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

Itunes

Spotify

Stitcher

Google Play

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

Itunes

Spotify

Stitcher

Google Play

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

Itunes

Spotify

Stitcher

Google Play

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

Itunes

Spotify

Stitcher

Google Play

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:
    1. You are unorganized.
    2. 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.
    3. Being a people pleaser.
    4. Doing instead of equipping.
  • 3 Ways to Avoid Having Your Lunch Eaten:
    1. Romans 12:1-2
       • Renew your mind!
    2. Ephesians 4:12
       • Equip the SAINTS for the work of ministry!
    3. 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

Itunes

Spotify

Stitcher

Google Play

In this episode we discuss...

• an answer to Matt Gileskie's mail questions:
  • Are there other evangelical authorities to EQUIP people like me who aspire to pastor in rural areas?
    • First goal: Do what God has called elders to do! Be shooting at the right target.
      • Colossians 3:2.
    • Second goal: Get practical advice!
      • As much as we want a magic bullet or book, I don’t think anything could EQUIP you for rural ministry more than a spiritually mature rural pastor to disciple you and share his experiences, mistakes, and victories.
      • Ephesians 4.
    • Helpful rural specific resources:
      • David Pinckney (Episode 51) A29 Rural collective
      • Stephen Witmer's Big Gospel in Small Places
      • Rural Matters Institute.
    • Humility, patience, gentleness, long-suffering and a desire for unity.
  • Is it the responsibility of rural pastors to promote distinctively rural cultural engagement and reflection?
    • Nope. It’s the responsibility of rural pastors to promote the Gospel AND the same scriptural ministry practices and principles that apply to any setting or people.
      • Galatians 3:28-4:6.
    • BUT it is our responsibility to share effective ways to effectively communicate that truth and wield those practices in the setting we know the most about.
      • Every building has the same foundation, whether it is a log cabin or a McMansion.
  • Do you think that rural pastors should follow Keller’s lead while reflecting on a different cultural venue?
    • There were general principles that made a lot of sense to me and were convicting and encouraging!
    • But it is hard for him to relate to us as rural pastors because he simply is not one.
  • Does Rural Pastors Talk aspire to equip rural pastors in this way (in addition to general training for ministry)?
    • If you look back at some of the examples of the big truths that we constantly pound, you will see broad ministry concepts that should be applied in every ministry context.
    • At the same time we add the context of what this looks like in rural ministry

Links for our Top Two's:

• Empower someone in your congregation to share an interest, talent, etc.
• The Book of Revelation Sermon Series
• The Gnome Mobile
• Neck Gaiters

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

Itunes

Spotify

Stitcher

In this episode we discuss...

• The dangers of big town influence on small town church!
  • We are actually supposed to be imitators!
    • Ephesians 5:1-2
    • 1 Corinthians 11:1-34
  •  We are supposed to be imitators, but we are also created unique!
    • Ephesians 2:8-10
  • Figure out who you are! What are your ministry strengths?
  • Before you practice what you’re seein’ in other church, you better be a good Berean!
    • Acts 17:11
  • What does the Bible define as success?
    • The Word of God preached.
    • The Ordinances.
    • People being discipled.
    • Public reading of Scripture and prayer.
    • A plurality of leaders who lead, care for, and empower the flock.
    • Christians loving and serving one another according to the gifts God has given.
    • People sharing the Gospel AND TRUSTING GOD TO PRODUCE THE FRUIT! The church growth movement is not very helpful.
      • God brings the growth, and our job is to be faithful!

Links for our Top Two's:

• Alexander Strauch's Biblical Eldership!
• Charles Bridges' The Christian Ministry!
• CHICKENS!
• Shooting lessons and gun safety with the chillens!

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

Itunes

Spotify

Stitcher

Google Play

In this episode we discuss...

