In this episode we discuss...

• discipling our people with Peter Krol, President of DiscipleMakers and teaching elder at Grace Fellowship Church in State College, PA!
  • We'll answer these questions:
    • What do you see as the role of one-on-one discipleship, as well as congregational discipleship in the local church?
    • How does our ability as pastors to study the Bible help us disciple our people better?
    • How would you help a young pastor who needs to disciple much older men of the church who have never have been truly discipled before?
    • How would you encourage a smaller rural church to disciple when its members may have built up emotional walls and everybody pretends they have it together?
    • How would you encourage our listeners to make time for discipleship?
    • How are you discipling your family, and what would you recommend our listeners to do to better disciple their families?
    • Do you recommend any short books, pamphlets, booklets or resources that a pastor can start handing out to a leadership team that is inexperienced in discipleship?
      • The Trellis and the Vine
      • The Master Plan of Evangelism
      • The Master Plan of Discipleship

Links for our Top Two's:

• knowableword.com
• IVP Dictionary of the Old Testament
• onX App
• Strava 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

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Twitter: @ruralpastors

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In this episode we discuss...

• youth and kids ministry in the rural context with our special guest, Pastor Ben Garner!
  • We'll answer these questions:
    • How do you find volunteers?
    • How do you manage your volunteers?
    • How do you shepherd your volunteers?
    • What is your goal in ministering to youth?
      • How are you trying to accomplish that?
    • Are there events you DO NOT DO because of your philosophy of ministry?
    • What’s different about a rural kid from a suburban or urban kid?
    • How do you connect with little ones and teens?  
    • What would you say to the pastor who can’t afford to pay someone to focus specifically on youth? 
    • What would you say to the bi-vocational pastor who knows he needs to shepherd the youth but can’t find the time or doesn’t connect well with them?
    • What resources do you recommend?

The listener question we answer this week:

• Louis Vining from Royersford, PA asks "How would you guys tackle a stagnant church that is not growing, or has attendees walking through the revolving door and using the church only in a consumer fashion?"

Links for our Top Two's:

• Wretched Radio's Are You a Rotten Fish?
• The New City Catechism
• Keebler Grasshopper Cookies
• Anker Powercore

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

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Twitter: @ruralpastors

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In this episode we discuss...

• that good enough is not good enough!
  • What happens when we get comfortable or complacent when we're leading the church?
    • We become program driven.
    • We become metric driven.
    • We have poorly nourished flocks.
  • What does Scripture say about our work to the Lord?
    • 1 Corinthians 10:31
    • Colossians 3:23
  • 7 thoughts effective pastors think to combat complacency and comfortability.
    • I am to work as if I expected the Lord to inspect it (for His glory).
    • Do my work out of the joy of the Lord.
    • Do my work as an image bearer.
    • I am a steward
    • I need the input of others (constructive criticism, input from other pastors, good books, etc.)
    • I’m not supposed to just “get this done.”  
    • I will not do my work to be satisfied by it. 

The listener question we answer this week:

• "What role, if any, should tithing play in Membership?"

Links for our Top Two's:

• Andrew M. Davis' An Infinite Journey
• Elder Board/Leadership Goals
• Wasabi Peas
• Star Kist Tuna Creations

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 motivation of the rural pastor!
  • Why do people live in rural areas?
    • Less people.
    • Less noise.
    • Less traffic.
    • More grass.
    • More wildlife.
    • More like-minded people.
    • Slower pace.
    • Good place to raise kids.
  • Why do pastors live in the country?
    • Where there are people there needs to be a presence of the local church.
    • A local church, by God’s design, is shepherded by men who are qualified, called, and equipped by God.
  • What are false motivations for rural ministry?
    • A paycheck.
    • The approval of a congregation.
    • To express your gifts.
    • To develop a platform for yourself.
    • To feel you’ve earned God’s approval.
    • To save people.
    • Nobody else will do it.
    • You like it.
  • What is the only RIGHT motivation?
    • Philippians 3:7-14
    • Ephesians 4
    • Acts 20

The listener question we answer this week:

• Jeremy from Catawissa, PA asks, "Where do you draw the line regarding when to use a resource from a questionable teacher? What kinds of warnings do you give to those you are using it with regarding the author's overall ministry or problems with his teaching, so that the individuals being taught don't assume a blanket commendation of that teacher?"

