In this episode we discuss...

• pastoring rural parents with our guest author, speaker, and pastor Dr. Tedd Tripp!
  • We'll answer these questions:
    • What do we need to know about the kids in our church before we can equip the parents in our churches to shepherd them well?
    • What is the biggest mistake you see Christian parents making that they might not even be aware of?
    • If a young pastor came to you and said, “Dr. Tripp, I’ve noticed that the children in our church are undisciplined.  They can’t sit still.  They don’t listen to their parents.  They don’t respect their teachers.”  And I don’t know what to do.”  How would you counsel that pastor?
    • One of the main arguments you make in the book is that our focus should be on changing hearts rather than behavior.  Are you suggesting that we should not try to change the behavior of our children?
    • Why would you encourage us to spank our children when a nice time out could get the job done and keep us in the good graces of society?  
    • How can we encourage the parents in our churches to see their children as a blessing?
    • Is it wrong for us to discourage the parents in our churches from having their children so involved in these activities?

Links for our Top Two's:

• Shepherding the Heart Videos
• Paul David Tripp's New Morning Mercies
  • Devotions with your spouse!
• Zebra 301 7MM Gel Tip - Zebra 402 5MM Gel Tip
• Secura Pigma 50034

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 5 points on fighting negativity in the heart:
  1. Remember: You have bad stuff in your heart!
     • Matthew 15:18-19
  2. What you CHOOSE to think about is a matter of worship.
     • Romans 12:1-2
     • 2 ways to think about 2020:
       • Disaster OR 
       • Kindness of God 
     • This is an opportunity for the Church to grow in faith.
  3. What you CHOOSE to allow to grip your heart will have a major impact on how you live.
     • Proverbs 4:23
     • Luke 6:45
  4. If you’re entertaining negative thoughts you are in sin.
     • Philippians 4:8
     • Examples of bad things we could think about…
       • Nobody helped me shovel the church driveway.
       • Boy, it’s lonely out here.
       • I want 2020 to just end.
  5. God will help you, and you NEED it!
     • Psalm 51:10
     • Hebrews 4:12

Stuff Rural Pastors Can Use Review:

• Need some ideas about pretty much anything? TJ reviews Pinterest for all your creative needs!

Our Quote of the Day:

• "In some ways, depression is a slow, painful death of desire, the heart-sickness that comes from repeatedly having hope deferred (Prov. 13:12). Hope that sustains the heart when pursuing a treasured desire has faded (or disappeared) in the depressed. What, then, do you treasure? What do you think would bring you happiness? Who or what are you worshiping? What would give your life meaning? Whose life do you covet? The joyous truth is that perhaps this painful depression is the Lord’s way of revealing false gods to you… Bathing our soul in the Gospel message will powerfully transform the locus of our treasure. Rather than cherishing success or self-approval, we can learn to cherish the Lord because He’s lavished such love upon the undeserving (1 John 4:7-10). All-satisfying treasure is found in this Gospel message.
  
  The depressed don’t simply need to feel better. They need a Redeemer who says, “Take heart, my son, my daughter; what you really need has been supplied. Life no longer need be about your goodness, success, righteousness, or failure. I’ve given you something infinitely more valuable than good feelings: your sins are forgiven.”
  
  This is the freeing truth you can learn through your depression: You weren’t created to love and worship anything more than you love and worship God; and when you do, you’ll feel bad. God has made you to feel pain when you’ve got other treasures that you’ve placed above Him. He wants you to treasure Him." 
  • - From Elyse Fitzpatrick's "Will Medicine Stop the Pain?"

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 5 points on losing focus in the rural church by internal means:
  1. Buildings are just places.
  2. We are stewards of our buildings.
     • 1 Corinthians 10:31
  3. The way we use our space makes a statement to lost people.
     • 2 Corinthians 2:15
  4. The way we use our space will encourage or discourage our values (gathering, one-anothering, hospitality, etc).
  5. Watch out! Buildings can quickly become idols (idols of neglect or idols of too much care).

Stuff Rural Pastors Can Use Review:

• Trying to live stream your church services? Josh reviews OBS Software, and its many applications.

