Rural Pastors Talk

By TJ Freeman, Joe Wagner, & Josh MacClarenReligion & Spirituality Christianity

Rural Pastors Talk episodes

March 16, 2023Everybody's Fine...Don't Ask Again!
In this episode we discuss...
the unhealthy culture of rugged individualism.
An Unhealthy Culture of Rugged Individualism is dangerously nominal.
An Unhealthy Culture of Rugged Individualism is immature and selfish.
Proverbs 18:1
Ephesians 5:7-14
Proverbs 28:13
1 John 1:5-10
Our Quote of the Day:
The confessing of sins to each other is not only commanded, but it is also a means of comfort and a help to the conscience. For when we lay bare our conscience before another and receive from him the assurance of forgiveness, our heart is greatly lightened and comforted. - Heinrich Bullinger, Swiss Reformed
TGC Gathering at First Southern Baptist: https://fb.me/e/3qBOjuFb8
9Marks Workshop at Wellsboro Bible Church: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fulfill-your-ministry-a-9-marks-workshop-for-pastors-and-church-leaders-tickets-546364219087?fbclid=IwAR3MA7JIt4z6vdh3nYopBvrQng7dQyu1Qu8EjDbbAcmGTOtPNKT8PLXOu7o
24 min
March 09, 2023When Your Elders Make a Bad Call
In this episode we discuss...
helping rural elders & deacons support each other by laying aside their own feelings in favor of the decision of the plurality.
How you react after the vote is cast matters more than you think.
Don't give into temptation to complain and dishonor the brothers you're serving with.
Instead respond humbly, and walk through theological and practical differences with grace.
Our Quote of the Day:
Come to the expository work shop in Williampsort PA on April 27 and come to the 9 Marks Workshop at Wellsboro Bible Church on September 29-30. - TJ, Joe, and Joshua
TGC Gathering at First Southern Baptist: https://fb.me/e/3qBOjuFb8
9Marks Workshop at Wellsboro Bible Church: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fulfill-your-ministry-a-9-marks-workshop-for-pastors-and-church-leaders-tickets-546364219087?fbclid=IwAR3MA7JIt4z6vdh3nYopBvrQng7dQyu1Qu8EjDbbAcmGTOtPNKT8PLXOu7o
28 min
March 02, 2023Straight From the Heart
In this episode we...
Ask for rural pastors to help us think through what might be good for them.
TGC Gathering at First Southern Baptist: https://fb.me/e/3qBOjuFb8
9Marks Workshop at Wellsboro Bible Church: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fulfill-your-ministry-a-9-marks-workshop-for-pastors-and-church-leaders-tickets-546364219087?fbclid=IwAR3MA7JIt4z6vdh3nYopBvrQng7dQyu1Qu8EjDbbAcmGTOtPNKT8PLXOu7o
Our Quote of the Day:
The Lord measures out perfection neither by the multitude nor the magnitude of our deeds, but by the manner in which we perform them. Let us therefore be diligent in doing what is right, and let us serve one another with love. - John Cotton
20 min
February 23, 2023If My Church Isn’t Growing Am I Failing?
In this episode we discuss...
helping rural pastors see that faithfulness to God is of primary importance. You were not hired to grow a church! Healthy does not necessarily mean growing.
Do all healthy churches grow?
1 Corinthians 3:5-15
What should we pursue instead?
1 Corinthians 3:10-11
How will you be judged?
1 Peter 5:1-4
2 Timothy 4:1-5
Hebrews 13:17
Check out this article from Mark Dever on Church Growth.
Our Quote of the Day:
It is not what we do that matters, but what a sovereign God chooses to do through us. - A.W. Tozer
27 min
February 16, 2023Why Your Mindset Might be Hurting Your Church
In this episode we discuss...
employing the gifts of the entire body instead of relying too much on the pastor.
Romans 12:3–8
Ephesians 4:4–16
Our Quote of the Day:
(God) would never give you so much of the world to lose your heart in the love of it, or so little to distract you with the care of it. - John Flavel, The Mystery of Providence
22 min
February 09, 2023I Ain't Afraid of No...Sheep?
In this episode we discuss...
the fear of man in their ministry and reject it in favor of honoring God:
