In this episode we discuss...

• our five points from Ephesians 3:10 concerning the church you pastor:
  1. Repent of any way in which you have thought, spoken of,  or treated your church that is contrary to the way God sees or treats your church.
  2. Don’t give in to the temptation of comparison. Stop longing for the church you wish you had.
  3. Take the long view.
  4.  Help your congregation see how much they matter and believe it.
  5. Find brother pastors around you and partner to further the kingdom of God.

Stuff Rural Pastors Can Use Review:

• No review today!

Our Quote of the Day:

• "Friend, what are you looking for in a church? Good music? A happening atmosphere? A traditional order of service? How about: a group of pardoned rebels . . . whom God wants to use to display his glory . . . before all the heavenly host . . . because they tell the truth about him . . . and look increasingly just like him - holy, loving, united?" Mark Dever

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 pointed questions for a pastor who was called into ministry in an unconventional way:
  1. Salvation testimony
  2. The Holy Spirit’s call on your life to Christian ministry: pastoring.
  3. Training, education, preparation.
  4. The church’s call.
  5. Victories & obstacles to overcome.

Stuff Rural Pastors Can Use Review:

• Joe let's us know about a brother pastor's discipleship resource. Go check out 4thlevel.org!

Our Quote of the Day:

• "We will soon be in a world in which a man may be howled down for saying that two and two make four, in which people will persecute the heresy of calling a triangle a three-sided figure, and hang a man for maddening a mob with the news that grass is green." G.K. Chesterton

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 simple singing adjustments to serve your congregation more faithfully:
  1. You’ve got some splaining to do!
     • Too often, we just open to a hymn, or project lyrics onto a screen with little to no explanation of why we’re singing it.
     • From time to time, tell the story of the hymn.
     • Explain difficult words or phrases.
     • Show the Scripture the song is connected to.
     • Identify why it’s important for us to sing this song today.
  2. Choose songs and hymns according to the theme of your sermon text.
     • Not at random.
     • Not because they are your favorite or congregational favorites. (Though this is good at times.)
     • Not neglected for fear of man, not wanting to be bothered with it, etc. 
  3. Ask people to sing with the passion the lyrics require.
     • Rural people can be reserved…so explain why that’s not appropriate when we sing.
     • How deep the Father’s Love for Us is a great example.
  4. Evaluate the singing with your elders or church leaders.
     • What’s more important to you: how many people showed up on Sunday, or how well the congregation praised a Holy God and obediently sang to one another?
     • Ephesians 5 and Colossians 3 call us to this.
     • We should evaluate how well the congregation is doing as part of our responsibility to make disciples!
  5. Ask the piano player to take a break!
     • Don’t worry! We’re not suggesting a sabbatical!
     • But, you can change so much by adding some contrast.
     • Ask the piano player to take a break for 1 verse or a verse and a chorus in a couple songs each week.
     • Where’s the triumph? Where’s the solemn reflection? Where’s the exuberant congregational refrain?
     • Start small: Ask the piano player to drop out on the final verse of a hymn this week.
       
       

Stuff Rural Pastors Can Use Review:

• Josh lets us into his reading rainbow! If you want some encouragement for your prayer life, check out George Müller's biography: George Müller Delighted in God.

Our Quote of the Day:

• "Your voice may not be of professional standard, but it is of confessional standard." 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

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In this episode we discuss...

• our five points on genuine Christian love in the rural church:
  1. You can’t hide.
     • Your actions are much more visible and can follow you.
     • Romans 12:14-18
  2. It’s harder to homogenize.
     • You will be forced to be devoted to people you otherwise have little in common with and might not even like.
     • 1 Corinthians 12:12-13, 18-20
  3. You have to actually deal with conflict.
     • Ephesians 4:31-32
  4. There’s no back door.
     • You can’t just run to another church based on preferences, or to avoid issues, or because you got hurt, etc
     • Hebrews 10:24-25
     • James 1:12
     • James 1:2-8
  5. Greatest benefit: Others will more clearly see your love for one another.
     • John 13:34-35

Stuff Rural Pastors Can Use Review:

• TJ lets us know about a way for you to serve your congregation in preparation for the Lord's Day service. Check out Spotify Playlists!

Our Quote of the Day:

• "If I had never joined a church till I had found one that was perfect, I should never have joined one at all. And the moment I did join it, if I had found one, I should have spoiled it, for it would not have been a perfect church after I had become a member of it. Still, imperfect as it is, it is the dearest place on earth to us." 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...

• our five points on announcements in the rural church:
  1. Should we even do announcements?
     • What even are announcements?
       • Invitations and explanations about our life together as a body.
       • A response to the hearing of the word.
     • Announcements are not merely a necessary evil, but worthy communication.
     • Announcements must either be redemptive or redacted!
     • Don’t let them be an afterthought.
       • Know why you’re doing them, plan carefully, and express winsomely.
  2. Your members are listening...kinda...
     • You have the family together. But, watch out! What is too familiar is often tuned out.
     • If you are doing something you want the members to know about or participate in, it better have redeeming value.  Show that value!  Help them understand and engage.
     • Tim Scheiderer's article Make Church Announcements Great Again
  3. Your guests are listening!
     • You never know when a stranger is going to attend your service. It may have been months or years, but this Sunday could be the day the Holy Spirit brings someone in!
     • Don’t treat your announcements like “it’s just us.” See them through the eyes of a stranger.
     • What about your announcements might confuse a guest?
       • Calling a classroom by a person’s name.
       • Saying we’ll meet at “sally’s house."
       • Not introducing yourself.
       • Leaving important things out that will help a guest.
  4. It's not a funeral, Sam!
     • One extreme, that is probably the most common, is the boring announcement giver.
     • Try to find someone who can communicate with the kind of energy the important thing you’re doing deserves!
  5. It's not a pep-rally, Sally!
     • The only thing worse then lifeless, boring announcements is fiend excitement.
     • People are at church to grow in their love for God, His people, and the lost around them. Some of them are really struggling. Don’t cheapen it by some over-the-top, whip people up method.

Stuff Rural Pastors Can Use Review:

• Joe lets us know about a cool new YouTube channel begun by his father and the elders at GFF! Check out Regular Guy Theology.

Our Quote of the Day:

• Read this article over at spurgeon.org: How Spurgeon’s Beard Launched His 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...

• rural ministry in Scotland with Robert Adair!

Our Quote of the Day:

• "Christ is not truly prized at all — unless He is prized above all." Nathaniel Vincent

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 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

LISTEN

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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

LISTEN

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