Rural Pastors Talk

By TJ Freeman, Joe Wagner, & Josh MacClarenReligion & Spirituality Christianity

Rural Pastors Talk episodes

July 03, 2020Christian Soldier or Keyboard Warrior?
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.

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.
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?
Social Media can be more of a CAGE MATCH.
1 Thessalonians 4:9-10
It provides horrible context for brotherly love.
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.
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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35 min
June 25, 2020Is a Fight for Reading a Fight for Your Life?
In this episode we discuss...
our five points on the rural pastor and reading!
Reading is refreshing.
Reading is a fight for your life.
"A fight for reading is a fight for your life!" Dr. Martin Lloyd-Jones
Reading reveals your trajectory.
You need a schedule.
Mark Dever's
Tim Challie's
You need a reading plan that expands and sticks in your mind.
Broad categories.
System for remembering.
C.J. Mahaney on Reading
Stuff Rural Pastors Can Use Review:
Need some info on replanting the rural church? Read Matt Hanslee & Kyle Bueermann's Replanting the Rural Church
Our Quote of the Day:
“Visit many good books, but live in the Bible!” C.H. 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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42 min
June 18, 2020A Warning to Those Who Preach!
In this episode we discuss...
our five points on what to do after you preach!
Receive encouragement and criticism with grace and humility.
Be exhausted, but not indulgent.
Excuse to eat all the ice cream, whole bag of chips, etc.
Complain about people from church.
Justify lack of guests.
Self-righteousness.
Expect fruit.
Conviction.
Confession and repentance of sin.
Encouragement.
It’s the Lord’s Day! Don’t unplug from Him and don’t forget to Sabbath.
Listen to it or rewatch it.
Critique it!
Find ways you can improve or do something effective again!
Learn from it yourself!
Sometimes the Lord will convict us when we hear the Word and not just see it or study it.
Pray over it for its continued effectiveness in the people who heard it or those who will see it on social media.
Stuff Rural Pastors Can Use Review:
Need some more storage?! Get yourself an external hard drive!
Our Quote of the Day:
“Could not but think, as I have often remarked to others, that much more of true religion consists in deep humility, brokenness of heart, and an abasing sense of barrenness and want of grace and holiness than most who are called Christians imagine.” David Brainerd
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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34 min
June 11, 2020What To Do Before You Preach!
In this episode we discuss...
our five points on what to do before you preach!
Pray.
Seriously! How many pastors have skipped this?
Get some elders involved…
Philippians 4:4-7
Review.
Prior to coming to the service, take time to prayerfully review your sermon.
Hydrate.
Take care of those vocal chords the LORD has given you with some water and tea!
Exegete the congregation.
Don't hide in your study before the sermon, but instead take time to consider:
Are there any visitors?
How are people engaging with one another?
Is there anything I should be aware of?
Engage in the service.
Sing loudly.
Pray with the prayer leader.
Think through the Scriptures being read.
Apply the truth you are hearing to yourself.
Repent of any known sin.
Stuff Rural Pastors Can Use Review:
Have a difficult child?! Read Linda J. Rice'sParenting the Difficult Child
Our Quote of the Day:
"The chief means for attaining wisdom and suitable gifts and graces for the Christian ministry, are the Holy Scriptures and prayer." John Newton
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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30 min
June 04, 2020So, You're Thinking of Throwing in the Rural Ministry Towel?
In this episode we discuss...
our five points on dealing with discouragement in rural ministry.
You may not be called to be a rural pastor.
Acts 20:28
James 3:1
Spurgeon - “If any student in this room could be content to be a newspaper editor or a grocer or a farmer or a doctor or a lawyer or a senator or a king, in the name of heaven and earth, let him go his way.”
You may have your eyes on the wrong prize.
What are you striving for? Church growth? A book deal? The chance to speak at a conference? To be liked by everyone in the congregation?
Titus 1:5
Your One Goal: Faithful service to Christ and His people according to the Word by the aid of the Spirit.
2 Timothy 4:6–8
Acts 20:24
Discouragement isn’t the end of the world.
James 1:2–4
Philippians 4:11-13
Refuse to pity yourself. Force yourself to honor all men. Love your enemies. Remember, you are God’s workmanship created to do good works that He prepared beforehand that you should walk in them.
You’re a tool, bro! They get worn down as they’re used.
You might need a break or a change.
Mark 4:35-40
Vacations are NOT problem solvers. They can make things worse by giving you a taste of false reality.
HOWEVER! If you use the break to truly be refreshed AND deal with your soul and grow closer to the Lord it can be like an oasis in the desert that gives you enough strength to make it the next break.