Our Quote of the Day:

• "When we are most lazy, the devil is most busy. Sloth is the cause of sin, and idleness the fruitful mother of wickedness." Andrew Gray

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 5 points on losing focus in the rural church part II:
  1. Politics can distract the Church
     • Titus 3:1-8
     • Instead of MAGA, Christians should be K.O.G.I.B - The Kingdom of God is Better
     • Instead of The Resistance, Christians should be The Persistence - Living a Christlike Life no matter who the president is
  2. Hyper-Patriotism and/or Nationalism can distract the Church
     • God CREATED the nations (Acts 17:24-26)
     • God RULES the nations (Psalm 66:7)
     • God RAISED UP HIS OWN kingdom (Rev 5:9-10)
     • God’s KINGDOM will continue to grow (Matthew 13:31-32)
  3. The Culture War can distract the Church
     • The culture war is actually a spiritual war.
     • Don’t be surprised at the depravity of man! Don’t make your only goal to win the culture war, make your goal to make disciples.
     • Jeremiah 17:9
     • Romans 1:21-24
     • Isaiah 5:20-21
     • 2 Timothy 4:1-5
  4. The Church can get distracted by our response to COVID-19
     • 2 Timothy 1:3-7 - Walk in the STRENGTH/POWER of Biblical Conviction, the LOVE of Christ and the SELF-CONTROL given by the Holy Spirit through the Word of God planted into a regenerate heart… and PRAYER helps too!
  5. Rather than have the “perfect church” in our own eyes, our goal is to have a church that responds perfectly to these things, and shepherd them through it
     • Be encouraged! Christ has and is working to make His church perfect, so stop comparing your church to other churches.
     • Ephesians 5:25-27
     • 2 Timothy 1:15
     • 1 Corinthians 3:3-4
• Next week we’ll focus on the INTERNAL FOCUS rural congregations can develop and how to overcome it.

Stuff Rural Pastors Can Use Review:

• Got some free time and want to listen to some books? Joe reviews Audible Plus.

Our Quote of the Day:

• "The day is coming when he will ride on his white horse and go forth conquering and to conquer; but today, it is the red horse; for his church still suffers; still is she stained with the blood of persecution." Charles Spurgeon

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...

• the motivation of the rural pastor!
  • Why do people live in rural areas?
    • Less people.
    • Less noise.
    • Less traffic.
    • More grass.
    • More wildlife.
    • More like-minded people.
    • Slower pace.
    • Good place to raise kids.
  • Why do pastors live in the country?
    • Where there are people there needs to be a presence of the local church.
    • A local church, by God’s design, is shepherded by men who are qualified, called, and equipped by God.
  • What are false motivations for rural ministry?
    • A paycheck.
    • The approval of a congregation.
    • To express your gifts.
    • To develop a platform for yourself.
    • To feel you’ve earned God’s approval.
    • To save people.
    • Nobody else will do it.
    • You like it.
  • What is the only RIGHT motivation?
    • Philippians 3:7-14
    • Ephesians 4
    • Acts 20

The listener question we answer this week:

• Jeremy from Catawissa, PA asks, "Where do you draw the line regarding when to use a resource from a questionable teacher? What kinds of warnings do you give to those you are using it with regarding the author's overall ministry or problems with his teaching, so that the individuals being taught don't assume a blanket commendation of that teacher?"

Links for our Top Two's:

• Mediator by Ghost Ship
• 8 Signs of True Repentance
• Darned Tough Socks Merino Wool 
• Recon Medical BLK-1PAK-FBA Tourniquet

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

LISTEN

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In this episode we discuss...

• our 5 points on losing focus in the rural church:
  1. Fear of man.
     • I hope they like me: makes for weak sermons, poor counsel, and a continual inward calculating, etc…
     • Proverbs 29:25
     • Galatians 1:10
  2. Platforming.
     • Feeling accepted/important based on FB likes, how many people attend Sunday, how many people viewed online, who you know, etc.
     • 1 John 2:16 
     • Galatians 6:3
     • Jeremiah 9:23-24
  3. Woe is me.
     • Thinking your ministry is too hard, the situations you are facing are unusual, or longing for something else.
     • 1 Peter 5:10
     • Romans 8:18
  4. Personal idols want to be worshipped.
     • Exodus 20:3-4
     • Psalm 135:15-18
     • Hebrews 13:5
     • “Nothing teaches us about the preciousness of the Creator as much as when we learn the emptiness of everything else.” Charles Spurgeon
     • “Whatever your heart clings to and confides in, that is really your God, your functional savior. ” Martin Luther
     • “What are you really living for? It's crucial to realize that you either glorify God, or you glorify something or someone else. You're always making something look big. If you don't glorify God when you're involved in a conflict, you inevitably show that someone or something else rules your heart.” Ken Sande
  5. Self-focus is exhausting.
     • Philippians 2:3-4
     • Proverbs 13:15
     • Galatians 2:20

Stuff Rural Pastors Can Use Review:

• Looking for a resource to help train your kids? Joshua takes times to share two books to help: God's Bible Timeline: The Big Book of Biblical History & God's Timeline: The Big Book of Church History

Our Quote of the Day:

• "Live near to God, and all things will appear little to you in comparison with eternal realities." Robert Murray M'Cheyne

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

LISTEN

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In this episode we discuss...

