In this episode we discuss...

• COVID-19 and our response as the LORD's Church.
  • As much as we want to gather, right now, we shouldn’t gather together! (At least for now)
    • This is not an issue where the church is being specifically targeted. Everybody needs to do their best to “flatten the curve.” There is a sense of civic duty, obedience to government officials and good Christian witness.
    • The Corona Virus is very contagious! Droplets, surfaces, 3-hour aerosol...
    • We serve people who are in high risk of not just catching it but becoming very, very sick if not dying!
    • Federal guidelines of not meeting in groups of 10 or more…
    • Folks over 65 shouldn’t be out and about…
  • So, what should the church do?!? We are called to love one another, gather together, sing songs with enthusiasm, great one another with a holy kiss and worship Jesus…TOGETHER!
  • Solutions:
    • Focus on the VISION! Stick to the MISSION! Accomplish the GOAL: 
      • A pandemic doesn’t stop the church. It actually provides incredible opportunity for ministry, service, evangelism (softened hearts) and displays of love and ways to glorify Christ!
    • Communicate with leadership (staff) and saints:
      • Make decisions with your elders, or leadership!
      • There is wisdom in many Counselors! 
        • Proverbs 11:14 “14 … in an abundance of counselors there is safety.”
      • THE SAINTS - They need you to lead them, care for them and equip them for the work of the ministry!
        • How can we minister to those who need ministered to? Who needs ministered to? How are we going to know when that changes?
        • Phone, text, email, website, FB, Facebook Live, smoke signal, other social media, phone chain, Breeze…
    • Figure out the best way for you to do services, or decide whether you are going to do services or not?
    • How are you going to handle giving?
      • Online Giving
      • Text Giving
      • Mailing in checks
    • How are you going to minister to the vulnerable and sick?
      • Groceries
      • Dr. Visits
      • Prayer Time
      • Ministry of “being there”
    • Remember, this is short term stuff.
      • What are we going to do in the future?
      • How will you celebrate the reunion of the body?
        
        

Links for our Top Two's:

• zoom.us
• Dollar General
• Ubeesize S Phone Tripod
• Venison (Wild Meat)
• HDMI Capture Care

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...

• how your church should respond when shady people come through the door!
  • We've all had folks walk into our doors on a Sunday morning looking and acting strange!
  • What should we do in these scenarios?
  • Solutions!
    • Love them!
      • 1 Cor. 13.
    • Shepherd.
      • Guarding the flock should imply doing everything it takes to keep the people safe.
    • Showing hospitality means protecting those you’ve asked to attend the service.  
    • Trained security team.
      • Do a walk-thru, find vulnerable areas, clearly label entrance doors, hallways, classrooms, etc…
    • Child Safety.
      • Check-in, window in the doors, physical guard, and background checks.
    • Lock the church doors during the service, but keep a person nearby to let people in.
    • Have an easy way to communicate a concern you have to a security team member.
    • Engage shady people.
      • Ask questions, look in the eyes, etc.  
      • Have someone shadow them.

Links for our Top Two's:

• Robert Wuthnow's The Left Behind
• Pastor swap
• Homemade Hand Sanitizer
• Take your meetings on the road

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...

• does your church need a tour guide?
  • What was your favorite childhood tour?
  • Church services are more important than factories, geological features, or art museums, but few church leaders see the need for a dynamic tour guide to enthusiastically bring the elements of the service to life for the people who attend.
    • We ASSUME everyone knows what we’re doing and why we’re doing it.
    • We allow tradition to determine how our services are structured.
    • We allow people we don’t want to offend or are afraid of to determine how our services are structured.
    • We just mimic what we remember growing up with
      • or what we saw at the church we went to a conference at
      • or what some church growth book said to do.
  • Solutions:
    • Know what you’re doing, why you’re doing it, and what God intends as a result.  Effective service leading begins with effective service planning.  Conviction is king!
    • Find a tour guide! But maybe don’t call him that.
      • The best term in the church is SERVICE LEADER. 
      • NOTE: You need to demonstrate this by being a dynamic tour guide.
    • As service leader: Assume you’re the only one in the room who knows why you’re doing what you’re doing
      • Why this Scripture reading? Why this prayer? How should I understand the lyrics of this song? What should I do if my kids get loud? Should I stick around after the service?
      • Service leaders bring to life details we otherwise miss or fail to appreciate.  
    • As service leader: Be so moved by the Gospel and excited about God’s work in the congregation through the Sunday morning gathering that you can’t help but get excited and communicate excitedly.
      • The service leader should be just as excited to show off the liturgy as Willy Wonka was to exhibit the everlasting gobstopper.