There are a number of "scary" people within the church
Our fear of these people needs to be replaced, by God's grace, by the fear of the LORD
Job 28:28
Matthew 10:28
Deuteronomy 10:12
2 Timothy 4:1-8
Stuff Rural Pastors Can Use Review:
How can you bless your people in a small way? Write them a personal, handwritten card using Wellsboro Woodland's Cards.
Our Quote of the Day:
I have never once feared the devil, but I tremble every time I enter the pulpit - John Knox
34 min
February 02, 2023Is Vision a Bad Word?
In this episode we discuss...
encouragement for rural pastors to think more about the WHY behind their ministry:
What is the vision of the church?
What should the vision of your local church be?
Let us consider God's plan for the church and how you, brother pastor, can encourage your church toward that vision.
Stuff Rural Pastors Can Use Review:
Are our book shelves over run? Consider the occasional use of ebooks and a Kindle!
Our Quote of the Day:
A Christian, so soon as he is newborn, is born a soldier, and so continues until his crown is put on him. - Richard Sibbes
38 min
January 26, 2023How's Your Battle Line?
In this episode we discuss...
working together in a meaningful way with other likeminded churches and pastors:
We have the great commission as our marching orders, but we can possibly achieve disciples of every nation on our own.
We NEED each other.
Consider Paul's example in 1 Corinthians 16 and Acts 24.
Stuff Rural Pastors Can Use Review:
Drowning in paper work, emails, texts, and a cluttered calendar? Consider a ministry like Ministry Desk.
Our Quote of the Day:
However advanced a man may be in piety or age, he is still in danger of falling. - Charles Simeon
30 min
January 19, 2023Teach Them to Read the Bible When They Hate to Read
In this episode we discuss...
5 helpful tips to encourage saints who are resistant to reading their Bibles:
1. Check their Translation
2. Emphasize the Importance
3. Teach Them to Pray First
4. Expect More, Not Less
5. Start in Mark
Stuff Rural Pastors Can Use Review:
Looking for a product to make anything stick? Check out Joe's recommendation of Devcon Epoxy!
Our Quote of the Day:
“Don’t worry about what you don’t understand in the Bible. (Though you probably should - Joe Wagner) Worry about what you do understand but do not live by. - Corrie Ten Boom
34 min
January 12, 2023Where Have All the Expositors Gone?
In this episode we discuss...
the need for expositional preaching in the rural church.
An expository sermon may be defined as a message whose structure and thought are derived from a biblical text, that covers the scope of the text, and that explains the features and context of the text in order to disclose the enduring principle for faithful thinking, living, and worship intended by the Spirit, who inspired the text. - Bryan Chapell
Expository preaching is empowered preaching that rightfully submits the shape and emphasis of the sermon to the shape and emphasis of a biblical text. In that way, it brings out of the text what the Holy Spirit put there…and does not put into the text what the preacher thinks might be there. - David Helm
Exposition refers to the content of the sermon (biblical truth) rather than its style (a running commentary). To expound Scripture is to bring out of the text what is there and expose it to view. The expositor opens what appears to be closed, makes plain what is obscure, unravels what is knotted, and unfolds what is tightly packed. - John Stott
Expositional preaching is preaching in which the main point of the biblical text being considered becomes the main point of the sermon being preached. - Mark Dever
2 Timothy 3:16-4:5
Stuff Rural Pastors Can Use Review:
Looking for a preaching workshop to encourage your soul? Check out Simeon's Trust!
Our Quote of the Day:
Words easy to be understood do often hit the mark; when high and learned ones do only pierce the air. - John Bunyan
36 min