Seek help.
Proverbs 15:22
Ecclesiastes 4:10-12
James 5:16
Stuff Rural Pastors Can Use Review:
Get you some Permethrin to keep the bugs away!
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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36 min
May 29, 2020Should Your Church Give Money Away During a Crisis? With Return Guest Denny Dillman!
In this episode we discuss...
In this episode we discuss giving money away during a crisis like COVID-19.
What do we have to offer as the Church?
Pray
Consider from Gods Word what a right expression of Biblical generosity is.
Prepare
As leaders we should identify our assets?
Money, teaching…
What’s in the storehouse?
Execute
What is our plan?
How can we help practically?
Budget workshop, teach people canning or breadmaking, etc.
Our Top Two's:
Write Your Own Prayer Book
John Piper's When the Darkness Will Not Lift
Hiking Poles
Nebo Torchy flashlight
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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41 min
May 22, 2020Gathering During a Crisis: Drive-In and Outdoor Services!
In this episode we discuss...
drive in and outdoor services!
If Lowe's and Walmart are considered essential, certainly the Church is more.
How can you practically hold a drive in or outdoor service?
What should we practically do about:
Ushers
Communion
Passing the Offering Plate
Singing
FM Transmitters?
Our Top Two's:
Communication During Busy Times
Encourage Your Children to Help in Ministry
Elyse Fitzpatrick's Love to Eat, Hate to Eat
Arnica Montana
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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25 min
May 15, 2020Consumerism and Rural Churches!
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
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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56 min
May 07, 2020Rural Churches Are Dying. Will You Help?
In this episode we discuss...
rural churches dying and how you can help!
Lots of churches are dying.
Thomas Rainer: 6,000-10,000 churches close every year in the US.
The problem is especially pronounced in rural places.
Rural towns have a smaller population base.
Fewer people in rural communities than ever.
Jobs are leaving.
Consumerism.
Church shopping.
Rural churches will fall short!
Student loan debt.
Churches can’t afford to pay what a fresh seminary grad needs.
Big dreams.
Books, conferences, and articles naturally exalt bigness.
Bivocational ministry is underrated.
A church of 20 growing Christians with a faithful bi-vocational pastor is a glorious demonstration of the manifold wisdom of God! It is a beautiful display of the bride of Christ. It is a bright beam of light in a dark place.
Rural people can be stubborn and may never have been taught the Gospel!
Legalism.
Tradition based instead of conviction based.
Legacy.
Patriotic religiosity.
Rather see the church close than change.
YOU CAN HELP!
If you’re a rural pastor:
Love Christ.
Love Christ’s church.
Love Christ’s church He has entrusted to you.
Preach the Word of God better than you have been.
Empower disciples.
Be thick skinned and resilient.
Be willing to suffer.
If you’re not a rural pastor:
You're from a small town, but you’re pastoring in a city: Consider going home.
You are preparing for ministry: Pray that your greatest desire will be God’s glory and your greatest vision will be faithfulness. At least study the need for rural pastors and prayerfully consider it.
You are wondering if you’re called to ministry: Go talk to your pastor, your elders, your spouse, your friends and read Dave Harvey's Am I Called. Seek the Lord and consider meeting the desperate need in a rural place.
You are from a large church and want to help: Pray for the rural mission field like you’d pray for any other mission field. Find a rural church and back it financially.
Our Top Two's:
Timothy Lane & Paul David Tripp's how people change
Praying for lost people by using the calendar you already have.
Dennis Johnsons' Power of the Lamb
Cloth Cloth Hammock
Learn Some Sound Tech!
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
48 min
May 01, 2020Who's Eating Your Lunch?
In this episode we discuss...
are the demands placed on you and your schedule eating your lunch? If so, it’s time to take them back!
4 Ways Ministry Can Eat Your Lunch:
You are unorganized.
You allow the choices of others to control you.
We're not saying we don’t sacrifice to help others.
We're not saying we only help those who have done everything right.
We are saying that you should not create an environment where people rely on you for things they should not be relying on others for like:
Sharing the gospel with a friend who expressed interest.
Being their regular ride to church.
Calling you with daily concerns that should be going to the LORD.
Doing all the eldering, etc.
Being a people pleaser.
Doing instead of equipping.
3 Ways to Avoid Having Your Lunch Eaten:
Romans 12:1-2
Renew your mind!
Ephesians 4:12
Equip the SAINTS for the work of ministry!
1 Corinthians 2:2-3
Know nothing except Christ and Him crucified!
Links for our Top Two's:
SLACK
Jonathan Ammon's The Power of His Reign
1689 London Baptist Confession
Short Workouts
Paper Plates
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
54 min