Links for our Top Two's:

• Teachy Momma Podcast
• JC Ryle’s Commentary on John
• Playmobil Martin Luther
• Having an event? Ask the community for donations!
• Dried Pinto Beans and Long Grain Rice

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...

• competition that so often characterizes the rural church!
  • Too many churches see other churches as competition because we have a wrong view of success!
    • We had 200 people on Easter!
    • We had 10 new kids at AWANA!
    • We had to expand our parking lot!
    • We had to hire another pastor!
  • How does Jesus measure success?
    • God’s grand purpose in creation: His own glory!
      • Isaiah 43:1–7
    • How God’s glory is displayed:
      • Ephesians 3:10
    • JESUS does the building of the church!
      • Matthew 16:18
    • There is a lot of pressure on pastors to feel like they have to build the church.  But, if you are the architect, the foundation will crack, the walls will cave, and the roof will fall in!
      • Psalm 127:1
  • 3 WAYS TO STOP COMPETING
    • Define success Biblically and refuse to chase after what looks successful.
    • Identify who else is on your team and partner with them.
    • Show your small church how they are connected to something much bigger.   

Links for our Top Two's:

• When the Man Comes Around by Douglas Wilson
• Trained in the Fear of God ed. by Timothy Paul Jones and Randy Stinson
• ESV Heirloom Bible
• bensbargains.com
• Mink Oil

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...

• when we don't want to do rural ministry!
  • Are you called to pastoral ministry?
  • Have you considered the NEED in rural churches for men serving long term?
  • Are you in rural ministry now?
  • Do you feel isolated, abandoned, or less important?
  • Acts 18:10
    • "...I have many in this city who are my people!"
    • There are people in rural areas that need the gospel!
  • What will you do to reach the unreached in rural areas?

Links for our Top Two's:

• Christian Biographies
  • In the Presence of My Enemies by Gracia Burnham
• Renewing Your Mind Minute
• Packing Cubes
• Hand Discipline
• Berlin Diary: The Journal of a Foreign Correspondent, 1934-1941 by William Shirer

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...

• TJ's recent short term mission trip with Spread of Grace Ministries in Mexico!
  • What is Spread of Grace?
    • A ministry training remote rural pastors throughout the world who don't have access to the training we have in english.
  • What did TJ do?
  • How were pastor's impacted?
  • How can you learn more?
    • Website
    • Michael Miosi, Executive Director
      [email protected]
      (717) 252-2046, ext. 101

Links for our Top Two's:

• Simeon's Trust Workshop
• Grace Gems
• duckduckgo.com
• Google Translate App

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...

• how can you strive for excellence in worship in tiny churches?!
• We know from Scripture we're called to worship:
  • Psalm 149:1
  • Colossians 3:16 to name a few
• Challenges for worship in tiny churches:
  • There aren’t that many musicians to go around in smaller congregations.
  • The few musicians that are there can stake their claim on the piano/organ.
  • Some musicians or vocalists aren’t nearly as good as they think they are.
  • Small congregations in big buildings.
  • A poor theology of worship.
  • Sacred Cows in worship.
  • Worship song choices that are not glorifying to God.
  • People find it really easy to complain.
• How can we overcome these challenges?
  • Too Few Musicians and vocalists
    • Help from other churches, camps, colleges, parachurch orgs
    • There are usually more than you think in your church. Encourage ones who can…
    • Advertising and making a well-vetted and inexpensive part-time hire… Lew 
    • Train yourself as pastor to lead…
    • Simplify! Fewer songs done better!
  • Members who find their identity in what they do musically that prevents others from stepping forward, or another need for correction but people are too afraid of hurting somebody’s feelings.
    • Hard conversations.
    • Lead them to repentance for their pride and disobedience as they are doing Satan’s work.
    • 2 Timothy 2:24-26
  • A poor theology of Worship
    • TEACH! TEACH! TEACH! TEACH from the pulpit. A great topical sermon series or one-off.
    • Get involved with the worship team and planning!
    • Develop a Big Goal for the worship or sticky motto: 
      • “The most important instrument God can hear during worship is the congregation singing together!”
    • The congregation is the choir.
    • Take/send worship team to good conferences/workshops/trainings.

