Rural Pastors Talk

In this episode of Rural Pastors Talk, TJ Freeman, Joe Wagner, and Josh MacClaren swap favorite vacation spots before pivoting to a needed conversation about rest for pastors. They discuss the common extremes: discouraged pastors who drift into laziness versus pastors who can’t shut ministry off. Then Josh lays out a biblical theology of rest from creation, the Sabbath, and the gospel, including t...

In this episode of Rural Pastors Talk, Joe Wagner and CJ Dematatis discuss why pulpit supply and guest preaching matter for both congregations and preachers, pushing back on the idea that rural ministry is a “training wheels” assignment. CJ reflects on early preaching lessons and shares key takeaways from the Charles Simeon Trust Chicago Course on Preaching: get the text right for the original aud...

In this episode of Rural Pastors Talk, TJ Freeman, Joe Wagner, and Josh MacClaren discuss how a church can become a “reverse witness” in its community when it’s known for something other than Christ. They argue that in small towns, reputation spreads fast and lasts for generations, so building genuine relationships with community leaders and neighbors matters for both practical needs (like zoning...

In this episode of Rural Pastors Talk, TJ Freeman, Josh MacClaren, and Joe Wagner swap memorable “worst hotel” stories to highlight how first impressions linger and why hospitality matters when guests visit a church.  They discuss common rural-church hospitality pitfalls, like locked or unused front doors, unclear entrances, and assuming everyone already knows where to go. They also offer practica...

In this episode of Rural Pastors Talk, TJ Freeman interviews Bryce Asberg, director of a pregnancy resource center in Hillsdale, Michigan, about why the pro-life issue matters deeply for rural churches.  Bryce shares his background, his “boring” Christian testimony, and how his long-standing pro-life convictions led him into pregnancy center work. Together they discuss how abortion is now present...

In this episode of Rural Pastors Talk, Josh MacClaren, Joe Wagner, and first-time podcast guest Eric Grant swap small-town stories before diving into why churches in tiny towns matter and why church planters shouldn’t overlook them. Eric shares about planting Trinity Church in Antrim, Pennsylvania, a former coal town with about 30 weekly attendees, more hunting cabins than permanent homes, and the...

In this episode of Rural Pastors Talk, TJ Freeman and pastors Joshua MacClaren and Joe Wagner discuss church music and whether “better music” can save a struggling rural ministry.  After swapping childhood music memories, they talk about why music matters and how churches often treat it as the quick fix for low attendance or discontent members. They contrast different approaches, from full bands t...

TJ got a chance to interview our friend, Sam Hahn, on why relationships between men in many churches, especially rural settings, can feel shallow. They get to chat about how pastors can help cultivate deeper, gospel-centered brotherhood.  Drawing from Sam's doctoral ministry project, they discuss the need for safe, non-sexualized male intimacy, the biblical priority of men not being alone, an...

Rural Pastors Talk is back! In this Season 6 premiere of the Rural Pastors Talk podcast, we’re asking: What ever happened to Rural Pastor’s Talk? This episode is gives us the opportunity to “un-rebrand.” And with it comes a renewed commitment to the health of the rural church. We talk honestly about why RPT rebranded, what we hoped to accomplish, why we’re changing back, and what we believe is at...

Speaker: Sean Demars Summary:  In this session, Sean Demars preaches from Hebrews Chapter 11 to underline the inescapable nature of affliction in gospel ministry. The sermon emphasizes the importance of shepherding through times of hardship. Through five key points, the speaker encourages expecting and understanding various afflictions, recognizing their fruits, leading well amid trials, and maint...

Speaker: Raphael Mnkandhla Summary: In this session from the Brainerd Conference, Raphael Mnkandhla focuses on Romans chapter 10, highlighting Paul's dedication to preaching to the Jews despite them being largely resistant to the gospel. The core message is about the Kingdom of God advancing in forgotten places such as rural areas and small towns, which often feel overlooked in evangelism. Th...

Speaker: Mike Miosi Summary: In this session from the Brainerd Conference, Mike Miosi emphasizes the importance of adhering to God's design for shepherding His church, especially in rural contexts. He shares personal experiences, including church planting and pastoring, and underscores the significance of scriptural alignment in church leadership. The session explores the Trinitarian nature o...

