Hosts: TJ Freeman, Joe Wagner, & Josh MacClaren

Summary: In this episode of Rural Church Renewal, TJ and his fellow pastor friends, Joe and Josh, dive into the crucial role rural churches play in God's mission. They discuss how God's Word, from Genesis to Revelation, underscores the importance of these small congregations in spreading His glory across the earth. Despite the challenges, rural church ministry is crucial because each church is a locale for God's presence with his gathered people. They encourage pastors and church members to see their efforts as part of a divine mandate to represent God's glory, even in the 'middle of nowhere.'

Connect with Us:

• Website: brainerdinstitute.com
• Email: [email protected]
• Facebook: Brainerd Facebook

Hosts: TJ Freeman, Joe Wagner, & Josh MacClaren

Summary: In this premier episode of Rural Church Renewal, formerly known as Rural Pastors Talk, hosts TJ, Joe, and Josh share experiences from their pastoral work in rural settings. They discuss the unique joys and challenges faced by rural churches, such as community support, resisting change, and maintaining traditions. Through personal anecdotes, they highlight the importance of shepherding with love and compassion, staying rooted in scripture, and striving for the glory of God amidst both sweet moments and frustrations. The episode sets the stage for a season focused on the sufficiency of scripture in church life.

Connect with Us:

• Website: brainerdinstitute.com
• Email: [email protected]
• Facebook: Brainerd Facebook

On this episode we discuss:

• Our final episode of season 4. Consider with us how God is advancing His kingdom in rural places.

Host: TJ Freeman

Summary: In this episode of Back to Rurality, host TJ Freeman discusses the challenge of making big decisions, especially for Christians living in small towns. He explains the common struggle of wanting direct guidance from God to make decisions easier. Through recounting his own experience of deciding whether to move from Florida to Pennsylvania, he emphasizes the importance of delighting in the Lord, seeking counsel from others, and trusting God's plans.

Key Points:

• Wisdom from Psalm 37: The more one delights in the Lord, the more their desires will be aligned to His will. 

Listener Takeaways:

• Talk to a trusted Christian friend or pastor about your decision and seek their guidance and wisdom. 
  
  
  

Connect with Us:

• Website: backtorurality.com
• Social Media: Facebook

In this episode we...

• discuss why we manuscript and why we think you should try it!
  • What do you bring to the pulpit?
    • Notes?
    • An outline?
    • A manuscript?
  • Why manuscript?
    • It keeps you faithful
    • It keeps you focused
    • It keeps you concise
  • Challenges with manuscripting that need to be overcome:
    • Don't just read your manuscript, make eye contact!
    • Don't read like a lecture, color your words and preach!

In this episode we...

• discuss why the intro to your sermon matters.
  • What is a bad intro?
  • What makes a good intro?
    • Short (400 words or less)
    • Central to the text
    • Relatable to everyone (Problematize the text)
    • A good hook

In this episode we...

• discuss shepherding our churches through highs and lows, knowns and unknowns.
  • TJ interviews Josh concerning his recent experience with a building that fell through, and very well may be resurrected!

In this episode we...

• discuss not stopping until the text you’re preaching has impacted your heart.
  • What are the consequences if you preach unaffected by the text?
    • You give a lecture
    • You have no purpose
    • You have weak application
    • You are a hypocrite
    • You are unable to sympathize with the people God has called you to shepherd
  • How can you get the text into your heart?
    • God must do this!
    • Pray
    • Meditate
    • Visualize
    • Answer how the gospel answer’s the problem in your text
  • If the texts doesn’t move you, it won’t move anyone

In this episode we...

• discuss our latest sermons and how we put them together.
  • We use the tools we've spoken of this season, and are excited to share our latest examples of sermons we've preached and are preparing!

In this episode we...

• discuss the path forward in ministry when you’re serving under compulsion.
  • Do you feel stuck in a rut for any number of reasons?
    • Pushback in the church
    • Lack of zeal
    • Nothing seems to be changing in your congregation
  • What should our response be?
    • Repentance
    • Romans 12:9-11