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

Itunes

Spotify

Stitcher

Google Play

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

Itunes

Spotify

Stitcher

Google Play

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

Spotify

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

Spotify

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

Itunes

Spotify

Stitcher

Google Play

In this episode we discuss...

• the first step toward church revitalization: PRAYER!
  •  Do you treat prayer like this?
    • A transition time?
    • You have the “prayer voice.”
    • You repeat phrases.
    • It’s obligatory.
    • Fast and short.
  • This is a possible indicator that your personal prayer time is lacking.
  • We need a constant, deep, sustaining prayer life!
  • A church will not experience spiritual revitalization until the pastors prayer life and the prayer life of those in the church becomes vital.
    • If it isn't, we will be distracted by wrong priorities and bad circumstances.
  • So, begin praying! And teach your people the importance of prayer!
    • 1 John 5:14-15
    • 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
    • Ephesians 6:18
    • James 5:13-18

Links for our Top Two's:

• Church Security Plan
• No Prayer Time Transitions
• Airpods (Joe's wife likes them)
• Klymit Air Mattress

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...

• responsible financial stewardship in the rural church!
  • Fraud can happen without you knowing it!
    • Most pastors and church leaders have NO intention of hurting the Church.
    • We think there is a way that a lot of rural pastors are misusing church funds without even realizing it.
      • Many rural pastors are overworked. Pastoral ministry is demanding.
      • What if we told you that instead of being overworked and underpaid, you are actually overworking and overpaid?
    • THEORY: Pastors should focus most of their time doing what only pastors can do!
      • If you’re getting paid a pastors salary to create, print, and stuff the bulletins, or clean the sanctuary, or put lyrics into the computer, or check the mail and pay the bills - you are being overpaid!
      • Now, we're not suggesting that any of those things are beneath you.
      • But, as part of your regular routine, you should be spending the majority of your time doing the things that God has instructed, qualified, and called what ONLY elders or pastors can do.
  • What does Scripture say?
    • 1 Peter 5:2-3 (1-14)
    • Acts 20:28
    • 2 Timothy 4:2
    • 1 Timothy 5:17
    • Hebrews 13:17
    • Ephesians 4:12
    • Titus 1:9
    • Acts 6:1-6
  • Arguments against?
    • We hardly have enough to pay our pastor as it is!
    • Nobody is willing to help.
    • I’m too busy to train anyone. It’s easier to just do all the work.
  • The real problem.
    • Pride in doing a ton.
    • More comfortable doing things they can see making an instant impact.
    • Haven’t thought carefully about what Scripture calls to do.
    • Too proud to ask for help.
    • Trying to please men instead of God.
       
    • Don’t know what to do.
  • What can you do?
    • Pray
    • Repent if necessary.
    • Log your hours.
    • Make a list: what can someone else do?
    • Make a job description.
    • Talk to your leaders.
    • Talk to the congregation.
    • Hire a non-paid admin assistant OR
    • since a laborer is worth his wages, trim the budget somewhere else, or start a small savings line item to hire a very part-time person to do some of the basics.
      • Have a bigger vision for the position than what you can hire.   Start small, but build in ways for it to grow.

Links for our Top Two's:

• 9Marks Weekender
• 2020 5 Day Bible Reading Plan
• Aero Press
• Lamy Fountain Pen

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

In this episode we discuss...

• how 3 rural churches saved Christmas by partnering with one another!
  • The Set Up.
    • Across the country, many rural churches are stagnant, declining, or on death’s doorstep thinking
      • We don’t have the money…
      • We don’t have the people…
      • We don’t have the time…
      • We are struggling to keep our own heads out of the water…
      • We’re happy with things just the way they are…
      • If people want to find us they know where we are…
      • Sharing the gospel is the pastor’s job…
  • But Why Christmas Eve?
    • Christmas is a CRITICAL time to think about reaching your community because there are people in the community who will never come to a normal church service, but they will come to a Christmas Eve service. 
    • Statistics show that more unchurched people come to Christmas Eve services than any other service, including Easter!
  • How did we do it?
    • Call it a COMMUNITY Christmas Eve service
    • Involve people from both churches
    • Advertise
    • Share the expenses
    • Share the labor
    • Share the invites

Links for our Top Two's:

• Personal Repentance when you are frustrated, depressed, anxious, and/or at the end of your rope.
• Hymns of Grace and T4G Live on Spotify
• Echo Dots paired in stereo
• Knack Backpack

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...

• the importance of fiction in the life of the rural pastor with special guest Mike Conroy!
  • Can busy pastors glean any useful information from reading fiction?
  • How do fiction stories help illuminate reality to make us better pastors?
  • Does reading fiction make pastors better preachers?
  • What kind of fiction should pastors read?
  • Resources from Mike Conroy:
    • C.S. Lewis'The Chronicles of Narnia
    • Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's Evangeline
    • Leo Tolstoy's The Death of Ivan Ilyich
    • Tim Challies 2020 Reading Challenge

Links for our Top Two's:

• Lewis Allen's The Preachers Catechism
• Simply Put: Theology in Simple Terms Podcast
• Mini-Cucumbers
• Chickens

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...

• a continuation from last week: Can small churches be effective in reaching their communities without acting like a mega church?
  • Conference initiatives we learn in larger areas that don't translate to the rural area:
    • Evangelism Initiatives.
      • Street Witnessing.
      • Build a relationship and bring them to the big show!
    • Having an expensive and elaborate children’s ministry program.
    • Worship that melts your face.
    • The preacher with 2 Ph.Ds who was trained by Tony Robbins and Oprah
  • What can we do in our small churches to make real kingdom impact?
    • Preach really good Biblical sermons.
    • Administer the sacraments.
    • Sing with faithfulness and enthusiasm.
      • No matter the size of your team.
    • Be the best shepherds you can be.
      • Love the sheep.
      • Feed the sheep.
      • Correct the sheep.
      • Love the sheep some more.
      • Learn from the sheep.
    • Teach your congregation to take responsibility for the geography you’re in!

Links for our Top Two's:

• Giving your money away
• Unbelievable? Podcast
• Mint Budgeting App
• Honey-crisp Apples

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