Rural Pastors Talk

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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

LISTEN

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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

LISTEN

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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

LISTEN

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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

LISTEN

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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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Stitcher

Google Play