Links for our Top Two's:

• Cultish Podcast
• Any Audio Bible
• Place and water plants in your office!
• Yousician App

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...

• why people are showing up late to your services!
• 3 Reasons:
  •  They have not thought carefully about the impact on others.
    • Philippians 2:3
    • 1 Corinthians 13:5
    • Hebrews 10:24-25
    • Ecclesiastes 7:1
    • Solution?
      • Teach the congregation the importance of being on time for the sake of others.
  • You have not thought carefully about the impact on the congregation.
    • Church doesn’t start on time.
    • You start with boring or excessive announcements.
    • Your leaders aren’t in the service yet. 
    • It’s too loud or too dark in the auditorium
    • The opening is inauthentic.
    • Solution?
      • Know why the start of the service is important.
        • What are the redeeming factors?
        • If there are none, CHANGE YOUR PRACTICE!
        • Once you know the importance of each early element, teach it!
  • Other Priorities are more important.
    • Staying up late or sleeping in.
    • Poor structure in the home for getting kids around.
    • Not wanting to talk to people before church.
    • Have to stop and get that coffee.
    • Solution?
      • Make Christ compelling!!
        • Connect announcements to greater purpose of our life together as the body of Christ.
        • Have a moment of silent reflection where we ask Christ to prepare our hearts and help us to focus on Him.
        • Have a call to worship that points to the glory of Christ.
        • Sing more about Christ than yourselves.
        • Etc. 

Links for our Top Two's:

• Clean your study and make it inviting!
• Encourage your people to read two or three chapters of the Bible at a time, as well as a Psalm and/or a Proverb! Tim Challies Reading Plan
• Gunpowder Green Tea!
• Don't get DC Comics APP!

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

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Stitcher

Google Play

In this episode we discuss...

• your email questions!
  • From Rich in Wellsboro, PA
    • Does TJ’s hair look the same way when he wakes up as it does when he goes to bed?
  • From Jeremy in Catawissa, PA
    • On Episode 32, TJ and Joe both proudly recommended shopping at thrift stores, with TJ even going so far as to say that most of his wardrobe came from thrift stores.  Several years ago, Tim Challies wrote an article in which he compared people of adequate means picking through thrift stores with the biblical concept of gleaning from Leviticus 19:9-10 (https://www.challies.com/christian-living/the-heart-of-frugality/).  Ever since, when I think about shopping at thrift stores, that concept always comes to mind.  I would love to hear all of you interact with this notion.  Should you be leaving those "great deals" on the rack for those who truly need them?  Is there an element of selfishness to abundantly supplying yourself in this way, when you have the means to supply yourself through more standard means?  Is this, perhaps, even a way you could shepherd your congregations to help care for the poor in their communities (which is, after all, the intent of the command to leave the edges of the fields unharvested and the vineyard not stripped bare - to make sure those people have a way to supply their needs)?
  • From Denny Dillman in Henryville, IN
    • How do you handle the generosity of a church member? The church member owns an auto repair/sales shop. He determines to provide for your vehicles: tires, batteries, repairs, even crazy discounted auto purchases. Can specific generosity cloud the thinking of the Pastor? Should the Pastor say "No"?

Links for our Top Two's:

• Jonathan Edward's The Life of David Brainerd
• Develop a Goal, Vision, or Core Values using the WORD
• Control Screen Time
• Garnier Fructose Pure Finishing Paste

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

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Stitcher

Google Play

In this episode we discuss...

• the second step toward church revitalization: THE WORD!
  • 7 Reasons the Word of God Can Revitalize Your Church!
    • The Word of God does more than you can.
      • Hebrews 4:12-13
    • The Word of God changes people who have problems.
      • 2 Timothy 3:16-17
    • The Word of God is smarter than you are.
      • Psalm 119:105
    • The Word of God works for the simple.
      • Psalm 119:130
    • You cannot live without the Word of God.
      • Matthew 4:4
    • The Word of God alone saves.
      • James 1:21
    • Jesus commands us to use the Word of God.
      • Matthew 4:4

Links for our Top Two's:

• James Tour
  • Testimony
  • The Mystery of the Origin of Life
• TGC Regional Chapters
• Kershaw Leek Pocketknife
• Book Book Ipad Cover

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