• our 5 points on newer songs to consider teaching your rural church:
  1. Christ Our Hope in Life and Death by Keith & Kristyn Getty
     • This is our reason for living!
  2. All Praise to Him by Sovereign Grace
     • Giving God praise for creation and redemption.
  3. Yet Not I, but Through Christ in Me by CityAlight
     • This confesses our dependence and humility at the foot of the cross.
  4. Facing a Task Unfinished by Keith & Kristyn Getty
     • A rewrite of the 1931 song reflecting on the need for world missions!
  5. Whatever My God Ordains is Right by Matt Merker
     • Confessing God's sovereignty over the universe.

Stuff Rural Pastors Can Use Review:

• Got a stink in your office? TJ takes time to review his manly (but girly) candle!

Our Quote of the Day:

• "Are we communicating a deep faith through what we sing and how we sing it, or are we entertaining teenagers with something that will not hold water when they hit college or head out in to the workplace?...Biblically rich content in songs, sung by people who look like they mean what they are saying, helps teach the gospel as something that is credible and powerful rather than cultural and optional." Keith Getty

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

LISTEN

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In this episode we discuss...

• "Too many pastors are overworked, overweight, lonely, tired and stressed. Pastoral ministry will do that to all of us if we don't step away for a while to rest, relax, recharge our batteries and have some fun." Karl Vaters
  • Proverbs 17:22
• our 5 points on finding refreshment WITH the flock:
  1. Don’t just be the man behind the pulpit.
     • Paul’s affection demonstrated throughout his writing shows he was more than just a platform communicator.
  2. Don’t just be the man across the desk.
     • You don’t want people to see you as a therapist.  
     • You don’t want some professional barrier.
     • “Pastor I hate to bother you…”
  3.  Do things with members that THEY enjoy.
     • Philippians 2:3-4
     • Go to the football game, the school play, the high school graduation parties.  Play cornhole. Go shoot the guns. Play the round of golf.  Eat the weird food someone else loves. Have people into your home and ask them to bring their favorite game.  
  4. Do things with members that YOU enjoy.
     • From gotquestions.org: 
       • According to Colossians 3:17, we should also give thanks to God through Jesus Christ for the fun and entertainment He provides. Someone once pointed out that “recreation” means to “re-create” or “renew.” God allows us this time to be renewed and to grow in our faith. James tells us, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows” (James 1:17). Fun and entertainment are gifts of God, given so that we might come closer to Him. We should remember this when we are planning our recreation and remember to thank God for such a good and perfect gift.
  5. Be constrained by the word no matter what you do and keep working hard!
     • 1 Corinthians 10:31 
     • Colossians 3:17 

Stuff Rural Pastors Can Use Review:

• Joe takes time to review his sabbatical!

Our Quote of the Day:

• "We are independent, self-sufficient men who find it hard to admit weakness, seek help, and change deeply ingrained addictions to overwork, busyness, and productivity. For pastors and ministry leaders, it’s especially difficult; since so much of our work is invisible and intangible, we can be tempted to go into overdrive in more noticeable tasks in order to prove that we are busy and strong." David Murray

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

LISTEN

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In this episode we discuss...

• we have a discussion with guests Mike Conroy & Stephen Merkh on masks in the local church!

Stuff Rural Pastors Can Use Review:

• No review today!

Our Quote of the Day:

• No quote today!

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

LISTEN

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In this episode we discuss...

• our 5 points on shepherding for evangelism in a small town:
  1. We are here for God, one another, AND the lost…in that order.
     • 1 Corinthians 10:31
     • Acts 2:42
     • John 13:35
     • Matthew 28:18-20
     • Romans 10:14-15
  2. Your budget reflects your priorities.
     • Does your budget show an investment in your community?  
  3. Know and teach your mission field.
     • What is your context? How many people live there? Who are they? What would it take to reach them?
  4.  Take responsibility for every man, woman, and child in your circle of accountability.
     • Check out our Episode on Gospel Saturation.
  5. Help the Christians in your church see their responsibility.
     • It is your responsibility to instruct them and inspire them to think of the lost in their circles.
     • They are reaching people you can’t!

Stuff Rural Pastors Can Use Review:

• Brother pastors, thank you so much for you dedication to the Lord Jesus and His flock. Crossway+ is having some stellar deals in light of pastor appreciation month! Find them here!

Our Quote of the Day:

• "Have you no wish for others to be saved? Then you're not saved yourself, be sure of that!" Charles Spurgeon

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

LISTEN

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Google Play