Speaker: Sean Demars Summary: In this morning sermon at the Brainerd Conference, Sean Demars highlights the unique advantages of congregational singing, particularly within small churches. Demars explores the dichotomy between artistically and logically inclined Christians, referencing Exodus 15 to illustrate how God appreciates both prose and poetry, logic and beauty. He interprets the Song of Mo...

Speaker: Sean Demars Summary: In this Brainerd Conference session, Sean shares his journey of church revitalization at Sixth Avenue Community Church. Initially confident and equipped with years of ministry experience, he faced numerous challenges, from financial struggles to dealing with members' heretical beliefs and personal betrayals. Through these hardships, he discovered the profound les...

Speaker: Raphael Mnkandhla Summary:  In this session from the Brainerd Institute Conference, Raphael, drawing from his experiences in both large cities and a struggling rural church, passionately discusses the resilience required in pastoral ministry. Moving from Dallas to a near-abandoned church in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, he emphasizes the importance of maintaining an upward vision amid overw...

Speaker: Mike Miosi Summary: In this session from the Brainerd Conference, Mike Miosi, director of Spread of Grace Ministries, shares his journey and passion for training pastors in remote villages to study, believe, and preach the Bible. He recounts his own transformative experience with expository preaching as a teenager and emphasizes its significance in revealing God's intent through Scri...

Speaker: TJ Freeman Summary: In this first session from the Brainerd Institute conference, TJ Freeman, discusses his journey from planting a church in warm, busy Southwest Florida to returning to rural Pennsylvania and feeling isolated. He shares how his initial depression and sense of being 'benched' transformed through a deeper understanding of God's plan for creation. The speaker...

Hosts: TJ Freeman and Sean Demars Summary: In this special crossover episode, TJ Freeman and Sean Demars discuss the complexities and rewards of rural ministry. They examine the role of the Brainerd Institute in supporting rural pastors and churches in underserved areas. They also explore questions around effective leadership, the importance of community, and how to maintain spiritual health in is...

Hosts: TJ Freeman, Joe Wagner, and Josh MacClaren Summary: In this episode of Rural Church Renewal, Pastor TJ Freeman addresses the challenge of disengaged congregations. Sharing personal experiences from his ministry in Wellsboro, Pennsylvania, TJ offers practical advice for pastors on making sermons more engaging and accessible. He emphasizes understanding both the biblical text and the congrega...

Hosts: TJ Freeman, Joe Wagner, and Josh MacClaren Summary: In this episode of Rural Church Renewal, TJ Freeman discusses the heavy burden and opposition faced by church leaders, especially in small, rural congregations. Sharing personal experiences from his ministry in Wellsboro, Pennsylvania, TJ offers practical advice on enhancing leadership culture through unhurried prayer, relational intimacy,...

Hosts: TJ Freeman, Joe Wagner, and Josh MacClaren Summary: In this episode of Rural Church Renewal, TJ Freeman emphasizes the role of church governing documents like bylaws, church covenants, and statements of faith in maintaining a healthy church. From personal stories about his own challenges in rural ministry, TJ shares practical advice on how to review, respect, and progressively update these...

Hosts: TJ Freeman, Joe Wagner, and Josh MacClaren Summary: In this episode of Rural Church Renewal, host TJ Freeman welcomes Anthony Caiola to discuss the integration of counseling and discipleship within the church. They explore the importance of viewing counseling as part of disciple-making and share practical ways to equip church members for these responsibilities. Anthony emphasizes the necess...

Hosts: TJ Freeman, Joe Wagner, and Josh MacClaren Summary: In this episode of Rural Church Renewal, TJ addresses the frustrations of pastoring a church that resists leadership. He shares insights on staying committed, loving the congregation, and shepherding them willingly. Drawing from Charles Dickens' 'Great Expectations' and biblical passages, TJ emphasizes the importance of humi...

Hosts: TJ Freeman, Joe Wagner, and Josh MacClaren Summary: In this episode of Rural Church Renewal, TJ, Joe, and Josh discuss the impactful role of grace stories, or testimonies, in highlighting God's work within every church member. They emphasize the importance of guiding new converts to share clear and focused testimonies that spotlight Christ's transforming power. The conversation to...

Hosts: TJ Freeman, Joe Wagner, and Josh MacClaren Summary: In this episode of Rural Church Renewal, hosts TJ, Joe, and Josh discuss the challenges of implementing change in rural churches. They highlight the importance of patience, understanding congregation dynamics, and pacing oneself. The episode offers personal anecdotes demonstrating how rushing changes can lead to resistance and emphasizes t...