• 10 things you shouldn't do in a crisis, and what you should do instead!
  1.  Don’t be fooled into thinking you matter more than you do.
     • Romans 12:3 
     • Psalm 25:9
  2. Don’t neglect your relationship with Christ!
     • Luke 10:27 
     • John 14:21 
  3. Don’t neglect your family.
     • 1 Timothy 5:8
  4. Don’t binge eat.
     • 1 Corinthians 10:31 
     • Proverbs 23:21 
     • Philippians 3:19 
     • Proverbs 23:20-21
  5.  Don’t skip the exercise.
     • 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 
     • 1 Timothy 4:8 
     • 3 John 1:2 
     • Luke 21:34 
  6. Don’t sprint the marathon.
     • Romans 12:12 
     • Galatians 6:9 
     • Romans 8:25 
     • 2 Corinthians 4:18 
     • 2 Peter 3:8-9
  7. Don’t forget about the pastors & churches around you.
     • Romans 16:16
     • 1 Corinthians 16:9
     • 2 Corinthians 13:13
     • Ephesians 4:22
     • 2 Corinthians 8:18
     • Acts 15:25-26
     • Ephesians 6:18
  8. Don’t forget about the lost people around you.
     • 1 Peter 3:15 
     • Mark 16:15 
  9. Don’t allow your mind to entertain unbiblical thoughts.
     • Romans 12:1-2 
     • Philippians 4:8-9 
  10. Don’t worry!
      • Philippians 4:6-7
      • Colossians 3:2 
      • 1 Corinthians 10:13 

Links for our Top Two's:

• Kevin De'Young's Just Do Something
• John Piper's Coronavirus and Christ
• Michael S. Wilder and Timothy Paul Jones' The God Who Goes Before You
• La Colombe Draft Latte
• Pet Razor Comb

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

Itunes

Spotify

Stitcher

Google Play

In this episode we discuss...

• why we need more rural pastors by interviewing Brad Gray, former city slicker and pastor of Stonington Baptist Church.
  • Questions Brad Answers:
    • We rural pastors can smell guys like you a mile away. What are you doing in rural Pennsylvania?
    • What were you expecting when you thought about leaving the hustling, bustling tropics for rural PA?
    • You’re young, you’re in seminary, and a lot of people in your situation go to rural places as a stepping stone to get to “bigger and better” opportunities. Are you here today and gone tomorrow, or is this something you really feel called to?
    • What have you learned about the need for good churches and good pastors in rural places? Did this surprise you?
      • Ministry success is about quiet faithfulness: feeding your flock and making much of Jesus.
    • What would you say to someone who is entering ministry, or thinking of transitioning about the potential of serving in a rural place?
    • Quickly tell us how you are ministering to your congregation and community during the coronavirus outbreak.
  • Places to reach Brad Gray:
    • Mockingbird Blog 
    • Stonington Baptist Church
    • 1517 Contributor

Links for our Top Two's:

• Facebook Live with the Getty's
• J.R.R. Tolkien's The Monsters and the Critics: And Other Essays
• Outlite A100 Portable 2000 Lumens Handheld LED Flashlight
• Gardening

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

Itunes

Spotify

Stitcher

Google Play

In this episode we discuss...

• helps for small town pastors with David Pinckney, the pastor of River of Grace Church in Concord, New Hampshire, the co-director of Acts 29’s Rural Collective, an area lead in for Acts 29 in Northern New England, and a servant on the Small Town Summits team at TGC.
  • Questions David Answers:
    • You often emphasize the importance of rural churches planting rural churches.  Do you think it’s really practical for a rural church with limited resources to think about multiplying? 
    • You’ve been in this long enough to run across some discouraged rural pastors.  What are some things that would be unique to a rural pastor that might intensify discouragement?  How would you encourage a discouraged rural pastor?
    • Some of the guys listening are bivocational.  Would you like to scold them for not devoting more of their time to the church?!
    • There seem to be more rural churches dying than seminary grads or other qualified men stepping up to lead them.  Is there anything we can do to stop the decline of the rural church?  
    • We would be remiss not to talk about the rural response to the Coronavirus.  Are there any tools, resources, or helpful hints for rural pastors as we respond to this global crisis?
  • Places to reach David:
    • https://www.acts29.com/network/rural-collective/
    • https://www.smalltownsummits.com/
    • [email protected]

Links for our Top Two's:

• Martha Peace's The Excellent Wife & Ed Welch's When People Are Big and God Is Small
• Old Hymnals
• Checking in on other pastors in your area
• Homemade Bread
• Meal Planning (Great on weight and your budget!)

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

Itunes

Spotify

Stitcher

Google Play