Links for our Top Two's:

• Mediator by Ghost Ship
• 8 Signs of True Repentance
• Darned Tough Socks Merino Wool 
• Recon Medical BLK-1PAK-FBA Tourniquet

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...

• pressing on in the midst of road blocks!
  • What does Scripture say about trusting the Lord in perseverance?
    • The Pattern of Scripture:
      • Moses
      • Ruth
      • David
    • Deuteronomy 7:7
    • Matthew 6:25-34
    • Acts 18:9-10
    • Philippians 4:7-8
    • James 4:13-17
• What should we do practically to press on during road blocks?
  • Prioritize the BEST things.
    • We exist to glorify God.
    • The Church belongs to Him.
    • We are merely under-shepherds to Christ.
  • Pursue Personal Practice.
    • Check your own soul, and your own skills in the moment of the road block.
    • Do this patiently.
  • Preach, Pray, Love, Stay.
    • Preach the best possible sermons you can, staying faithful to Scripture.
    • Pray for the Lord's help as you shepherd your people.
    • Love those you are shepherding.
    • Stick it out until the Lord would have you leave for righteous reasons.
  • Press On.
    • Do not give up!
    • Trust the Lord as you patiently persevere!

Links for our Top Two's:

• Christ Centered Expositional Commentary
  • Al Mohler's Exalting Jesus in Hebrews
• Matt Papa's His Mercy is More
• Petzl Tikka Headlamp
• Front Pocket Wallet

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

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Twitter: @ruralpastors

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In this episode we discuss...

• church discipline in the local church!
  • What does Scripture say about church discipline?
    • Matthew 18
    • 1 Corinthians 5
    • Titus 3:10
    • Hebrews 3
    • Galatians 6:1
    • James 5:19-20
    • Hebrews 12:6
  • What forms of discipline exist?
    • Formative
    • Corrective
  • What should you do to move forward?
    • A clear understanding of membership.
      • (Clear inside and outside i.e. 1 Cor. 5)
    • A leadership that is aligned.
    • A congregation that understands.
    • An appropriate issue:  The sin should be open, serious, unrepentant.
      
      

The listener question we answer this week:

• Common Questions about Church Discipline!
  • Isn’t it pushing people away from God instead of toward Him?
  • How do we relate to someone who has been removed from church membership?
  • How do you practically bar a disciplined member of the church from the Lord's Supper?

Links for our Top Two's:

• Wretched Radio
• Champ Thornton's The Radical Book For Kids & Kevin DeYoung's The Biggest Story
• Amazon Alexa Auto
• Speck Phone Case

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...

• what to do when members of our congregation begin to 'bite' us!
  • Where do we start?
    • With Scripture!
    • Acts 20:28
    • Acts 14:19-23
    • Titus 1:5
    • 1 Peter 5:1-14
    • Hebrews 13:17
    • Titus 1:9
    • Colossians 3:16
  • What practical principles can we put in place?
    • Have a heart devoted to and SATISFIED in Christ.
    • Have a heart devoted to the spiritual health and maturity of the body of Christ.
    • Have a heart of humility and patience.
    • Lead well, even when it’s hard.
    • Don’t lead alone.
  • Practical questions to ask.
    • What can I own here?
    • What can I learn here?
    • What needs correction?  
    • Is there an underlying issue that needs addressed?
    • Often sheep who bite are dealing with some kind of pain or difficulty. How can you love and help?
    • Sometimes biting sheep are malnourished. How can you help? How can you avoid this?  

The listener question we answer this week:

• Denny from PA asks, “Is it okay for a pastor to retire? Or should he work until he dies?”

