richard Greenham

CONTACT

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

LISTEN

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Spotify

In this episode we discuss...

• The great divide! 
  • You got your old churches, and you got your young churches.
• What do you do if you find yourself caring for an older, less active congregation?
  • Rely on Scripture. Gain their trust and respect by preaching the best expository sermons you can. Focus time there!
  • Invest in them personally. Visit them. Get to know them.
  • Don’t assume they feel comfortable/equipped to serve.
  • Meet them where they are.
  •  Be prepared for resistance. 
    • You may face some tension and hurdles to overcome.
  • Be prepared with encouragement.
• Things to say: Conversations to activate older Christians for ministry. Conversations help them frame their thinking.
  • Let those older Christians know that they have a wealth of “wisdom” to share with the younger Christians.
  • Senior Saint, you have a TREASURE to SHARE.
    • Proverbs 2:1, 5
  • Not only is your wisdom a treasure, you have a STOREHOUSE of it to give away!
    • Proverbs 2:6-7
  • Bridge the gap.
    • Start adding older couples to a Bible Study that is primarily made up of younger Christians.
    • Set up situations where an older Christian can begin to build relationship and discipleship opportunities.
    • Get input.
    • Be brave! Intentionally set up weird dynamics on the worship team or ministry teams.

Stuff Rural Pastors Can Use Review:

• Looking for an introduction to theology proper (the doctrine of God)? Consider Matthew Barrett's None Greater: The Undomesticated Attributes of God!

Our Quote of the Day:

• You are no lover of Christ if you do not love His children. Love Christ and you will soon love all that love Him. - Charles Spurgeon

CONTACT

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

LISTEN

Itunes

Spotify

In this episode we discuss...

• The pastor and his emotions at church.
• Unfortunately, our show notes seem to have vanished, so we apologize for the lack of notes!

Stuff Rural Pastors Can Use Review:

• Need some cheap and easy to use media content to serve your congregation and strive for excellence? Consider sharefaith.com!

Our Quote of the Day:

• Do you complain of a hard heart? The sight of a broken Christ will break your heart, or nothing will. - William Bridge

CONTACT

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

LISTEN

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• with Stephen Witmer concerning his book A Big Gospel in Small Places.

• No review today.

• "The apostle Paul didn’t look for people who were like him; he found people and sought to make himself like them for the sake of the gospel." Stephen Witmer - A Big Gospel in Small Places 

In this episode we discuss...

• Pastoral contentment in the local church:
  • 1 Timothy 6:6–10
  • We live in a world that thrives on stealing your contentment!
    • Cell phone updates
    • New Vehicles
    • Weight loss drugs
    • We're drilled with advertisements telling us what we really need
    • Love of a bigger church
    • Love of respect from other pastors
    • Love of a different location
  • How much of our discontent is based on GOOD things vs. selfish things?  How much of it is just part of being a fallen human in a fallen world and finding no ultimate satisfaction here?
  • How can you work on becoming content with your lot as a rural pastor in the church you’re in today?
    • Philippians 4:11-13
    • Matthew 6:33
    • 2 Corinthians 12:10
    • Isaiah 26:3
    • Psalm 37:3-5
  • Be sure of your call to every business you go about. Though it is the least business, be sure of your call to it; then, whatever you meet with, you may quiet your heart with this: I know I am where God would have me. Nothing in the world will quiet the heart so much as this: when I meet with any cross, I know I am where God would have me, in my place and calling; I am about the work that God has set me. - Jeremiah Burroughs, The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment

Stuff Rural Pastors Can Use Review:

• Are you preaching through John? Consider grabbing A.W. Pink’s 3 Volume Commentary on the Gospel of John!

Our Quote of the Day:

• Contentment is one of the most distinguishing traits of the godly person, because a godly person has his heart focused on God rather than on possessions or position or power. - Jerry Bridges

CONTACT

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

LISTEN

Itunes

Spotify