Links for our Top Two's:

• Sam Crabtree's Practicing Affirmation
• IBCD Care and Discipleship Podcast 
• Kyser Short-Cut Partial Capo
• Old School Sermon Prep w/ Pen and Legal Pad

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 call we have to care for our families while ministering to God's flock!
  • How can we fall into the temptation to neglect our families?
    • Being busy...
    • Being physically absent...
    • Being mentally absent...
    • Placing too little emphasis on the needs of the family...
• What does the Bible tell us about caring for our families??
  • Genesis 2:24
  • Ephesians 5:25-32
  • Psalm 127:3-5
  • Ephesians 6:4
  • Proverbs 22:6
  • Matthew 11:11-12
• How can you be more intentional with your family?
  • Take a day off and make it sacred.
  • Family date night.
  • Go home for lunch a few times each week.
  • Make dinner a priority.
  • Family devotions.
  • Use your calendar.
  • Put your phone in the garbage (or at least in another room) and use the do not disturb function.
  • Be careful what kind of load you place on your wife.
• Resources:
  • Jay Adams' Shepherding God's Flock
  • Jason Helopoulos' The New Pastor's Handbook

The listener question we answer this week:

• Denny Dillman from Henryville, IN asks, "'Pastor' is an office in the church, NOT a title. It is OK for people in my church to call me 'pastor'. Is it OK for anyone outside the church I serve to call me 'Pastor?' If I am speaking to the Rotary Club, should I be introduced as 'Pastor Denny?' Is there such a thing as a 'Community Pastor'? 
  (These are questions driven by a concern for the overuse of the word 'Pastor.')"

Links for our Top Two's:

• Douglas Wilson's Reforming Marriage
• Quitting Twitter
• French Press with Good Coffee
• The 4 Disciplines of Execution

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...

• gospel literacy and its application in all of ministry!
  • What are the four aspects of the gospel?
    • God
    • Man
    • Jesus
    • Response
• What Scriptures do we use to explain the four aspects of the gospel?
  • Exodus 34:1-8
  • Psalm 8
  • Romans 3:9-20
  • John 1:1-18
  • Romans 5:6-11
  • Acts 13:26-39
  • Philippians 3:7-14
  • Romans 6
• What specific impact should the gospel have on ministry?
  • ALL OF IT!
  • In Counseling
  • In Outreach
  • In Discipleship
• Resources:
  • Greg Gilbert's What is the Gospel?

The listener question we answer this week:

• Aaron Batdorf from Lock Haven, PA "What level of agreement should there be among the eldership? That to me is the easier question than how to work towards greater agreement? Especially in the rural setting that has not necessarily downplayed doctrinal depth, but it has also not been a focus because it is seen as too intellectual or whatever excuse might be given. Perhaps it's even complicated by the pastor being the only one to have received formal training and there is a deep seated clergy/laity divide? Assuming a plurality of elders, how can they work towards greater depth and agreement that will catch on to the rest of the body?"

Links for our Top Two's:

• Tabletalk Magazine Website
• Samuel Medley's Awake My Soul to Joyful Lays
• Milk Crate Storage Solution
• Google Swipe Keyboard

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...

• inconsistent attendance and engagement in the local church!
  • What does Scripture say about engagement in the body?
    • Matthew 22:36-40
    • Acts 2:42-47
    • Acts 13:21-25
    • Acts 20:7
    • 1 Corinthians 11:17
    • 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13
    • Hebrews 10:19-25
• How can we encourage more regular and consistent attendance?
  • Teach Meaningful Membership
  •  Intentional, Efficient, God Glorifying Order of Worship
  • Don’t just play church! Don’t seek to be just attractional or people pleasers! Seek Gospel Centered transformation both in justification/salvation and continued sanctification. When people love God more, they’ll set aside time to corporately worship Him and be with His people more!
  • Love, Love, Love!
  • Don't measure success using the wrong stats!
• Resources:
  • Thom Rainer Article on Church Attendance Decline

The listener question we answer this week:

• We respond to a constructive criticism from Tim Madden, ”Not to be 'that guy,' but one of the guys at the very beginning of the second to last podcast spoke about the seed of Abraham blessing the world. They accredited the blessing to the church. In Galatians three, Paul says the blessing that blesses the world is actually the cross of Christ."

Links for our Top Two's:

• 1-1 Elder Meetings before the Main Meeting
• Scripture Lullabies
• Amazon Basics Laptop Sleeves
• Charlie Daniel's Never Look at the Empty Seats

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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